A Short Trip to Kandhamal (part-I)

Kandhamal is one of the beautiful and scenic districts of Odisha. Phulbani is its headquarter.

This was my first visit to the place. Due to cloudy weather and rainy season though we were excited to have a beautiful sight of white clouds over hill ranges, there were also challenges to visit interior areas, because we were on bikes and we were in a hope to visit maximum possible spots in a short span of time. The whole credit for arranging and executing the tour goes to my friends Balaram, Swarupa and & Subhendu. Thank You Guys.

I hope you will enjoy the photographs.

The scenic Kandhamal

Turmeric Farm: In turmeric market there is always a special place for Kandhamal Haldi. Therefore it is the main source of livelihood for the rural people of Kandhamal.

Gai Gotha: Livestock is the second major source of livelihood for many tribal families.

Podu Chasa: Shifting cultivation is an old practice of Dongria Kondhs for livelihood, that still exists today. 

Gunjibari Water Stream

Gunjibari Water Stream

Gunjibari water Stream

Adivasi Water Stream near Kirikuti Village

Adivasi Water Stream near Kirikuti Village

Emu farm near Kirikuti Village

The farm keeper with an emu egg

Emu egg

This was the first phase of the tour. In next part I will upload the photographs of Daringbadi, known as the Kashmir of Odisha. 

Must Watch. Thank You.

PAATA PARVA of Chadak Mela

Chadak Mela is celebrated at temples of Lord Shiva in (North) Balasore of Odisha and some parts of West Bengal. It is celebrated in the month of Chaitra every year.

More than 150 years old Shiv Temple of Sibasahi Village

Chadak Mela is observed in two phases - Nila Parva (1st Day) and Paata Parva (2nd Day). Legend has it that Lord Shiva had secretly married Kamini (daughter of demon Nila) during the month of Chaitra. 

A tiny umbrella made up of silver in front of Shiv temple

The Nila Parva is held to celebrate the marriage. During Paata Parva, devotees (Bhaktas) get their skin, tongue and body pierced with iron nails and move around in a procession. People flock to the temple to witness this ritual.

Bhakta (Devotees) are giving a pose to camera.

Before 13 days to Chadak Mela the Bhaktas (devotees) accept Paita (Holy Thread) and Beta (Cane). From that day they live like a monk and follow strict rules till the end of Chadak Mela. Everyday they come to temple and worship Lord Shiva. In day time they do not take any kind of food, not even swallow their spit. Only at night they take food. They wear dhoti and cover their body with a gamuchha (towel). They always walk with bare foot instead of wearing any shoes or chappal.

Priests, devotees and villagers are worshiping the symbolic idol of Lord Shiva at Hakanda Pokhari (Pond). 

On the day of Paata priests, devotees and villagers gathered at a pond called Hakanda Pokhari and worship a symbolic idol of Lord Shiva. The iron nails are sanctified by the priest.

Experienced persons are piercing iron nails on the back of a devotee. 

A Bhakta is ready to take 700 sewing nails on his body.

After the sanctification of nails devotees get their skin, tongue and body pierced by the experienced persons.

Kaliya Dalan: A devotee get his back pierced with nails arranged to form the shape of Kaliya Naga. Each nail head is designed as the hood of a snake.

A close look to the backs of two devotees.

Bhakta with 700 nails..

Some devotees act as mythological characters like Bhima, Duryodhan, Hanuman, Shiva and Parvati etc. to entertain spectators.

At evening, devotees take the blessing of Lord Shiva and a procession starts from Hakanda Pokhari to the Shiv Temple.

A devotee is taking blessings of Lord Shiva.

Devotees are dancing in the procession.

 After reaching Shiv Temple devotees dance at their level best to please Lord Shiva and to entertain people present at the temple.

Bhima and Duryodhan are doing Gadaa Yudhh.

Bhima and Duryodhan are wrestling.

The Monkeys are playing with Bhima.

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RITURAJ Live

SCHOOL TIME

In last few weeks, it seems that people are very conscious about the School Kids. About their Mid-Day Meal, about their facilities in school, about their freedom, about their right, and about their future. It is good.

But what about those who don't go to school? Never got an opportunity to go to school? Don't they need healthy food? Freedom? Right??

When will they enjoy their SCHOOL TIME?

(This are the photos of child labors and scrap collectors in Bhubaneswar. And all these photos have been shot during the school time i.e. 9.30 AM-10.30 AM)