Four-day Mahotsav brings together traditional performances, folk culture and community participation ahead of Maa Kandhunidevi’s ceremonial Kantapidha ritual on October 3.
Sorada, Ganjam: The Maa Kandhunidevi Kantapidha Mahotsav was inaugurated in Sorada on September 29, marking the beginning of four days of cultural celebrations ahead of the centuries-old Kantapidha Yatra scheduled to culminate on October 3.
The Mahotsav was inaugurated by Ganjam District Magistrate V. Keertibhasan as the Chief Guest. The inaugural ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Odia film actor Asrumochan Mahanty, Samir Kumar Jena, Project Director of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) and District Urban Development Agency (DUDA), SDPO Aska Sourav Pradhan, Sub-Collector, Bhanjanagar, Uma Shankar Behera, along with the BDO, Bhanjanagar, the Tahsildar, Sorada, and other officials and guests.
The inaugural ceremony was held under the leadership of Sorada MLA and Maa Kandhunidevi Development Trust president Nilamani Bishoyi, with support from the Trust secretary and event head Rajanikant Mahapatra, who coordinated and managed the programme.
The opening evening presented a vibrant celebration of India’s diverse folk traditions, with performances representing Odisha, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Nagaland. The Natraj Dance Group from Kolkata and other participating cultural troupes showcased Jhumar dance of West Bengal, Nagaland’s tribal dance traditions, Sambalpuri dance from Odisha and Kalbelia dance from Rajasthan. The performances added colour and energy to the celebrations while highlighting the cultural diversity and folk heritage that the Mahotsav seeks to bring together.
The cultural programme also provided a platform to underline the importance of preserving the festival’s centuries-old traditions. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Trust secretary and event head Rajanikant Mahapatra appealed to the district administration to facilitate recognition of the Kantapidha festival in the State’s Mahotsav list. He said such recognition would help the historic tradition receive greater institutional support and provide a stronger platform for its preservation and promotion.
Responding to the appeal, District Magistrate V. Keertibhasan assured the gathering that the district administration would take steps towards facilitating the festival’s recognition at the state level. He emphasised that preserving such priceless cultural traditions for future generations was a collective responsibility and that efforts were needed to ensure that the centuries-old convention continued to find its rightful place in the state’s cultural landscape.
Trust president Nilamani Bishoyi also stressed the social and cultural significance of the festival. In his address, he described the colourful celebration associated with the Khidisingi Dynasty as a tradition that promotes harmony in society. He emphasised the need to preserve its cultural and moral values and pass them on to future generations.
The Mahotsav will continue until October 2, leading up to the main Kantapidha Yatra on October 3.
The concluding day is expected to witness the most distinctive and deeply revered ritual associated with the festival. According to local tradition and belief, Maa Kandhunidevi is believed to enter the body of the chief priest, known as the Dehuri, during the ritual. The Dehuri then carries out a ceremonial procession through the town, allowing devotees to seek the Goddess’s blessings.
The ritual culminates in the Dehuri mounting a ceremonial bed of thorns, known as the ‘Kanta Pidha’. The ritual is regarded by devotees as the defining spiritual moment of the annual Yatra and is closely associated with the name Kantapidha.
The festival’s traditions are rooted in Sorada’s royal, tribal and religious heritage and have been preserved across generations. The annual celebration of Maa Kandhunidevi brings together religious devotion, folk culture and community participation, making the Kantapidha Yatra an important part of Sorada’s cultural identity.
With the Mahotsav now underway, Sorada is gearing up for the grand culmination on October 3, when the centuries-old ritual tradition of Kantapidha will once again draw devotees and visitors to the town.
