Bhandara Gharani:
The temple of Maa Bhandara Gharani, the presiding deity of this district situated in the heart of the Nabarangpur town is a renowned Sakti Shrine, of the state. The aboriginal Goddess Bhandara Gharani, which have been Aryanized, were acknowledged as members of the documented theology of the society in whose contact the tribes lived. Thus the goddess who are an excellent example for such an acknowledgement as well as for the link between Aryanization and local tradition have played prominent role in the folk lore and the culture heritage of Nabarangpur.
Bhandar Gharani Goddess of Bhandar was originally worshiped by the royal family of Jagannathpur, subsequently installed at Nabarangpur town by the than ruler. Since than Goddess Bhandara Gharani is worshipped as the Sakti, the source of power by the people. According to Narasingh Tripathy, Raja Purahito, the priests of this goddess are of sudra origin, Bhandara Gharani has been transformed from a tribal cult into sakti cult under the process of Aryanization, one of the legends connects the temple with Brahmanical tradition by regarding it as one of the sakta peetha. The priests of the temple are Keuto who have a tribal origin, goats, sheep and cocks are scarified before the goddess. These entire features suggest that the goddess Bhandara Gharani has been transformed from tribal cult into sakti cult under the process of Aryanization. It is a peculiar religious practice that the priests of the temple are both Brahmin and Keuto(fisherman).
Worshipped in sanctum sanctorum with Gandha (Sandal paste Puspa, (flower) Dhupa, (Incense) Dipa (lamp) rice, fruits and vegetable are offered. Goat, sheep and cocks are scarified before the Goddess round the year to propitiate the Goddess.
Large number of devotees pay their homage on each Tuesday & Saturday, Sankranti also visiting this Sakti Pitha in the month of Aswina and Chaitra for Mahastami Puja. Dussehra at Maa Bhandara Gharani Temple is traditionally celebrated for 10 days from sukla Pratipada to Dasami both during Aswina and Chaitra month of Oriya calander On Dasami day traditional Vijaya Yatra is take out with Large number of Village deities represented by a well decorated bamoo pole (lathi) is carried by devotees accompanied by flags, drummers and tribal priests on their traditional colorful attire. The procession (Vijaya Yatra) proceeds to Dussehra-pada, an open place, where the deity is worshipped again and shooters with their bows and arrows target a brinjal fixed atop a high bamboo pole that is open competition. The fall of the brinjal on the ground marks the end to the ceremony and of the whole festival. Several other festivals are also observed in the temple with high testimony. Most of the devotees are coming from the neighboring districts of Orissa and neighboring states of Chhatisgad, & Andhra Pradesh. The temple committee constructing a new temple which is at completion stage.
The Rise Production, Nabarangpur, released audio casset and Video CD. Song & Lyric by Sri Rameswar Pradhan, OAS, in praise of Maa Bhandara Gharani. After release of the same the presiding diety become more popular in Orissa as well as neighboring states. The Casset and CD is available with Rise Production, Nabarangpur. The interested devotees are requested to collect the same. The songs are heart touching and the presentation is marvelous.
31 August 2009
Bhandara Gharani:
The temple of Maa Bhandara Gharani, the presiding deity of this district situated in the heart of the Nabarangpur town is a renowned Sakti Shrine, of the state. The aboriginal Goddess Bhandara Gharani, which have been Aryanized, were acknowledged as members of the documented theology of the society in whose contact the tribes lived. Thus the goddess who are an excellent example for such an acknowledgement as well as for the link between Aryanization and local tradition have played prominent role in the folk lore and the culture heritage of Nabarangpur.
Bhandar Gharani Goddess of Bhandar was originally worshiped by the royal family of Jagannathpur, subsequently installed at Nabarangpur town by the than ruler. Since than Goddess Bhandara Gharani is worshipped as the Sakti, the source of power by the people. According to Narasingh Tripathy, Raja Purahito, the priests of this goddess are of sudra origin, Bhandara Gharani has been transformed from a tribal cult into sakti cult under the process of Aryanization, one of the legends connects the temple with Brahmanical tradition by regarding it as one of the sakta peetha. The priests of the temple are Keuto who have a tribal origin, goats, sheep and cocks are scarified before the goddess. These entire features suggest that the goddess Bhandara Gharani has been transformed from tribal cult into sakti cult under the process of Aryanization. It is a peculiar religious practice that the priests of the temple are both Brahmin and Keuto(fisherman).
Worshipped in sanctum sanctorum with Gandha (Sandal paste Puspa, (flower) Dhupa, (Incense) Dipa (lamp) rice, fruits and vegetable are offered. Goat, sheep and cocks are scarified before the Goddess round the year to propitiate the Goddess.
Large number of devotees pay their homage on each Tuesday & Saturday, Sankranti also visiting this Sakti Pitha in the month of Aswina and Chaitra for Mahastami Puja. Dussehra at Maa Bhandara Gharani Temple is traditionally celebrated for 10 days from sukla Pratipada to Dasami both during Aswina and Chaitra month of Oriya calander On Dasami day traditional Vijaya Yatra is take out with Large number of Village deities represented by a well decorated bamoo pole (lathi) is carried by devotees accompanied by flags, drummers and tribal priests on their traditional colorful attire. The procession (Vijaya Yatra) proceeds to Dussehra-pada, an open place, where the deity is worshipped again and shooters with their bows and arrows target a brinjal fixed atop a high bamboo pole that is open competition. The fall of the brinjal on the ground marks the end to the ceremony and of the whole festival. Several other festivals are also observed in the temple with high testimony. Most of the devotees are coming from the neighboring districts of Orissa and neighboring states of Chhatisgad, & Andhra Pradesh. The temple committee constructing a new temple which is at completion stage.
The Rise Production, Nabarangpur, released audio casset and Video CD. Song & Lyric by Sri Rameswar Pradhan, OAS, in praise of Maa Bhandara Gharani. After release of the same the presiding diety become more popular in Orissa as well as neighboring states. The Casset and CD is available with Rise Production, Nabarangpur. The interested devotees are requested to collect the same. The songs are heart touching and the presentation is marvelous.
