KORAPUT: It was celebration time on Wednesday at Tentuliguda in Semiliguda block of Koraput district.

The entire village wore a festive look, for it was the last day of the week-long `Bali Yatra' festival. Butuli Khora, Sapai Guntha, Julume Guntha and Jambo Khora were the `Gurumais', the anchors to the celebrations.

Led by Hari Pangi of the village, they performed the holy rituals praying for a good crop in the region.

On Tuesday last, the Gurumais went to the nearby river, filled sand in small and beautifully knit bamboo baskets and brought them carrying on their heads. The baskets were then placed in a `sacred home' in the village along with Bhima-Bhimani, the village deity.

The villagers, mostly from the Kondh community, sowed wheat, bajra and paddy grains in the sand baskets. People belonging to various tribal communities reached the village during the week to offer their prayers.

During the week, the grains germinated in the basket. The fully grown saplings are and indication of a bumper crop ahead.

Token of gratitude

As a matter of gratitude to the rain god Indra, the tribals offered goats to Bhima-Bhimani along with fruits and vegetables.

The Gurumais put on the saplings as earrings and walked down to the riverbank with the sand- filled bamboo baskets on their heads. Hundreds of people from the region followed them to immerse the gods in the river.

"Pancha Mahabhutas are our deities. They look after our crops, our well being and the overall existence on the earth," said Hari Pangi.

Gurumais observe strict rituals throughout the week. As per tradition, they consume mango only after this festival, which would be celebrated on the first Monday of `Boisakh' month.

While Kondh, Bhumia and Bhatara tribes observe the festival now, people from Paraja community celebrate it in `Pusha' month and members of the Mali community celebrate it in the month of `Aswin'.

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