Danda Nata
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A ritual dance-drama of south Odisha held in the month of Chaitra, in which devotees perform acts of penance and dance in honour of Shiva and Shakti.
RitualWhere: Odisha (Ganjam and nearby districts)Occasion: The month of Chaitra (March–April), ending on Meru Sankranti
| Performed by | Male devotees called bhoktas, who keep strict vows for the period |
|---|---|
| Costume | Simple dress for the rituals; actors playing characters such as Shiva and Parvati wear costumes and make-up |
| Music and instruments | Dhol, changu and mahuri; songs are sung in Odia |
How it is performed
- Bhoktas take vows and live austerely for up to 21 days, eating simple food once a day.
- During the day they perform penances such as lying on hot sand (dhuli danda) and standing in water (pani danda).
- At night the troupe performs dance-dramas on stories of Shiva, Parvati and other deities, with comic episodes from village life in between.
- The festival ends with worship on Meru Sankranti, when the vows are broken.
Significance
Danda Nata is one of Odisha’s oldest ritual traditions. Families take part to give thanks or to fulfil a vow, and it brings whole villages together.