Orissa Review * September-October - 2008

Manikagoda : The Village of Gandhi's Dream

Sibasundar Pattanaik

Our consists of the people of different castes, forget that God does not take His birth - He only sects and religions. There are several hamlets, appears or descends). The animal instinct in our villages, towns and cities named after the sects, mind is enhanced by the political leaders for which castes and religions where we use to reside we develop enemity amongst us. So it is advisable according to our groups. Out of these habitants to narrow minded political leaders and the Manikagoda, a village in Panchagada Pragana and innocent people who are guided by them to go to Bolagada Block of Khurda district of Orissa which Manikagoda and to ditermine their objectives. is a dazzling jewel on the head of "Bharat Mata" Manikagoda consists of five habitable (Mother India). Mouzas - Hatasahi, Ramachandrapur Patna, To clarify the same it can be said that Chandipatna, Kumuti Sahi and Dalei Sahi and two eventhough we quarrel arson, damage or kill uninhabited Mouzas-Rasulpur and Jahanbad. To persons to cherish our desires and to fulfill the go to this third populated village in Orissa one same by joining the political party preaching has to get down from bus at Bhimapada near sectarian ideas. When our animal instinct is alive Bolagarh on the Jatni-Bolangir Highway and a in our mind the said instinct is subdued in the minds northern side road leads to this village. It is of the people of Manikagoda. Here there is no proposed to convert this village to a Notified Area animosity between the people of different religions Council. In case, the village of Bhimapada, Tangi and no hatred amongst different castes. Here there Sahi, Dibyasinghapur, Malisahi and Kalanga is no distinction whether Kashmir should merge would be amalgamated its area would be bigger. with Pakistan for Muslim majority or it is an The population of the village Manikagoda consists integral and indivisible part of India, here there is of 15,000 out of which the Hindu population is no religious disputes between the Hindus and the twice that of the Muslim one. Amongst the Hindus Muslims leading to destruction, arson of trains and there are Brahmins, Karans, Kshyatiyas, killing of people by fire like that of Gujrat and Khandayats, Telis (Oilmen), Badhei Maharastra, here there is no desire to recover (Carpenters), Bhandaris (Barbers), Dhobas Janma Bhumi (place of birth) as Bhagaban Sri (Washermen), Hadis (Drummers), Bauris Rama Chandra (Jugas) took His birth two (Jugas) (Bamboo article weavers) and the aborigines ago prior to Kalijuga not nourishing a desire to Kandhas (Janis) and Sawars (Dumal Gaudas). destroy Babari Mosque or to rebuild it, (We But the deities of the Hindus are not the exclusive

27 Orissa Review * September-October - 2008 deities of their religion. Amongst them Sri In old days, Manikagoda was situated in Bhagabati Thakurani, Sri Joga-Maya, and Sri the midst of Jungle inhabited by aborigines. The Somonath Dev and Sri Kanaka Durga installed "Gadajats" of Ranpur, , Khandapada by Gajapati King. Manikabhuian worshipped by and Banki under the Suzerainty of the Gajapati the aborigine class Kandha and Sri Mahisasur of were the boundary lands. The deities Mardini worshipped by Sawar-Dihudi another Bhujan Thakurani and Mahisasur - Mardini were aborigine class are not the exclusive deities of being worshipped by the aborigines. Since time these aborigines or sub-caste class of people. All immemorial Kandhas (Janis) used to worship these deities belong to the people of Manikagada- Bhuian Thakurani and the Sawar - Dihudi the Hindus, the Muslims and aborigine caste (Dumula Gaud) used to worship Mahisasur people. There is little chance to see coordination Mardini. and coexistence among different castes and During the sixteenth century "Thata Raj" (as religions elsewhere. This village is the embodiment the younger brother of the Gajapati king of Puri of national integrity. The speciality of this village is known / decorated or honoured) was disgraced is that a Muslim adorns the supreme place in the by Gajapati (equivalent to Chakravarty in other "Homa" (sacred fire) - adorning higher than places i.e. one who has defeated one lakh kings) "Brahma" or "Acharya" in the "Homa". In this Dibyasingh Dev-I and the later ordered for his Homa the descendants of the Kotha Karan younger brother's execution. But the killer left the engaged by the Gajapati king co-ordinate. The Thata Raja on the outskirt of the town and brought descendants of Rajaguru and Brahmins engaged animal's blood to satisfy the Gajapati. The Thata by the Gajapati and the aborigines Sawars and Raj reached Ranpur and after getting the king's Kandhas participate. Nobody in the village help defeated these aborigines of Manikagoda and cherish Dharmandhata (or Blind adherence of established his fort there. But the "Gada Prachira" one's own religion) Gandhiji, the Father of our (the boundary wall of the fort collapsed on several Nation used to recite "Iswar Allah Tere Nam" on occasions. The Thata Raj had a dream of Bhuian his each prayer and advised us to pray accordingly. Thakurani asking for human sacrifice. The Kandha But he became victim of the "Dharmandhata". priest of the said deity had also similar dream with The said blind adherence to religion admits further direction to sacrifice his daughter, Manika. its defeat here. Since the primitive days the Hindus The Thata Raj and Kandha priest were unwilling of India embrace each other on the "Dasahara" for human sacrifice. But Manik prevailed over day which is confined amongst the same religion. them and she was killed. After this occurence the The Muslims embracing each other on the Idd is said deity Bhuian was known as Manika Bhuian confined to themselves. But during the Dasahara or Manikasuni. The Thata Raj dug a tank near festival in the village of Manikagoda the people, the temple known as Manik Sagar. Thereafter be it Hindu or Muslim or higher caste or lower the village is known as Manikagada. There is no caste - embrace each other without any hesitation status of the said deity except Kalasa on the throne of religion, caste or creed and all people and moving deity - a log being clothed. It may be accompany the Hindu deities happily in eluminated recalled that the weapon of Sri Jagannath known procession with beating drum with the rythm of as Sri Sudarsan not only accompany Mahaprabhu Paika Akhada and perform Aparajita, Homa on to Sri Gundicha temple but also goes on Chacheri a trijunction of roads which is scarce elsewhere. Bhog representing Sri Jagannath, Sri Bhagabati

