-->
 |
| Ghata Parikrama |
Berhampur
Thakurani Yatra is traditionally organised by the migrant Debanga
community. The head of the community invites the goddess to their settlement
every alternate year. Debanga is a weaver clan and their expertise in
silk textile is popular. It is believed that they reached the city between 1772
and 1782 with permission of king of Mahuri and gradually started living in the
neighbourhood of the king’s palace. It is told that soon after reaching
Berhampur the weavers started erecting tents (Dera in Odia) for dwelling
and for that reason they were known as Deras in the locality. Debangas
elect a captain (senapati) from each of the street and such captains
elect a leader who is named as Desi Behera. Records denote that certain Desi
Beheras led the community for a long time and after their death their ancestors
claimed the right to organise the Yatra. A series of civil litigations were
filed in the court of law in the past regarding claims for such a right.
There
are no formal rules and regulations for organisation of the Yatra. The proclamation
under Madras Endowment Laws of 1927 (Article 18 and 63) which was reinforced in
1945 by Odisha Endowment Law of 1939 is the only official document available
which mentions a little on the management of Bada Thakurani temple and biennial
Thakurani Yatra. The Yatra is organised year after year respecting traditional
unwritten rules and regulations.
Though the Debanga community
is in the charge of management of the Yatra, people of other communities living
in the neighbourhood volunteer to contribute their service for organising the
celebration. Traditionally a few families have been assigned the duties to
attend different rituals associated with the Yatra. They honour such
responsibilities on hereditary basis.
The temporary abode in front of Desi
Behera’s residence where Bada Thakurani is worshiped during the Yatra period is
conventionally constructed by the Berhampur Municipality Corporation. This year
it was constructed through floating tender. The makeshift temple was decorated
by women and unmarried girls from Bauri Street. They painted the floor with Geru
(red coloured mud) and drew alpanas (folk designs) by Khadi
(paste made of white stone). Devotional and funny songs were recited during the
decoration on 5th April morning as the womenfolk were engaged in
decoration work.
The bamboo basket in which the
flower garland that was taken in a procession from Desi Behera’s residence and after
ritualistic worship brought to the temporary abode was procured from a resident
of Phula Sundari Street.
The Itamalli flower (an orange
coloured flower) garland was brought from a resident of Sandha Mohanty Street.
The basket and flower garland are supplied by respective families hereditary.
Drum beaters from Pandava Nagar and Bira
Kahali (Bigul) blower from Sandha Mohanty Street traditionally take
part in the procession in the first day of Yatra.
-->
PHOTOGRAPH BY :
Srinivas
No comments:
Post a Comment