Meru Jatra festival

• Odisha’s Ganjam district administration has banned the Meru Jatra festival and congregations related to it at temples on the occasion of Mahavishub Sankranti.

About:

• Meru Jatra marks the end of the 21-day-long festival of penance named ‘Danda Nata’. Mahavishnu Sankranti is also the start of the Odia New Year.

• On this day, thousands of devotees used to gather at the Tara Tarini hill shrine and other temples.

• Only one priest will be allowed to enter each temple to perform the rituals. Earlier, the administrations had banned the famous Chaitra festival at Tara Tarini hill shrine that attracts lakhs of devotees.

• Danda Nacha of Ganjam is considered as the most ancient traditional form of worship. Participants of Danda Nacha are called as ‘Dandua’ and the chief is known as ‘Pata Dandua’.

Key Features: 

• The Dandua troupes move from village to village to perform the dance which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali.
• They perform Dhuli Danda, Pani Danda and Agni Danda. On the closing day, Danda Nacha is known as ‘Meru Yatra’ which is observed on the day of Mahabishuva Sankranti in Odia month of Chaitra.
• During the 21-day ordeal, Danduas remain away from their home and wear the sacred thread. On ‘Meru Sankranti’, the troupes return to their villages. After performing their usual rituals, Danduas participate in ‘Kamana Ghar’ where a yajna pit is set up with three poles.
• Later, ‘Pata Dandua’, head of the troupe who remains inside the Kali temple for 21 days, is brought out after a bath of vermilion.
• He is made to walk on burning coal before being hung upside down on the horizontal pole till a few drops of blood ooze out from his nostrils and fall into yagna pit in the presence of thousands of devotees.
• After the ordeal is over, Danduas go to Kali temple to offer their gratitude to the Goddess.

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