Mesrams set out to fetch Gangajal from river Godavari in Mancherial

Adilabad: The Mesrams set out to fetch holy water of river Godavari from a spot called Hasthanamadugu on the outskirts of Kalamadugu village in Jannaram mandal of Mancherial district, from Keslapur village in Indervelli mandal on Thursday. The water is used to perform rituals during the annual Nagoba Jatara, an important religious and cultural affairs […]

Adilabad: The Mesrams set out to fetch holy water of river Godavari from a spot called Hasthanamadugu on the outskirts of Kalamadugu village in Jannaram mandal of Mancherial district, from Keslapur village in Indervelli mandal on Thursday. The water is used to perform rituals during the annual Nagoba Jatara, an important religious and cultural affairs of members belonging to the Mesram clan.

About 100 Mesrams, who gathered at the Nagoba temple at Keslapur village, commenced the arduous task in the afternoon after performing certain rituals. They carried sacred Jhari, a 1,400-year-old brass container to fetch the water. They will cover 155 tribal villages during the course of the journey, trekking over 150 km that will last a fortnight. They stay in villages en route.

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Traditionally, the members of the clan use the water to perform sacred rites in the shrine before the start of the tribal fair. Later, they arrive at Keslapur village and assemble under the sacred banyan tree, where they will stay for four days as a customary tradition. They reach the temple of Nagoba and perform prayers, known as Maha Puja in the night to kick-start the fair on January 31.

The Nagoba jatara hosts Maha Puja, Bheting, introduction of new daughters-in-law to the deity, village fair or jatara at the holy place, Praja Darbar, a grievance redressal, Betal Puja, among others. Half a dozen Raj Gond elders jump in the air reportedly after getting possessed by Betal god. They exhibit their fighting prowess by rotating large sticks that represent the god.

The Mesrams have already resolved to have a low-key affair in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic. The Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA)-Utnoor is making elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the fair. Collector Sikta Patnaik convened a meeting and reviewed the progress of the arrangements at Keslapur recently.

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