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Deodhani Trance fest breaks all records in Kamakhya

Guwahati, 18th August 2008

The hills of Nilachal gripped with devotees thronging to the historical Kamakhya temple at the three day long Deodhani dance festival which is been celebrated for the Dance or trance offering to goddess Kamakhya. The festival this year crosses the previous record of its viewers from inside the state and other parts of the country.

According to the mythology the Kamakhya temple which is considered to be at the highest level of Shaktism in Hindu cult offering this rituals from the history old period and which now a days gradually becoming one of the top tourism attraction for the people who see India in rituals and customs. “The Kamakhya temple has the most ancient place where the goddess Kamakhya is offered this Nitya Bhog. Goddess Kamakhya is offered with the sacrifice of animals and pigeons where the devotees dance in two variations of dance form- one the semi-classical and the other in trance form which is mostly in aerobatic form” said Nikhilesh, a devotee and dancer from Orissa who added that the all have been surprised to see the viewers gathering this time which is more than expected. “Day by day Kamakhya is regaining its glory with its customs and after the great Ambubasi mela, the Deodhani Nritya Dance Festival is the most liked festival where thousands of the devotees and tourist sit on the pavilion to view the trance form of offering the Goddess that is the most unique in Hindus. This time we are pleased to capture a record gathering of nearly 23 thousand viewers for the festival and it is increasing everyday as the fest will be observed for three days”, he added.

But beside many hazards the temple witnessed the flock of devotees which is un predictable. “It’s so crowded this time that we needed to take our seats one hour before the festival. The dance begins at the evening and rolls to the dawn where they perform the typical Deodhani dance which is a unique way to express the sacrifice of their lives for the holy goddess”, revealed Professor Amar jeet Sengupta from Jadavpur University of Kolkata, who has been coming to he fest for the last eight years and doing a research on it.

According to the Kamakhya Debattor Board the multiplication of the devotees is an obvious positive sign. “Last year it was nearly 14 and 12 thousand in year before that but this time it’s the highest that is 22, 654. We have tried to arrange the allocation and food supply to the devotees with the help of few NGOs and Government departments but it still needs a better Government approach as the Rhythm festival is getting higher popularity across the globe fast”, said Rupesh Dutta from the Board.The Deodhani Dance prevalent in Mangaldoi and southwest Kamrup area, which is linked to the Sukanani Oja-Pali, said Dutta.

“It’s indeed a pleasure to host such big crowd in the most historical and devotional place of the country, Kamakhya and the Board has been sincerely doing it for long. The Government is also extending its hand for the success of the festivals and surely we will do the best in near future to maintain the temple glory to the highest and prestigious status”, informed Rockybul Hussain, Assam State Tourism Department who also boosted over the road renovation and other facility given to the temple in recent period.

The security of the temple which is always undergone many threats from Muslim outfits extended to highest level during the festival. “We are scanning the devotees and given no priority to trespass any suspicious people but the huge public response of the fest this time has created a hectic job for us. The temple is one of the most whole places of Hindu gathering and we are trying to give it the maximum security.

Many animal protection organizations though agitated the pigeon and goat sacrifice in the temple.

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