Nagoba Jatara

January 29, 2025

The Nagoba Jatara is an important tribal festival celebrated by the Mesram clan of Adivasi Gonds in Keslapur village, Telangana. This eight-day event started on January 28 and is regarded as the second largest Adivasi fair in India. It draws participants from various states including Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh. The festival showcases the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Gond community.

Significance of the Festival

Nagoba Jatara is dedicated to the serpent deity Nagoba.
The event strengthens the bond between Adivasis and nature.
The festival reinforces traditional customs and collective identity among the Gonds.

Rituals and Ceremonies

The festival begins with the ‘Varooli Prathishta’, where an anthill of clay is made for the deity.
This is followed by the Sri Nagoba Maha Puja, marking the festival’s official commencement. P
ilgrims bring holy water from the Godavari River, which is used in various rituals throughout the event.

Community Participation

The Jatara attracts thousands of participants. Elders of the Mesram clan play a central role in the rituals. They perform the ‘Bheting’ ceremony, where new brides are introduced to the clan. This process ensures their acceptance within the community and connection to their deities.

Traditional Offerings

Participants offer naivedyam, a form of thanksgiving for the harvest. The offerings include freshly harvested food grains carried in bamboo baskets. Bamboo symbolises the Gonds’ connection to their forest environment.

Cultural Performances

The festival features various cultural activities, including music and dance. The Gusadi Dance is a highlight, showcasing the vibrant traditions of the Gond tribe. Traditional folk music accompanies the celebrations, enhancing the festive atmosphere.

Who are Gonds?

The Gonds are one of India’s largest tribal groups.
They live in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh.
Their language, Gondi, is related to Telugu.
As per the 2001 Census, their population was 11 million (it was 5.01 million in 1971).
The first Gond kingdom, Chanda, was founded in 1200 AD.
The Marathas took control of Gond territories until the Third Anglo-Maratha War, after which the British took over.
The British restricted Gond access to forests, leading to the Bastar Rebellion in 1910 against British rule.

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