Berhampur: The religious folk dance Danda Nacha in Ganjam district started from today.Each year during the Hindu month of Chaitra in the summer,the Danduas set out for Danda Jatra.They live a pure religious life in these days and bear physical sufferings.The Danda Jatra of Ganjam begins 21 days,18 days or 13 days ahead of the Bishuba Sankranti.A Dandua group takes the vow for a period of either 21, or 18 or 13 days and participate accordingly.During this time groups of Danduas are seen in different places from villages to urban areas in the district.Braving the blistering heat they walk barefooted on hot roads playing of musical instruments Dhol and Mahuri with peacock feathers and red flags on hand the groups travel from one place to another.The danda nacha troupes start their march after performing a special puja at the Goddess Kali temple of their respective areas under the leadership of the patabhukta.After the Jatra is over, they return to the same temple on the Sankranti day and ceremonially wrap up the Danda Jatra.The Danduas strictly follow the prescribed religious norms in these days. They travel from places to places in bare foot and perform the Danda. There are three types of Dandas — Dhuli Danda, Pani Danda and Agni Danda. The Dhuli Danda is performed in front of the house of the devotees while the Pani Danda is executed in a pond and the Agni Danda is done at the night. In this worship, Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali are worshipped.This Danda Nacha tradition is very old in Ganjam. It is claimed that Danda started from the Hata Yoga that was being practiced by the sages and saints in the ancient times. Perhaps that is the reason during Danda Jatra, the Danduas live life like sages by bearing physical pain to woo the God.Along with the ritual performance in day time,in the night cultural programs are arranged for their entertainment and to keep them awake.As per the tradition, at the night,the cultural performances take place after Kalishi dance by the Patabhukta.This is a religeous dance where the Patabhokta plays dance while wearing the parabha.In the day time the Danduas pour the holy water in front of the house of the devotee, who invites them for the Danda.
