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Fairs & Festivals of Orissa |
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Hingula
Yatra Most of the
festivals prevalent among the low-caste Hindus
are either associated with the worship of
Shakti or Shiva It is believed to have grown
out of the mass religious culture of the
people under the spell of Tantrism in the
remote past. One such festival is
Hingula Yatra or Patua Yatra. There
is a popular belief among the local people
that on this day of Visuba Sankranti Goddess
Hingula appears and propitiation to Her
removes all evil forces. She is worshipped in
the village street on Her imaginary stride to
the village. Offering to Her includes spitted
new cloth, Pana(sweet-water), butter lamp and
green mangoes.
In remote villages this festival is observed
with much austerity. Those who observe
fasting, especially women are called 'Osati'.
Prior to the day of worship the fasting
worshippers (mostly men) move from village to
village with the sacred-pitcher symbolising
the Goddess. Their religious procession is
always accompanied by singing and dancing.
These worshippers are called Patuas. The man
who dances with the holy-pitcher on his head
wears a black skirt, a red blouse and a long
piece of black cloth tightly covering the head
and having equal length on both sides to flow.
While dancing, the Patua holds the ends of the
cloth and moves them artistically with
stretched arms in perfect harmony to the
rhythmic pattern. Sometimes he dances on the
stilts and performs difficult Yogasanas
balancing on the head, the staff that holds
the holy-pitcher (Ghata). A big brass bell
played with a cane-stick provides various
peculiar rhythms. Sometimes country drums are
also played.
The head of the patuas is called Bada-Patua or
Katha Patua. All the Patuas observe fasting on
this day. In the afternoon they assemble near
a tank or river where all the rituals take
place. The priest performing the rites is
always a non-brahmin known as 'Jadua' or 'Dehuri'.
During the rituals men, women and children of
the villages congregate The surrounding
reverberates with auspicious 'Hulahuli' (a
shrill sound made by wagging the tongue inside
the mouth) and 'Hari Bol' cheers of men. Then,
sharp iron hooks are pierced through the skins
on the back of the Patuas. During this
ceremony the morale of the Patuas are boosted
through holy cheers of the onlookers and they
themselves loudly continue singing in praise
of Hingula or Mangala.
In some areas Jhamu Yatra is organised.
Persons observing Brata or vow in honour of
the deity walk on thorns and on the bed of
live charcoal amidst holy cheers and loud
drumming. Those who walk on fire are known as
Nian Patua (Nian for fire) and those on thorns
are called Kanta Patua (Kanta for thorn). Some
worshippers stand on edged swords and are
carried on open palanquins. They are caned
Khanda Patua (Khanda for sword). Some of them
show some feats in deep water. They are called
Pani Patuas (Pani for water). Especially all
these festivals are celebrated a Shiva or
Shakti Shrine. Therefore, scholars are of
opinion that these rituals, of inflicting
injury to the persons by the devotees are
related to the Tantra culture. By doing these
they try to draw the kind attention of the God
or Goddess whom they seek to propitiate.
Uda Parab:
In some areas especially in Mayurbhanj and
Keonjhar districts of Orissa of flying
festival popularly known as Uda Parab is
observed. The participating devotees of this
festival are called Bhokta or Bhakta. As in
similar other festivals, almost all the
devotees belong to the low-caste Hindus.
In a village field a long staff is fixed
horizontally on a perpendicular pole. The
Bhoktas, after having the ceremonial bath and
other rituals in a nearby river, move dancing
in a procession to this place accompanied by a
cheering crowd and loud beating of drums.
There a huge congregation enthusiastically
awaits their arrival. Then, one by one, they
are tied to the horizontal staff with a long
cloth at the shoulders. Ankle-bells are fitted
on their feet. Some devotees are not tied.
They simply hold on the staff with one hand
and move hanging. With the help of a rope
fixed to the perpendicular staff they are
moved roundand round by a person below.
Profusely garlanded, the Bhokta flying at a
height throws flowers from his garlands and
green mangoes to the onlooking audience below,
who collect them with great enthusiasm as
precious possession. After this ceremony the
Bhoktas go to the nearby temple and offer
offerings and prayers to Shiva, Hingula,
Mangala.
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Religious Festivals
Major Religious Festivals:
Mahashiva Ratri, Durga Puja,
Ganesha
Chaturthi, Lakshmi
Puja, Deepavali,
Dusserah,
Dola
Purnima (Holi),
Akshyaya Trutiya,
Gahma
Purnima,
Makara
Sankranti, Ashokashtami,
Nuakhai,
Basanta
Panchami, Hingula
Yatra, Prathamastami,
Baseli Puja,
Janmastami,
Raja
Sankranti,
Chaitra
Parba, Kartika Purnima,
Rama Navami,
Khudurukuni
Osa, Savitri Brata,
Dhanu Yatra,
Kumar
Purnima, Shamba
Dasami, Sital Shashti,
Magha
Saptami,
Visuva
Samkranti,
Viswakarma
Puja.
Jagannath Temple Festivals
Major
Jagannath Temple Festivals:
Rath Yatra,
Chandan
Yatra,
Devasnana Purnima,
Basanta
Panchami,
Chitou
Amavasya, Nava
Kalebara.
Special festivals
Major Special Festivals:
Puri
Beach Festival,
Konark
Festival,
Kalinga
Mahotsav,
Raja Rani
Music Festival,
Shreekstra
Utsav, Ekamra Utsav,
Dhauli Mahatsova,
Folk Dance Festival,
Khandagiri Festival,
Konark Dance & Music
Festival,
Parab
Festival
Tribal Festivals
Major Tribal Festivals:
Chaita Parva,
Karama
Festival, Bali Jatra,
Sume-Gelirak,
Bija Pandu,
Kedu Festival,
Maghe Parab
Fairs & Exhibitions
Major Fairs & Exibitions:
Bali
Yatra, Magha Mela,
Taratarini
Mela, Joranda Mela,
Makar Mela
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