Maa Manikeswari: The Tutelary Goddess of Kalahandi

Anami

Maa Manikeswari: The Tutelary Goddess of Kalahandi

***Jai Maa Manikeswari!*** ***Every time any Kalahandia is to start something new or wants anything to go smoothly, he is to recall custodial Maa, Maa Manikeswari, the protector of the land. Headless, yet every head bows near her. A dive into the tempting story of Maa's installation.***

Entrance of Maa Manikeswari Mandir, Bhawanipatna. Image Source: Gapu Photography

Deity Manikeswari is the tutelary goddess of Kalahandi. The name of the diety is significant as it is believed to have originated it's name from the word ‘Manikya'(Ruby). Kalahandi is packed with numerous gemstones including Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Topaz and many others gemstones. Until 18th century, Kalahandi was known as “Karund" and the Naga kings were named ‘Karundadhipati'. According to the historians, the base metal of Ruby is called as ‘Corundum' whose Sanskrit name is 'Korund' or 'Korundum'. Eventually, this is how both the land and her goddess got their names.

Chattar Yatra is a festival that takes place during the Mahastami of Durga Puja. The rituals of Konds' Nabakalevara(the renewal of post-worship) is performed. Lakhs of devotees gather around with astounding enthusiasm and spiritual fervor. Maa Manikeswari comes out for a march from the gharbhagriha on Mahastami in the midnight to Jenakhal. The jatra continues on Mahanavami with Nagar Paribhramana. The deity is covered with beautiful dotted black cloth. Myriad devotees gather around to please maa with the sacrifices of animals including goats, sheeps, hens and sparrows. The animals are beheaded and the whole city takes a blood bath. Sparrows are left independent and most of them like magnets go sit on the top of the Maa Manikeswari.

Numerous Ghumura Veer Badya troops perform the ritual dance alluring every spectators. A lot other nishaan, dhol, ghanta, dance, natya troops set the tempo of the day. Although, animal sacrifice is strictly banned, almost around 50,000 animal sacrifices take place everywhere.

From the inscriptions of Jatanpal, Dantewara and Bhairamgarh , the Chindaknaga kings of 12th and 13th century are found to be the worshippers of Goddess Manikya Devi. For the virtual competition among different powers to enrich the title of “Trikalingadhipati", political disturbance spiked amongst Somavamsi, Kalachuri, Chhindaknaga, Ganga dynasties and Kalahandi resulting in many battles.

Chindaknaga suffered a huge loss due to the friendship it had with the Gangas, when Kalachuries crushed Chakrakota Nagar of Chhindaknaga to terrorise Gangas. Anangabhima Deva defeated Kalachuri leader Pratapa Malla and brought back the lost glory of Gangas. With taking over Kalachuris, Gangas as a respect to Chindaknagas adopted Manikya Devi.

With the sand of times, Gangas leader weakened and as the land turned vassal, local powers like Chauhans of Bolangir and Nagas of Kalahandi raised their heads. Records from Naga rulers depict that the death of 6th Naga King, Harichandra Deo, compelled his widow queen and his son Ramachandra Deo to take shelter in her maternal house at Gadapur, who belonged to Ganga dynasty. Later, when the prince grew young, the denizens, Kondh Umras, requested the queen and the prince to return back. While returning back, Ramachandra brought Manikya Devi back and established her in Jugsaipatna in the form of Maa Manikeswari. Later, he installed Manikeswari at Bhandesir Garh (now Bhawanipatna) and ruled from present Junagarh.

During the rule of Fatenarayan Deo, 27th king of Naga dynasty, an epidemic broke out in the capital where the 2nd son became its victim. It is believed that the eldest son recovered from the epidemic only when the king prayed before deity Manikeswari. It is when the capital was shifted to Bhawanipatna from Junagarh.

This incident reinforced Fatenarayan Deo's belief over Manikeswari and in the year 1852, he installed the temple in Bhawanipatna. Later in the year 1935, King Brajamohan Deo constructed a mammoth 56 feet tall temple in the form of Rekha Daula. The temple consists of a Sanctum and a pillared mandapa. Astonishingly the Manikeswari deity of Bhawanipatna is headless and the body is only a cylindrical structure. The body is always covered with ornaments and clothes.

Apart from Bhawanipatna, Maa Manikeswari is also worshipped in Paralakhemundi, Kashipur, Sonepur, Sankhemundi, Thuamul Rampur and Jugsaipatna.