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`Kandula Jatara' begins in Kandhamal district

Staff Reporter

BERHAMPUR: With the onset of `Chaitra' unique `Kandula Jatra' celebrations have started in rural tribal pockets as well as urban areas of Kandhamal district.

Traditional rituals

Usually traditional rituals to welcome Hindu New Year include ritual offerings made from recently harvested cereals.

But in tribal dominated Kandhamal district, the month-long celebration of tribal origin involves offerings made from pulses `Kandula', grown in tribal areas of the State.

According to Bansidhar Panda of Baliguda, people from outside the district, who have settled in the district, have also started to celebrate this unique festival to usher New Year.

The celebrations start with villagers reaching the house of tribal priest `Dehuri' with the beats of drums and cymbals.

The Dehuri then leads the troupe to the home of village chief or the family head of representative of the erstwhile king.

The whole village then turns up at the temple of `Baral Devi' at the village with their traditional arms and offerings made from 'Kandula' in their hands.

People greet each other with colours after the puja and a community feast is held.

Mr Panda said as per traditional beliefs no one in Kandhamal district cooks newly harvested pulses before the `Kandula Jatra' celebrations at the village.

According to him even Muslim families at Baliguda take part in `Kandula Jatra' as since generations they are attached to tribal heritage of the area.

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