Malkangiri:Feb, 21: Members of the Banjara community celebrated the 287th birth anniversary of their revered deity, Sevalal Maharaj, at Chidapali village under Tumsapalli Panchayat of Korukonda Block in Malkangiri district.
Around 35 Banjara families live in the village, and every year they celebrate the birth anniversary of their deity with great devotion and grandeur. It is reported that there are about 17 Banjara villages in the district, and the Jayanti is observed in all of them.
On this occasion, community members wore traditional attire and carried flags while celebrating the festival according to their customs and rituals. Women of the community took part in a ceremonial kalash procession, collected water from a nearby river, and installed the sacred pot before the deity.
Following their traditional rules, the women prepared offerings made from rice and wheat and presented them to the deity. The unique style of worship and celebration drew a large crowd of villagers from nearby areas.
Community leaders and members present at the celebration included Khouria Dharabat, Bhima Laudiya, Narsingh Dharabat, Shankar Khara, Bhimlal Khara, Arjun Ghuglat, Dhansingh Laudiya, Daslil Laudiya, Champa Laudiya, Amki Dharabat, along with many other men and women of the Banjara community.
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