28 Orissa Review * September-October - 2008 of Banpur in district and Sri Tareni not only retired headmaster and social worker he Thakurani of nearby Aranga Mala (high land) go had also represented India in world forum. on Chacheri Bhoga on other festive occasion in The special aspect of Manikagoda is the the from of logs adorned with cloths. At co-existence of the people of higher class and Manikagada there was a nine storyed palace like that of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe that of Barabati fort and the narrow entrance gate aborigines and the Muslims and the Hindus. There was like that of Golkunda fort to resist the entry is no feeling of hatrred like that of the Hindus and of external enemies accompanied his brother to the Muslim of Ayodhya, Kasi (Benaras) and Puri. The Gajapati entrusted the military and Mathura - Brundaban. Previously there were administrative affairs to a Muslim Dalabehera Muslims in Paika force and adorned the posts of offering a sword which is worshipped till now. Military heads like Dalei and Dalabehera. Even The Gajapati also brought a Koran from now they are members of Paika Akhada. Another Chhanagiri near Jankia in and speciality is that out of two Mosques at engaged him Kothakoran and also Bhuimula and Manikagada one is situated close to the temple offered a Lekhan (iron pen to write on palm leaf) of Manika Bhuian Thakurani. This establishes, which is also worshipped till date. This fort was their fellow - feeling and co-existence. the Centre of military and administrative head quarters of "Panchagada" (consisting of On the day of Gamha Purnami (fool moon Manikagada, Sampur, Bankoi, Haladipada and day of Sravan - i.e. in the month of July-August) Manibandha) Manikagada as its name signifies the teacher of Paika skill, now a martial art selects was a Gada or Military cantonment where 5000 the youths from amongst the high or low caste Paika soldiers were kept. This fort took active and from the Hindus and Muslims. This training part in defeating Muslims and Marathas and starts from that day which is the birth day of delayed the establishment of English rule here and Bhagaban Balaram, the brother of Sri Krishna. kept the independence of Gajapati king of Puri. Sri Balaram is recognized as the exponent of It was a place of Military authority since the Duela. Sri Balaram is one of the Avtars sixteenth century from the time of Dibyasingh (Incarnations) of God. But this training is not Dev-I up to beginning of the 18th century till retracted to the Hindus alone - the Muslims also Dibyasingh Dev-II was defeated by the British. take the training. On the Dasahara day (Tenth day of light fortnight of Aswin, i.e. falling in Present Dalabehera is Sk. Habibur September - October), the Paikas of different Rahaman who is the keeper of the sword gifted Sahis of Manikagoda have their opening ceremony by the Gajapati. The Dalabehera has been of martial art in front of the house of Muslim honoured at Bolagarh Mahotsav-2004 and Dalabehera. This is also a specimen of co- Sarbodaya Mela, Puri-2005. He has also been existence. honoured with Sarala Puraskar-1999 and this honour is always cherished by the social workers On the Aswina Sukla Saptami day (i.e. the and men of letters of Orissa. The sword is seventh day of light - fortnight in the month of worshipped in Dasahara festival. The descendants Aswina - falling in the month of September - of the Kothakaran entrusted by Gajapati October) all Hindus, Muslims and the aborigines Dibyasingh Dev-I are performing their duties. One gather in front of the house of the Dalabehera who of the descendants, Sri Rajakishore Pattanaik is is a Muslim and they come with the Paikas of all

