HC restricts Danda Yatra on NH-59 in Kandhamal | Bhubaneswar News
Cuttack: Orissa high court on Saturday ordered a prohibition on obstructions on NH-59 during Danda Yatra at Baliguda in Kandhamal district.
Danda Yatra is a tribal dance festival held in Kandhamal and Ganjam districts during the Chaitra month from April 1 to 14 every year.
The HC imposed the restriction while disposing of a petition seeking intervention against the inaction of the Kandhamal administration regarding the performance of Danda Yatra on NH-59 at Baliguda. Chitta Ranjan Nayak, a resident of the area, filed the petition.
Petitioner’s counsel, Sujata Jena, stated before the court that there is a likelihood of a congregation of about 30,000 people on the road. She further submitted that, as per prevailing customs, there is a tradition of devotees rolling on the road with bare bodies, which is likely to cause significant physical damage due to the heat.
She further submitted that the rolling of devotees on the NH-59 will also create inconvenience for motorists and people using the road.
Taking it on record, Justice S K Panigrahi, in his order on Saturday, said, “In view of all the apprehensions of the petitioner, this court is of the view that the district collector (Kandhamal), sub-collector, Baliguda, and the superintendent of police (Kandhamal) shall take appropriate steps to dissuade the devotees from rolling on the pitch road. Rather, they can perform their customary rolling on any bi-lane or sub-lane or adjacent to the national highway.”
“It is further directed that the aforesaid officers shall also ensure that the national highway is not blocked or any kind of inconvenience is caused to motorists and common people using the road. The above directions passed by this court shall be strictly adhered to without any sort of dilution,” Justice Panigrahi added.
According to Jena’s submissions recorded in the order, Danda Yatra was performed for over 100 years in Kandhamal and Ganjam districts. During the yatra, the deities of different villages are brought to one place.
For this purpose, in each village, a danda committee is constituted to perform the yatra. Every year, it is performed from April 1 to 14. Devotees who participate fast for about 14 days, and several other rituals are also performed.
She further submitted that in Baliguda block, about 20 Danda committees exist, and out of these, 13 are authorised to perform the yatra on different dates.
Danda Yatra is a tribal dance festival held in Kandhamal and Ganjam districts during the Chaitra month from April 1 to 14 every year.
The HC imposed the restriction while disposing of a petition seeking intervention against the inaction of the Kandhamal administration regarding the performance of Danda Yatra on NH-59 at Baliguda. Chitta Ranjan Nayak, a resident of the area, filed the petition.
Petitioner’s counsel, Sujata Jena, stated before the court that there is a likelihood of a congregation of about 30,000 people on the road. She further submitted that, as per prevailing customs, there is a tradition of devotees rolling on the road with bare bodies, which is likely to cause significant physical damage due to the heat.
She further submitted that the rolling of devotees on the NH-59 will also create inconvenience for motorists and people using the road.
Taking it on record, Justice S K Panigrahi, in his order on Saturday, said, “In view of all the apprehensions of the petitioner, this court is of the view that the district collector (Kandhamal), sub-collector, Baliguda, and the superintendent of police (Kandhamal) shall take appropriate steps to dissuade the devotees from rolling on the pitch road. Rather, they can perform their customary rolling on any bi-lane or sub-lane or adjacent to the national highway.”
“It is further directed that the aforesaid officers shall also ensure that the national highway is not blocked or any kind of inconvenience is caused to motorists and common people using the road. The above directions passed by this court shall be strictly adhered to without any sort of dilution,” Justice Panigrahi added.
According to Jena’s submissions recorded in the order, Danda Yatra was performed for over 100 years in Kandhamal and Ganjam districts. During the yatra, the deities of different villages are brought to one place.
For this purpose, in each village, a danda committee is constituted to perform the yatra. Every year, it is performed from April 1 to 14. Devotees who participate fast for about 14 days, and several other rituals are also performed.
She further submitted that in Baliguda block, about 20 Danda committees exist, and out of these, 13 are authorised to perform the yatra on different dates.
