Dantewada

Danteshwari Ma * Faagun Mandai * Dantewada * Bastar

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• published: 04 Mar 2015
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danteshwari_Temple Situated in Dantewada, south-west of Jagdalpur, at the confluence of the holy rivers Shankini and Dhankini,both the rivers of different colors,this six hundred year old temple is one of the ancient heritage sites of Bastar .Madhota Tarla, renamed as Dantewada by the great dynasty of Kaktiyas, after defeating the Nagwanshi dynasty and conquering the southern part of Bastar kingdom, they led the foundation of Maa Danteshwari temple at the confluence of river Shankini and Dankini. Earlier the prayer of Goddess was being done by Royal family only, but in the 13th century, the celebration of “Holi” incorporated the worship of Goddess Danteshwari as Faagun Mandai. Faagun Mandai and Its important days: Faagun Shukla Shashti- KALASH STHAPNA Starts with Maa Danteshwari and Mata Shailputri. From Maa Danteshwari temple, the “Chhatra” of Goddess is taken to Mendka-Dobra(a kind of plane ground used for all rituals) and is worshipped there . Pooja of Mata Gauri and Lord Ganesh is also done. Then they perform “Kalash-sthapna” by the ingredients of lali, paddy, rice and turmeric. Here, Phool Pagdi rashm is also performed, where is Bandharin flower is used to make a traditional crown called “phool-pagdi”. After wearing this “pagdi”, priest goes to Lord Narayan temple nearby and brings back the palanquin of Goddess, after offering food to Goddess(mata ko bhog lagana). Faagun Shukla Shaptmi- TAADPHALANGGA-DHUNI In the morning, Pooja starts from the worship of Goddess Brahmacharini mata. Like the first day, the palanquin of Goddess Danteshwari is brought to Narayan temple with the guard of honour. Then priest takes “taad-phalangga”(a leaf of Palm tree) and worships at a pond nearby. In this process, there are the head priest, the asstt. priest and bara-lankawaar(means different twelve persons including tribes) . Faagun Shukla Ashtmi- KHURKHUNDNI starts with worship of Mata Chandraghanta. Its is called “khurkhundni” because it is the day when Goddess Danteshwari is informed about other deities like Hinglajin, Dhawdain, Totakamin, Gallepalin, Ganganati .All this palanquins are then taken to Mendka-dobra, then Goddess Danteshwari is invited to Mendka-dobra by any one tribe. Faagun Shukla Navmi- NACH-MANDMI begins with the pooja of Mata Kushmanda, wearing flower crown, priest comes to Narayan temple with all deities(palanquins).After feeding Mata, all villagers return back. Then bara-lankawaar dance and celebrate this day. Faagun Shukla Ekadashi- LAMHA-MAAR begins with worship of Skand mata, then the palanquin of Skand mata, Goddess Danteshwari, and Maa Bhuvneshwari are brought to Narayan temple and then they are given honour of salutation. After this, the palanquins are brought back. At night, Gayta tribal man becomes a rabbit(lamha) , the katiyar tribe becomes hunter, then they perform the act of catching prey. This act is done two times, one inside of Goddess Danteshwari temple and other in front of Narayan temple. Faagun Shukla Dwadashi- KODRIMAAR begins with the Pooja of Maa Katyayni, Goddess Danteshwari, and Maa Bhuvneshwari. After Phool-pagdi rashm, “Kodromaar” starts where the Kumar tribe dance and comes to Mendka-dobra with two buckets full of Pooja materials. At night, again they perform one act where Gayta tribe becomes prey, Nayak tribe become hunter and Yemla tribe become sirha. Here, they trap their prey by nets. Faagun Shukla Trayodashi- CHITALMAAR Begins with the pooja of Maa Kaalratri. At night, Gayta tribe becomes prey(Chital means deer) and Yemla and nayak tribe become hunter. Faagun Shukla Chaturdashi- GAURMAAR begins with the pooja of Mata Gauri. This day, Royal family comes for worshipping. In the night, in an act, Samrath tribal man become prey(Gaur means wild buffalo) and Goddess Danteshwari priest family man become hunter. Faagun Shukla Poornima- AWARAMAAR Awaramaar custom and Holika-dahan ,begins with the pooja of Maa Siddhidatri. Then shobha-yatra of all deities is performed. At the time of retreat of deities, all the tribes and villagers play hitting each other by Awla. Hence it is names as Awaramaar.Then the branch of palm tree is taken to Log of woods of Holi and kept along with the wood logs and they are worshipped by the priest and Bara-lankawaar and then they perform ‘Holika Dahan” and greet each-other and sing Faag songs. Faagun Shukla Pratipadaa- PADUKA-PUJAN & RANG-BHANG On last day, all tribes play Holi, inviting Goddess Danteshwari and all other deities, and bathe at the bank of confluence of river Shankini and Dankini. Then the pooja of Bhairam baba is performed. Finally, the last day comes for the retreat of all deities. It’s an emotional farewell. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyLfj-KU00I