Jharpokharia: Goddess Bagharupa is the presiding deity of tribals and sub-communities living in 36 mouzas in remote hilly pockets of Jharpokharia area of Mayurbhanj district.
They strongly believe the Goddess not only fulfills their wishes but also protects them from dangers and evil spirits in their hilly treacherous terrain.
The tribals have been worshipping the goddess for generations. A portrait of the Goddess Baghrupa is enshrined under a tree to the north of Punasia village of Jalda panchayat under Saraskana block. Over 200 tribals live in the village.
According to local tribals, the Goddess is the presiding deity of people residing in 36 mouzas. Legend has it that the area was inhabited by Bhuyan tribals over 300 years ago.
Since then, Dehuri community of Bhuyan tribals has been worshipping the goddess. Locals say, “If you invoke the Goddess with heart and soul, she will listen to your plight and fulfill your wishes.”
Badapuja of Goddess takes place twice a year when thousands of devotees throng the area. Badapuja is performed on the eve of Makar Sankranti and the other is performed on the last Thursday of Shravana month. It is called Jantala Puja.
On Jantala puja, thousands of devotees from various parts of Mayurbhanj, neigbouring Jharkhand and West Bengal come together to worship the Goddess seeking blessings.
Niranjan Dandapata, the main priest of the Goddess, said, “Our ancestors have been worshipping Goddess since time immemorial.”
Quoting a legend, the priest said a milkman named Rupa used to carry curd and milk along the forest for sale. Every day, he promises the Goddess the offer of bhog if all his milk and curd is sold, but he blithely forgets his promises later in the day once he manages to sell all his milk and curd.
After some time, the Goddess got angry with the milkman for not keeping his promise. One day, when Rupa was on his way home after selling his product, she appeared before him in the form of a tiger.
The tiger blocked the route and was firm on killing him for not fulfilling his promises. Hopelessly, Rupa offered himself to the Goddess for being devoured, but on a condition that he will be seen along her side as a rock and the Dehury (the priests should) will first worship him and his curd-carrying bow at the shrine before her worship.
The Goddess agreed on the condition and since then Rupa is being worshipped there in the form of a rock (known as Dugada Shila) along with his bow. The Goddess is known as Baghrupa.
Debendra Digal of nearby Jamabani village said, “My family has been worshipping the Goddess for several generations. Many lie prostrate for days together without taking food and water before the Goddess and get cured of chronic diseases.”
Bharati Mohant, a resident of fringe village Nuasahi in Jharpokharia area, said, “Grandeur and sympathy of the Goddess are infinite. We have got blessings of the Goddess through our devotion and worship. The Goddess is a true mentor in times of woe.” PNN