ORISSA'S RITUALS

The goddess of Small-pox, Chicken-pox, Cholera, Measles and Plague epidemics know variously in various regions. They have to be worshipped and offered a sweet drink called 'Panna' at the function of roads leading away from the village. The goddess are asked to leave the supplicant village and save it from their wrath. Among tribals the village deities and some locally believed in Hindu deities are worshipped in some cases with blood sacrifice. Some rites of rain making in drought affected areas are also worshipped by the people of Orissa. Lord Mahadeva or Shiva in a most common rite is immersed in water so that there may be flood in the area in place of drought. The Santhal tribe of Mayurbhanj district propitiates Sima Bongas with promise of special offerings as demanded through the Shaman or spirit-medium. When rains come the promised offerings are made.