MA PAUDI

Once in every ten years there is a national gathering at Paudi-Mel, just outside Seraikella Town, in the Singhbhum Pir of Seraikella State. People from all areas, far and near, assemble in there thousands and offer sacrifices at the altar of Ma Paudi. It is the greatest national festival of the land-a sort of miniature Kumbha Mela-and is also known by the name of Dasandi or Decidennial, jantal or Paudi- Mel, which literally means national unity in the name of Ma Paudi.

When the jantal is over, people are not supposed to go out of the prescribed area formed by two streamlets and the river Kharkai, but must cook their food within that space. It is a glorious sight to see little fires springing up here, there and every where to dispel the darkness of a Bhado night. After the food is cooked, the congregation must eat it there, too, and one is not allowed to take even a morsel of food outside the specified area. Every ten 1years people must meet and mingle, worship the common goddess and feel that each and every one of them is of the same nationality and culture.

There is no distinction of caste or creed here. A Ho or a Munda, a Santal, a Bhumij, a Brahmin, a Karan, a Kshatriya, a Bhuiya, a Mahato, a Ghasi, a Dom, a Bhandari, a Tell, an Oriya or one speaking the tribal dialect, must all unite together in the name of God and feel that they are Seraikellian Singhbhuiyas first and tribes, races or castes, a .8 and all must sing to the glory of Sri Paudi Devi--JAY MA PAUDI.

[ Back ] [ Up ] [ Next ]