Chaiti Mahotsav: Celebrating Tribal India.
The History of Chaiti.
The Chaiti Festival, also known as Rayagada Mahotsav, stands as a vibrant testament to the rich tapestry of tribal culture in the Rayagada district of India. Established in 2005 with the primary objective of revitalizing and celebrating the indigenous traditions of the region, this annual cultural extravaganza has since become a cornerstone of Rayagada's cultural landscape. Nestled in the heart of the district, the festival has not only garnered local significance but has also evolved into a major tourist attraction, drawing attention to the diverse heritage of the area.
The inception of the Chaiti Festival can be traced back to the visionary initiative of Dr. Pramod Kumar Meherda, the then District Magistrate, who recognized the need to provide impetus to tribal culture. In its early years, the festival was organized as a mass cultural celebration, uniting communities and showcasing the richness of their heritage. However, after its initiation in 2005, the festival faced a brief hiatus in 2008
It was revived in 2009 by the then-Collector Krishna Gopal Mahapatra. In 2010, the festival opened at the 1000-year-old Devagiri temple and in 2011, the ceremonies were held at the historic Paikapada Siva temple. The main events take place over the last three days of the year at the GCD High School grounds, organized by the District Council of Culture (DCC). The highlight is an extravaganza showcasing the tribal art and culture of the district with over 500 artists from across the country. The festival is often followed by the Pallishree Mela organized by the Orissa Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS).
The Chaiti festival was launched from the ancient Shaivite site of Paikapada near Therubali in Rayagada district, which dates back to 776 AD. This historic site contains the Pataleshwar Shiva temple and shrines to various deities including Dakshin Kali, Kankali, Hara Parvati, Biranchi Narayan, Jaleshwar and even Buddha. Legend has it that nearly 100 million Shiva lingas were built at this site about 1400 years ago. In keeping with the tradition of celebrating Chaiti at locations of cultural significance, the district administration inaugurated the annual festival at this ancient temple complex.
THE LEGEND OF CHAITI
In the whimsical tale of the Chaiti Festival's inception in 2005, a legendary figure named Raja Chaitanya Das emerged as the visionary force behind this joyous celebration in Rayagada, Odisha. Raja Chaitanya Das, a mystical traveler, is said to have discovered an ancient manuscript hidden deep within the mystical caves of the Eastern Ghats.
According to this mythical text, the people of Rayagada were destined for a grand celebration that would revive their tribal culture and bring about prosperity. Intrigued by the prophecy, Raja Chaitanya Das rallied the locals and convinced the then District Magistrate, Dr. Pramod Kumar Meherda, to spearhead the effort.
In a twist of fate, a magical potion was discovered during an excavation near the Devagiri Shiva Temple. Legend has it that this potion when sprinkled during a celestial alignment, would unleash positive energy and rejuvenate the cultural spirit of the region. The first Chaiti Festival was, therefore, organized as a grand experiment to test the powers of this mystical elixir.
As the story goes, local tribal women, handpicked by the mystical forces themselves, were adorned with enchanted attire to symbolize the unity of the community. These chosen women embarked on a sacred journey, traversing the eleven blocks of the Rayagada district to collect holy water from rivers, infusing it with the magical properties of the elixir.
In an awe-inspiring ceremony at the Devagiri Shiva Temple, the elixir was sprinkled, and the festival unfolded in a burst of colors and cultural revelry. Drums echoed through the hills, and tribal dances enchanted the onlookers as the mystical forces seemed to dance alongside the celebrants.
While this fanciful tale might be nothing more than a product of imagination, the Chaiti Festival has undeniably become a real and cherished tradition in Rayagada, uniting the community in celebration of their rich cultural heritage. And so, the enchanting legend of Raja Chaitanya Das lives on as a whimsical backdrop to the vibrant festivities that grace Rayagada each December.