Nagoba Jatara Keslapur – Unique Telangana Tribal Culture
The myriad hues of the lifestyle and culture of the people inhabiting this vast country forms an essential part of Indian tourism and dons it with a garb of uniqueness. The Nagoba Jatara that occurs in the village of Keslapur in Adilabad district is one such unique event. Located at a distance of 32 km from Adilabad district center, Keslapur has been donned a special significance in tourism itineraries owing to the occurrence of this Jatara.
The Jatara which is an annual celebration by the Mesaram clan of the Gond tribes is a five day event. It is a huge event which receives participation from the Gond tribes of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh.
Members of the Mesaram clan revere the serpent God Nagoba which forms the main essence of this Jatara. The Nagoba, also known as Shesh Nag, is the divine serpent of Lord Shiva. They offer their respects and seek the blessings of the serpent God through rituals and ceremonies observed during the Jatara. Uttnooris, the place housing the temple of Nagoba where the Jatara is held is located at a distance of 25 km from Keslapur village. Pilgrims who visit this Nagoba Temple wear no footwear and walk barefoot to maintain the purity and holiness of the rituals. Also pilgrims travel using bullock carts only.
Part of this ritual includes introducing newly married women to the clan by paying tribute to Nagoba, the serpent God. Women who have been married earlier but for some reason have not been able to participate in this ritual are also included. The women along with their mother-in-law touch the feet of the priests and carry a new earthenware pot to fetch water from Hastina madugu of river Godavari in Jannaram mandal near to Nagoba temple. The water is then used to make an anthill which is subsequently worshipped as a sacred object. The women then congregate at the ‘Govad’ an enclosure close to the temple and prepare Naivedyam or offering to the Lord on 22 makeshift ovens corresponding to the 22 of the Mesaram clan. The Naivedyam or the offering to the Lord comprises nine different types of food grains. The women cover their faces with their own saris and reveal their faces to Nagoba on entering his shrine. This indicates that the Lord is the first person they behold when they enter the clan on the new moon day. This is considered to be extremely auspicious for the new entrants.
In the night, Gonds perform Mahapuja of Serpent God Nagoda (also called as Parsa Pen or Great God). The Mahapuja marks the start of the Nagoba Tribal Jatara.
The Nagoba Jatara is marked by the Gusadi dance performance which is perhaps the biggest attraction of the event. Dancers from the Gond tribe wear colorful traditional head gears which are decorated with peacock feathers. They tie a cotton band around their waists and smear ash on their body. The lilting music and the perfect synchronization of the Gond dancers as they tap their feet and sway their bodies rhythmically in tune with the music provides for a perfectly fascinating watch.
The festival occurs in the Pushya Masham corresponding to the English months December to January. This is considered to be an auspicious month and members of the Gond Tribe from different parts of the country congregate at Keslapur to offer their prayers and devotion to Nagoba.
The Nagobo Jatara is a unique event and should not be missed while on a trip to Adilabad.
Special Attractions:
– The Gusadi Dance performance by dancers from the Gond tribe is a major attraction of the event.
– View of hige number of Pilgrims using bullock carts gives a perfect feel of the Jatara
Specialty of the place:
– The Nagoba Temple which houses the serpent God Nagoba also known as Shesh Nag renders the place a unique perspective
Distance to Nagoba Jatara Keslapur:
– Distance from Hyderabad to Keslapur Nagoba Temple is 326 Kms
– Distance from Karimnagar is approx. 183 Kms
– Distance from Warangal is 235 Kms
– Distance from Adilabad is 32 Kms
Nearby by Tourist Attractions:
– Pochera Waterfalls
– Kuntala Waterfalls
– Jainath Temple
Where to stay: The Uttnoor Taluk offers some basic accommodation facilities. There is one guest house and another R & B Guest House in the nearby Uttnoor taluk.
How to reach:
– Buses ply between Uttnoor and major cities and districts like Hyderabad, Warangal, Karimnagar and Adilabad. Once in Uttnoor, tourists can avail local transport to reach Keslapur.
Nearest Railway Station: The Sirpur Kagaznagar Rail Way Station near to Kagaznagar located at a distance of 23 km from Keshlapur is easily reachable from near by towns. However, the Kazipet Railway Junction located at a distance of 174 KM from Keshlapur is a major railway junction.
Useful Contact Numbers:
– Adilabad Tourism Officer : 9440816087
– State Tourism Department: 040-23450444, 1800-42-545454