Odisha’s Timeless Tradition “Danda Jatra”

Danda Nacha, also known as Danda Jatra, is a traditional dance festival deeply rooted in the traditions of southern Odisha. It holds significant cultural and religious importance among Hindus, especially in the Ganjam district, with its roots stretching back to the era of the Kalinga kingdom.

About Danda Nacha

As its name suggests, “Danda” refers to penance, while “Nacha” means dance in the Odia language. Held annually during the month of Chaitra, commencing on an auspicious day before Chaitra or Meru Parba, this festival witnesses devout male participants known as Danduas or Bhoktas. They devoutly honour Goddess Kali and Shiva over a period of 13, 18, or 21 days, abstaining from consuming meat, fish, or foods containing onion and garlic, strictly adhering to a sattvic diet.

How Danda Nacha Happens

During this intense period, Danduas undergo hardships, leaving behind their homes and loved ones to undertake penance in respect of Goddess Danda Kali. Their disciplined routine includes fasting until evening after their single meal, followed by the symbolic “Pani danda” ritual. Typically, 40 to 100 Danduas participate, led by the “Bada Patta Dandua,” or head of the group.

Dressed in traditional attire of dhotis and saffron “gamucha,” moving out with red and yellow flags in the morning, they perform the ancient Danda Nacha. Danda Nacha is a ritual dance performed alongside a variety of musical instruments, including Dholo (drum), Jhanja (Cymbals), Mahuri or Kahali (Trumpet), Magaravina (a bow with jingling bells), Mukhavina (a wind instrument similar to a shahanai), Gini, and Kartal, along with drums, conch shells, and trumpets. They showcase deadly fire stunts at the homes of requested individuals in each ward.

Purpose of Danda Nacha

Danda Nacha serves dual purposes: igniting religious devotion and providing aesthetic delight to its audience. This folk-dance tradition aims to foster spiritual growth through self-discipline, with dancers earning respect for their devotion to religious rituals during their performances. Primarily linked with agricultural practices such as ploughing, sowing, and harvesting, Danda Nacha has been preserved through oral tradition for generations. It serves both as a source of entertainment and as a medium for education. Alongside showcasing various dances and songs to entertain villagers, this folk theatre also endeavors to impart moral lessons, aiming to dismiss societal superstitions and unfounded beliefs. Communities eagerly seek blessings from the Danduas, believing their presence blesses the households.

The culmination of this spiritual journey occurs on Maha Bisuba Sankranti, primarily observed at Danda Kali temples in Berhampur. After a purifying bath, the Bhoktas undergo a sincere ritual where they are blindfolded and their bodies covered in turmeric paste. They are then hung upside down until three drops of blood fall from their nostrils into the holy fire.

This ancient ritual gathers crowds of viewers and participants, concluding on Maha Bisuba Sankranti, also known as Pana Sankranti or Odia New Year. Different regions have unique beliefs, and in Odisha, the celebration of the New Year through Danda Nacha stands as a cherished tradition, honoring cultural heritage and spiritual devotion.

Significance and History

Danda Nacha, thought to have begun more than 300 years ago, originated around the 8th and 9th centuries when Tantrism became popular as Buddhism declined in Odisha. As Buddhism faded, Saivism became the main religion in the area. People from marginalized groups, like untouchables and lower castes, found comfort in worshipping Lord Shiva, often outside regular Hindu temples.

In an era when upper-class Hindus disliked and barred these marginalized groups from temple entry, they turned to the worship of Shiva as a means of spiritual salvation. This worship concluded annually in a festival known as Danda Nacha, associated with the legend of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. According to local folklore, Lord Shiva once disguised himself as a Bhikshu (mendicant) and visited Goddess Parvati’s abode. The festival recreates this divine play.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Danda Nacha is a much-loved religious and cultural celebration in southern Odisha that represents penance, devotion, and the region’s rich history. It represents the spiritual path of the Danduas and Bhoktas, who revere Goddess Kali and Shiva with ceremonial dances and rigorous adherence to customs. This age-old celebration strengthens community ties and serves as a means of moral instruction in addition to providing entertainment. Danda Nacha is an essential component of the identity of Odisha because it preserves the cultural heritage and spiritual principles of the state through its ceremonies and performances.