29 Orissa Review * September-October - 2008 communities and Laudi (stick) players of cowherd procession to the temple of Sri Bhagabati and community. The barber uses to carry the burning thereafter to the trijunction of Malisahi, torch. The Hadis use to beat drum. The Muslim Dibyasinghpur and Kalanga where Homa (sacred Dalabehera being clothed like the Hindu with fire) is performed on the road. Apart from the "Kachha in dressing cloth hands over the sword aforesaid deity Sri Jogamaya (in the form of stick gifted by the Gajapati to the Mansingh (a Military being clothed) comes there. Sri Somanath Dev General under the Dalabehera) and the worshipped by twice born Brahmins also comes Dalabehera is led in the lighted procession to the there and He is being seated on a plant form inside temple of Sri Bhagabati a deity of Sabarna Hindu. the temple premises. Before the Rajaguru In similar way the descendant of the Kothakaran performs the Aparajita Homa he puts on appointed by Gajapati with the iron pen gifted by Kusabatu (grass ring) on the hand of the Muslim the Gajapati and palm leaf is led in the lighted Dalabehera and by touching the later with rice procession to that temple. The Katari made of and Jupa (the spoon to offer ghee in Homa) the eight metals representing the deity Sri Mahisasur Rajaguru starts the Aparajita Homa by offering Mardini worshipped by the aborigine, Sawar- ghee on fire. The Brahmins also offer Habi (the Dehudi (Dumal Gauda) is led in similar way to offering of mixture of rice, rasi, ghee etc.) to the that temple of Sri Bhagabati. Sri Kanaka Durga sacred fire. There the Dalabehera is sitted wit his installed by the Gajapati and kept and worshipped Mansingha by his side with the said sword. The by high class - twice born Brahmin Rajaguru come Kothakaran, the Brahmins, the Sawars, Kandhas in Her wooden throne (Khatuli) in similar (the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe) and procession. The Sword, the Iron pen and palm Muslims and others sit near the sacred fire. After leaf and the Katari are kept on new pidhas the Homa there is offering of Bhoga to the deities (wooden sitting place), and Sri Kanaka Durga in which the people of all communities use to take her Khatuli are placed on front Barandha of the all the deities and the sword the Lekhani return to deity Sri Bhagabati Thakurani. The washerman their respective places in procession. Sri Manika used to bring wood of banyan, Bella or Barun Bhuian Thakurani returns to Her temple after Her and the Carpenter used to prepare "pidha". The Chacheri Bhog in the village Kalanga. The entire Bauris (Scheduled Caste person) erect a structure expenditure of the Home is met by Sri Raghunath of leaves and boughs. All these are worshipped Dev Math. The Rajaguru and 108 Sri Charan Das, there till the Dasahara with offering of Bhoga Mahant of the said Math advice for Hindu-Muslim (vegetarian) to these deities thrice a day. The coexistence. people of all communities eat this Prasad. The The Aparajita Homa is a sacred fire of the Muslims use to have no objection on feasting this Hindus performed for well being of mankind. The prasad as they have no objection to dine at night speciality of Manikagoda is that it is performed in during the Ramjan month. co-operation of all religions and castes. The On the Dasahara day the deity Sri Manika people of Malisahi, Dibyasinghpur and Kalanga Bhuian represented by Her wooden stick with have also co-operation for this performance which clothes is offered goat sacrifice. The deity is is done in the trijunction of their village. The high carried by the Bauri - a Scheduled Caste and class Brahmins brought by the Gajapati from Her worshipper Kandha Jani (of Scheduled Tribe sixteen Sasans near Puri are engaged in the service - aborgine) performs Kalasi. They are led in similar of the deity Sri Somanath Dev and who are

30 Orissa Review * September-October - 2008 propagating Hinduism used to attend this function Goswami and Sri Rupa Goswami. Eventhough along with their deity Sri Somanath Dev, who is one of the Gajapatis had accepted Muslim religion embodiment of well being (Siva). For the well in some circumstance. Sri Jagannath is incarnated being of the people in general and this function as Sri Patita Paban on the Gumuta temple unites Siva abnd Shakti. (entrance room) of Singhadwar (Lion's gate). Gandhiji had failed to fulfill his desire to go Gandhiji is the Father of our nation. He has to this village due to his preoccupation in getting endeavoured to bring harmony amongst Caste, India free first from dominion. However Gandhiji Creed and Religion. But from the ancient times gave an audience in 1927 at Bolagarh to Harihar till to date the thought of Gandhiji has been Pattanaik and Narayan Pattanaik of the Kotha materialised. In case we adhere to that principle Karan family and Sk.Agajan the then Dalabehera the unity of India would remain in tact and no and both the families are engaged in bringing external enmy would defeat us. harmony amongst the caste and religion in the village through the ages. Gandhiji praised their action. The Jagannath Sanskruti of Orissa has established co-ordination amongst the castes generating Daita Sevak. This faith has accepted Sibasundar Pattanaik, Advocate lives at Jail Road, Dasia Bauri, Sri Haridas Thakur, Sri Sanatan Khordha.

Saheed Nagar Puja Committee handing over a cheque of Rupees fifty thousand to Chief Minister's Relief Fund for assistance to the flood victims at Secretariat on 26.9.2008 in the presence of Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik.

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