Nabarangpur, Dec, 24: The annual festival ‘Dussehra’ of Maa Kankaluni, presiding deity of Medana village under Dabugaon block, Nabarangpur district, was celebrated with great pomp on Monday, 15th December. Thousands of devotees from nearby areas gathered to witness the procession of the deity. Various representatives of local deities including lathi bearers, kurtis, shira, dishari, priests, ganda, dalan, and uita accompanied the procession and participated in the celebrations.
A few days prior, the villagers held a meeting to plan how to celebrate the festival with grandeur. Responsibilities were assigned to different community members, and everyone executed their duties meticulously, ensuring the procession was conducted magnificently. Historically, Maa Kankaluni has been worshiped from the Hatpada Padiya area of the village, and devotees regularly come to seek blessings, as the goddess is believed to fulfill the wishes of her followers.
A grand temple has been constructed for Maa Kankaluni with the support of villagers, located alongside the Jharigaon-Dabugaon road, attracting admiration for its artistic architecture. This year, for the first time, the procession also included Meena Bada, drawing a large crowd of devotees.
Around the temple, hundreds of temporary shops were set up by local vendors, earning a small livelihood. The worship rituals were carried out according to tradition, with priests of other local deities also performing their respective ceremonies.
In the evening, for public entertainment, the village committee organized two tribal dramas: “Sukh Nei Galaa Mamu R Jhia” and “Mo Mana Khali Tori Paain”. The committee members, including President Madhu Karar, Editor Shashidhar Majhi, Treasurer Dalarushi Kalar, and other key organizers, managed the festival smoothly, ensuring peace and order throughout the event.
Devotees and representatives of nearby villages, along with deity attendants—lathi bearers, kurtis, shira, dishari, priests, ganda, dalan, and uita—were honored in a formal ceremony at the conclusion of the festival.