Bahalda: Ind Parab of Mayurbhanj is a unique festival deeply intertwined with agriculture, and is known for fostering a spirit of brotherhood among the locals here.
Also known as Indrotsav, the festival is observed at the shrine of Goddess Kichakeswari in Bahalda. The temple of the Goddess is located at Khiching.
According to locals and historians, Mayurbhanj is famous for the abode of Goddess Kichakeswari. The kings of Bhanja dynasty had established their rule in Khiching for over 1,500 years.
Khiching was the capital of Bhanja kings, but it crumbled to ruins here after the invasion of the Mughals. Later, the capital was shifted to Bahalda where the Goddess is worshipped as the presiding deity.
The festival is observed on Ekadasi Tithi in the month of Bhadrab, and the day is known as Baman Janma.
The preparation for the festival begins after Saptapuri Amavasya. A sacred sal tree is selected on the basis of certain unique parameters to be used in the festival. In the current year, a 50-ft tall sal tree was selected from the Kantashola forest near Gambharia.
Priests and members of the temple trust solemnised rituals and brought it to Ind ground. On Dasami, a set of rituals called Adhasarga is organised.
On Ekadasi (Tuesday), the idols of Lord Krishna and Radha are shifted to the temple of the Goddess from Gouranga math. Later, the Rajpurohit (chief priest) Ashok Kumar Samantray carries a ‘dhanda/jasti’ (a sacred stick, which is worshipped near the Goddess) to Ind ground amid eight types of musical instruments are played, in a Baishna tradition.
The ritual of Ghatastapan went on for hours after which priests worshipped an earthen idol of Lord Indra ensconced on an elephant image under a canopy, idols of Gobinda, Radha and Krishna, Astakula Naganaguni, Nabagraha mandal, Dasadigapal and Sabitri mandal and the sacred stick of the Goddess.
As per tradition, the family of Chhatish Behera of Tarini village had provided a huge bamboo, out of which a huge umbrella was made and bound atop the sal pole.
The priest solemnised Rakhyanabali Puja to ward off evil spirits.
After all rituals are performed, at about 9.30 pm, thousands of devotees pull a thick rope tied at the place. A fair is held for days together at the place.
Earlier, Bhanja kings used to patronage the fair, which continued for a month, Now, the fair is held at the weekly market every Sunday for four weeks.
Legend has it that the Goddess takes the form of a girl, who visits the fair by introducing herself as the daughter of a priest and wears bangles from the bangle-seller.
Karam Parab and Jantala Parab of Jamda Patina are also observed simultaneously in the area.
“This festival is being observed for generations. After completing a degree in law, I have dedicated myself to the service of the Goddess,” said Rajpurohit Ashok Samantray.
Describing it as an agriculture-based festival, Nepal Chandra Sahu (a local litterateur), said, “The aim of the festival is to pay obeisance to Lord Indra for ensuring rains for agriculture and seeking His blessings for a bumper harvest.”
Earlier, the fair was held on a large scale, but it is now held every Sunday for four weeks, said Amiya Kumar Das, a retired teacher. PNN
