Khamdev Jatara: Tribal woman gulps 2 kgs of sesame oil in Adilabad

In an age-old tradition, the ethnic tribe observes a ceremonial worship of their deity Khamdev during the five-day Khamdev Jatara fair. They gather at the goddess's shrine to participate in the rituals. As part of the custom, Mesram Nagobai, a paternal sister from the Thodasam clan, is required to consume 2 kilograms of cold-pressed sesame oil three times.

Adilabad: Defying digestive system, a woman belonging to the Thodasam clan of Raj Gond community consumed a 2 kilograms of sesame oil for proving sanctity, improving prospects of fertility, well-being of her brothers and for the sake of farmers every year on full moon day of Hindu month Pushya or poos in Narnoor mandal centre on Tuesday.

In a distinctive custom believed to be practiced for ages, the ethnic tribe ceremoniously worship their deity Khamdev during the five-day long fair known as Khamdev Jatara. They congregate on the premises of the shrine of the goddess. Mesram Nagobai, a paternal sister of Thodasam clan should have to gulp 2 kilograms of oil extracted from sesame grains through cold pressed method for thrice.

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Nagoba effortlessly drank the oil in presence of elders of the clan, Asifabad MLA Kova Laxmmi and Thodasam Raju, a legislator from Maharashtra at the temple of the deity. She has already done the feat twice in the past. She will be replaced by another paternal sister of the Thodasam clan next year. This cycle goes on as the tribals give paramount importance to follow their ancient traditions.

Thodasam Nagorao, an elder of the clan from Mankapur village, told ‘Telangana Today’ that the women of the clan had been performing the test titled Neyunval Khaiyida since ancient times. “The woman should drink the oil to prove her sanctity on the lines of Seetha undergoes a fire ordeal as depicted in Ramayana. Their act is also meant for the well-being of their brothers and for prosperity of farmers,” he reasoned.

The elder stated that the women who take part in the test would not develop any complications after consuming the oil. “The participants neither had health issues nor digestion problems so far. They would have to take part in it before 9 am on that day of the task, they can take up regular household or farm activities and follow their usual diet for the rest of the day,” he explained.

Khamdev Jatara is an important religious affair of members of Thodasam clan. The members belonging to not only several parts of the district, but neighboring Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh gather on the premises of the shrine year with much gaiety and pomp. They arrive at the holy place travelling by bullock carts. They camp under temporary tents for five days.