Danda Nata

Danda Naata, also written as Danda Jatra and Danda Yatra (Odia: ଦଣ୍ଡ ନାଟ, ଦଣ୍ଡ ଯାତ୍ରା) is one of the most important traditional dance festivals organized in different parts of South Odisha and particularly in the Ganjam District, Kandhamal District,Dhenkanal District & Angul District the heartland of ancient Kalinga Empire. The Danda Naata festival is being held in the month of Chaitra of every year. As per Ram Prasad Tripathy's article, it is an ancient festival of the Kalinga kingdom and still alive in and around the ancient Kalinga capital Sampa or Samapa i.e modern day Jaugada of Ganjam district. The Participants of Danda are called Danduas (also known as Bhoktas) and they pray Goddesses Kali and Shiva during this 13-, 18- or 21-day Danda period.

Danda begins on an auspicious day before the Chaitra Sankranti or Meru Parba with traditional worship and fasting. The total number of days for the festival is 13, 18 or 21 days. Only male persons take part in this festival. The participants are known as the 'Bhoktas'. All the `Bhoktas` or 'Danduas' lead a very pious life for all these days during the festival and they avoid eating meat, fish or cohabiting during this period.

It is believed that the present day Danda Naata is a part of the ancient Chaitra Yatra festivals being celebrated every year at Tara Tarini Shakti Peetha. The Kalinga Emperors organised this Chaitra festival for their Ista devi, Tara Tarini. As per folk lore, during ancient period after 20 days of Danda practice the Danduas must assemble near Tara Tarini Shakti/Tantra Peetha (which is Ista devi of the Great Kalinga rulers) and with some hard rituals culminate their Danda on the last day.

This practice continued for many years and Chaitra Yatra which is still celebrated at Tara Tarini Shakti Peetha in the month of Chaitra, is also another part of that old tradition. But later this Danda Naata spread to different parts of Utkala and Koshala. Now the old tradition was changed. Danda Naata groups increased abnormally and the Danduas culminating their Danda in their own villages or locality instead of Tara Tarini Shakti/Tantra Peetha.