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The most virile and spectacular dance during the religious
processions in the district of
Puri
is known as Naga dance. Generally young and energetic men are chosen for
the dance.
Costumes
The costume is heavy and elaborate. The dancer wears a huge headgear
profusely decorated with silver ornaments and a false beard almost
covering the face. Multi-coloured attached in two bamboo sticks are
tightly fitted to the arms.
With jerky movement of the shoulders he dances in heroic steps. Sometimes
he holds a gun. He moves at the head of the procession along with the
drummers who provide rhythm to his movements. Formerly the dance was
confined to Brahmins only, but now people of other castes perform it as
well.