“Danda Nacha” ends with blooddrops as a last sacrifice

Berhampur: On Sunday, on Maha Bishuba Sankranti, the drum, cymbal, and conch shell beat that had been resonating for the previous 21 days for “Danda Nacha” in the Ganjam district came to an end. Drops of blood were offered as a last sacrifice to the mother goddess at the end.

The Ganjam people also refer to it as “Meru Sankranti.” This day’s celebrations are known as “Meru Jatra.” It also falls on the first day of the Odia New Year.

Hence, on this day, the Bhoktas or Danduas, who choose a life of severe penance for three weeks before joining the “Danda Nacha” troupes, conclude their time of intense austerity and penance. They go from their cozy homes to joyfully do their penance in honor of the mother goddess, “Danda Kali.” They go back to their houses after “Meru Jatra.”

To participate in the last rites, a sizable crowd gathered at Danda Kali temples located around Ganjam. At the Danda Kali temples in Berhampur, “Meru Jatra” was observed at New Bus Stand, Panigrahipentha, Diamond Tank Road, Bijipur, Ambapua, and Anand Sarani.

Huge crowds flocked to the locations to get a glimpse of “Pata Bhoktas'” (leader of the “Danda Nacha” company) last offering. Other “Danduas” guided the “Pata Bhoktas” to the Danda Kali temples after their ceremonial showers. The “Pata Bhoktas” had their bodies covered with a unique paste made of turmeric and other plants while wearing blindfolds. They were blindfolded and hanging upside down over a fire pit. Adherents cheered as they were pushed to the point when three droplets of blood dripped into the flames from their noses.

The dance, which has a clean legacy, is performed in Ganjam during the month of “Chaitra.” The period starts on 13, 18, or 21 days before Bishubha Sankranti and ends on Meru Sankranti. According to historians, Tantrism originated in the eighth and ninth centuries AD, after the decline of Buddhism in Orissa.

In order to please the goddesses, the “Danduas” endure great suffering and adversity because they think the goddesses will grant their wishes. Others do it as a way of giving thanks to the goddesses for granting their wishes.

Typically, the Danduas reside close to a temple or other hallowed location. They spend the whole day apart from their loved ones in order to focus on worship. In the morning, they depart to the sound of trumpets and conch shells being blown. The people ask for blessings as they march in rows with red and yellow flags.

Every day, “danduas” play in front of one house and on the streets at the request of the homeowner. Groups of forty to one hundred “Danduas” perform the dance, which costs thousands of rupees. “Bada Patta Dandua” or “Bada Patta Bhukta” is the group’s leader. The dancing troupe is selected with great care. There is a rigorous clothing code that prohibits wearing anything other than white, yellow, or saffron. The gods are held aloft by peacock feathers and housed in a little crimson box. The “Danduas” only eat once a day and wait until dusk for “Pani Danda” to sip water. There is no caste barrier to participation, despite the dance’s ceremonial nature.