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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