Keonjhar, Nov 1: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday celebrated Diwali/Dipabali festival at his native village Raikela in Keonjhar district as per tribal rituals.
“Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has come to village for celebration of tribal festival Gobardhan Puja with family. We observe this puja with certain principles with a community feast,” said a native of Raikela welcoming Majhi for the Diwali/Dipabali celebration.
What is Gobardhan Puja:
This puja is observed by tribals during Diwali/Dipabali festival and widely observed among the Kudumi and Santal people of Odisha, specially in Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts.
As per the name, this community puja is dedicated to cow called as ‘Gomata’ by Hindus and tribals.
Tribals celebrate this agro-based festival as ‘Gobandana’ or ‘Gobardhan Puja’. This puja is celebrated for three days from the day of Kali Puja – the first day is known as Gotha or Gothani Puja, the second day is Guhala Puja and Budhi Bandana ritual is performed on the last day.
On the afternoon of Diwali, people gather their cattle at one place in the village followed by a special puja by the village head.
Villagers perform all rituals in front of one egg each. Every family present at the spot brings one hen and puja is performed for hens also.
Tribal observe this puja for the safety of their domestic animals. Kudumi community and Santhala tribe people think cattle as their family members as cows and bullocks help in farming.
After puja, the cattle are allowed to walk together. The bullock, who will touch the egg first, the owner of that bullock used to be called the luckiest man of that year and villagers led by the village head visit his house in the evening with a procession.
The luckiest man greets villagers as guests and treats serving dinner with chicken and mutton dishes. The specialty of this Gotha Puja is Prasad of sweet cake with mutton.
