The famous Danda Nacha or Danda Naata in Odisha’s Ganjam district is regarded as the historic as well as religious folk dance of the area. 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. People in Ganjam district have great faith on it.
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 then begin the Jatra for those days.
This is the time of the year when groups of Danduas are seen in different places from villages to the town of Ganjam district. Also, folk dance amid playing of musical instruments Dhol and Mahuri can be seen at many places across the district. The Danduas use to wear saffron attire, hold peacock feathers as well as holy flags and travel from one place to another.
The Danduas set out for Danda Jatra after doing a special worship at the Goddess Kali temple of their respective areas under the leadership of the patabhukta. And 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.
In Danda Jatra, during day time while the Danduas perform Dhuli Danda, Pani Danda and Agni Danda, 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.
Danda Jatra is being observed in Ganjam district since long years. The everyday performance during Danda Jatra includes music and dance.
For the last three years restrictions had been imposed in the wake of Covid 19 pandemic and hence Danda Jatra could not be performed in Ganjam district. However, since this year the many of the Covid norms have been lifted while Danda Jatra has been permitted. Accordingly, Danda Jatra is going on at different places across Ganjam district and the devotees are happy to participate and witness.
Ms Kalinga