Nabarangpur Dec, 05: The district-level folk festival ‘Mandei’ has been inaugurated at the historic Podagad Bhairav Peetha under the Jharigan Block of Nabarangpur district. State Forest Minister Ganesh Ramsingh Khuntia and School & Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond attended the opening ceremony as chief guests.
The event began with traditional tribal rituals and worship performed at the Peetha, followed by a grand procession featuring lathi, kurshi, vimana, and a large rally. A torch rally (mashal yatra) also proceeded to the venue. On this occasion, the guests unveiled the official poster of the folk festival ‘Mandei’.
The Mandei festival is celebrated every year by the government to preserve and promote the hidden tribal art and culture of the region. Minister Nityananda Gond stated that the state government is taking several steps to carry this tradition forward. Similarly, Forest Minister Ganesh Ramsingh Khuntia announced a grant of one crore rupees for the development of the historic Podagad Peetha.
Several MLAs from Nabarangpur district, BJP State Vice President Ramesh Chandra Sahu, representatives such as Sushila Majhi, Bhandariguda Samiti Member Hari Mohan Bhatra, MP representative Ram Nayak, Minister’s representative Ashok Kumar Padhi, Kajam Madani, District Collector Maheshwar Swain, Additional Collectors Biswajit Barman and Tapan were present.
One Crore Rupees Sanctioned for Podagad Development
Representatives and Officials Dance to the Rhythm of Sailoji Music
Tribal dance was performed to the rhythm of Sailoji songs, with public representatives and administrative officials—including the Additional District Collector and Sub-Collector—joining in, entertaining the audience.
Nabarangpur MLA Gairishankar Majhi, Jharigaon MLA Narasingha Bhadra, former MP Parshuram Majhi, Manoranjan Tripathy, Zilla Parishad Member Jalim Majhi, Zilla Parishad Member Chandan Ray, Municipality Chairperson Radhaitra, Block Chairperson Kumar Khuntia, Sub-Collector Prakash Mishra, BDO Manoj Kumar Meher, and Executive Officer Alok Kumar Anugulia were among the dignitaries present.
Officials from the Panchayat Office, Municipality, and various government departments were also in attendance. The event concluded with various cultural performances. Chandan Mallick conducted the stage proceedings.