Odisha: Berhampur Comes Alive With ‘Guru Nanak Besha’ Procession During Thakurani Yatra

Berhampur: With Berhampur city in Odisha’s Ganjam district celebrating Thakurani Yatra, people dressed like mythological characters and animals like tigers have come out to the streets. On Sunday, people in ‘Guru Nanak Besha’ stole the show.

Around 40 people from Dalua Sahi in the city, irrespective of age, were dressed up like Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism and the first of the 10 Sikh Gurus. “This is the ‘besha’ (attire) of peace and friendship and proves how the Budhi Thakurani is worshipped by all,” said Laba Prasad Dalei, secretary, Dalua Sahi Puja Committee.

The Guru Nanak procession started from Narasingha Temple in Dalua Sahi and went around the city.

The Guru Nanak besha is a tradition that dates back to 1925. It started with some Sikh soldiers in the British Army, who were staying at Military Line in Berhampur, dressed up like ‘Guru Nanak’ during Thakurani Yatra, moved around the city reciting Guruvani and devotional songs and reached the temporary abode of the Goddess to offer prayer to her.

“The Sikhs were guarding the ‘Ghatas’ of the Goddess during the Sahi Parikrama. The people of Dalua sahi had a good rapport with them. After Independence, Sikh soldiers left the Military Line. But we kept the tradition alive. We also recite Gurvani, Dasabatar and songs in praise of Maa Budhi Thakurani,” Dalei said.

Hrushikesh Panigrahi, who has published an informative booklet on Thakurani Yatra after a through research, said the present organisers of ‘Guru Nanak Besha’ inherit an ancient register which is the amalgamation of Sikh and Odia language.