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Time For The Festivity
On the Sundays of the month of 'Bhadrab' or 'Bhadra' this festival is
observed by the unmarried girls of the business community of the coastal
districts of Orissa. During the festival Goddess Durga is propitiated
'Khude Bhaja" (Left out particles of rice that are fried), 'Kantiali
Kakudi' (Cucumber having little thorns on it), 'Lia' (fried paddy),
'Ukhuda' (fried paddy sweetened by molasses) and coconut are the
food-offerings given to the deity.
However, the principal food offering is 'Khuda', which is said to be the
favourite of the Goddess. Therefore, the festival is named as "Khudarankuni"
or popularly 'Khudurkuni', which means one who is very eager for Khuda.
The Ritual
In the early morning the girls go out collecting flowers required for the
ritual. The varieties are 'Kaniara', 'Godibana', 'Tagara', 'Malati',
'Champa', 'Mandera' and 'Kain'. Then they go to nearby rivers and tanks to
have purificatory bath. After this they build tiny temples of earth or
sand and decorate the same with flowers. Paying obeisance to the deity
there, they return to their respective homes. They take two and half
mouthfuls of boiled rice mixed with water without adding salt. Then salt
is added. The significance of this act is not known. After this, the whole
day is spent in making garlands and decorating the image of the Goddess.
In villages generally the deity is worshipped in the "Dhinkisala"
or the place where caddy is pounced. This place is plastered neatly with
cow-dung and the image of the deity is installed. The floor is painted
with floral designs known as 'Jhoti' or 'Alpana'. Garlands are made to
hang like arches. The whole day passes with the arrangement and the
rituals of worship commence in the evening.
The First Episode Of Taapoi
After the ritual, is over the girls recite musically the episode of
'Taapoi', which is now available in print. Earlier, this was handed down
by oral tradition. The first episode 'Malasri' recounts the killing of the
demon by Durga. It is said, that 'Mahisasura', the terrible demon became
atrocious by getting a boon from Brahma, the creator. Not only the
mankind, but also the Gods got panicky. He became so powerful that even
Gods couldn't kill him.
Then all the Gods conferred and went to request the Goddess of power to kill
the demon. Durga agreed and assuming the form of a beautiful damsel went
to Vindhya Mountain to pretend penancing. Mahisasura, while out on
hunting, noticed the beautiful damsel and immediately offered to marry
her. The damsel answered that she would only marry that person who would
defeat her in duel.
Mahisasura being confident of his power soon agreed to the proposal. A
fierce 'duel' ensued between them; with all her energy the damsel thrusted
a trident violently to the chest of the demon who was killed. Thus, Durga
redeemed the world from the fear and atrocity of the demon. It is,
therefore, believed that the girls worship Durga to be powerful like Her,
to fight evil forces for the good of the human race.
The Second Episode Of Taapoi
The second episode 'Taapoi' is a legendary account of the sufferings and
success of a 'Sadhab' (Sea trader) girl. lt also reminds us of the
maritime glory of ancient Orissa, when there was sea-borne trade with
southeast islands of Java, Bali, Sumatra etc. The Sadhabas of Orissa were
a prosperous community who had trade-links with many countries.
The Legend Of Taapoi
According to this tale, there were seven brothers in a prosperous Sadhaba
family. Taapoi was their only sister who was also the youngest. Obviously
they bestowed their love and affection on her lavishly. Whatever she
wished immediately her demands were fulfilled. One day the little girl was
playing with her friends with a winnow, made out of bamboo strips. A
Brahmin widow of wicked nature scoffed at this.
Being hurt the girl demanded a golden winnow to play and it was given.
Again she demanded a moon of Gold. When it was half done her father died.
When it was completed her mother died. By that time the family also became
poor. The seven brothers then set out on their voyage to distant lands for
trading and while leaving left clear instructions to their respective
wives to take special care of their lovely sister.
Soon after the brothers left the seven wives fell on the bad counsel of
the Brahmin widow who impressed upon them that the cause of their poverty
is the girl for whom they were so lavish. Soon they changed their
attitude. She was not given good food or clothes. She was made to live on
Khuda (left out rice particles) and was engaged to watch goats in the
jungle. Inspite of unbearable torture she waited patiently for her
brothers to return. The youngest sister-in-law was kind to her, but
couldn't come to her rescue because of the six others.
Amidst all sufferings Taapoi held her morale high. All the while she was
praying Durga ('Mangala') for the safe return of her brothers. She
worshipped the Goddess along with other girls and offered Khuda, as she
had nothing else. Her sincere and devotional prayer yielded fruit and her
brothers returned safely. They landed on the shore at night and while
resting on the vessel they heard the wailing sound of a girl.
Being curious as to who was crying they searched the area and found to
their utter dismay, that she was none else than their dear sister. As the
pet goat 'Gharamani' was missing, she was driven out by the in-laws and
without being able to find the goat she was helplessly crying. Seeing her
brothers, her joys knew no bounds. The brothers heard all about her plight
at the hands of their wives. To punish them they asked their sister to cut
their noses. But, their noses were restored when she again prayed the
Goddess. Then all of them went happily home.
These two episodes set two ideals before the girls who observe the
festival. One is to be courageous like Durga to fight evil forces and the
other to be like Taapoi to bear all sufferings patiently to come out
successful in life.
The idols of Durga are then immersed in rivers and tanks and this marks
the closing of the festival.
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