31/08/2022
KHUDURKUNI OSHA
Tapoi was the princess of their cottage was born to a very rich trader family along with seven brothers. Being the dearest of all she was given whatever she wished for. Once in a very fair day, she desired to get her a golden moon (a moon-shaped gold ornament. The family did not delay despite a few obstacles. By the completion of her present, her parents were no more. This gave a financial shock to the family of Tapoi, her brothers along with their wives. When the maritime voyages started off, all her brothers went for trading leaving Tapoi with their beloved wives. Initial days went on to be lovely and enjoyable. All of them shared a pleasing bond. But every story has its villain. The wicked Brahmin widow with her fictitious ideas influenced her sisters-in-law. And this influence made them torture Tapoi in every way possible.
The sweetest of them was her youngest sister-in-law who would always love and caress Tapoi. She escaped from this anguish and went away with only “Khuda” (broken rice) to feed herself. While wandering one day she saw girls worshipping Goddess Mangala. With those little girls she Tapoi prayed to get away from that distress and sufferings. Being penniless Tapoi offered with “Khuda”. And pleaded for the return of her brothers and also pledged to fast every Sunday. How can the prayers leave unheard? The Goddess soon heard her prayers and her brothers returned. Her brothers knowing the oppression and plight of their dearest went on the search of their sister. Tapoi was decked up as a goddess by her brother was taken to the ship. The wives of the brother ran to the ship to look after their returned husbands. Tapoi then avenged her sufferings by cutting off the nose of their wives except for the youngest. Since then Goddess Mangala is worshipped by the young girls for the well being, prosperity of their brother.
Goddess mangala
The ritual of Kudurukuni Osha
This celebration has some strange characteristics like the rites slightly differ from the rural to urban in terms of availability of resources. At the rural level, the goddess is worshipped at the “dhinkisala” where the paddy is pounced. In the urban, where it is difficult to get to a water body, the ritual takes place at the home with familiar arrangements. There are little differences that remain from place to place considering the comfort and course. The story of Tapoi is placed on the coast for which the families from coastal cities widely in the practice of tradition. One more peculiarity of this Khudurukuni is the Brahmins are exempted from this tradition considering the fact the protagonist Tapoi went through the agony because of the deceptive ideas of the “Brahmin widow”.
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Dhinkisala – where the paddy is pounced.
In modern times when traditions and culture are fading away, tales like Tapoi have etched the hearts of the folks. Being a really immemorial tradition of fasting for brother’s welfare and victory, Khudurukuni is observed and celebrated every year with much fanfare and gaiety. Despite the ravages of time this has managed to withstand and is still popularly celebrated in both rural and urban territories. It is the belief and hope of the devotees who believe in the last read of the Tapoi book narrative “Khudurukuni e atai, Jaha magiba taha pai” which loosely states that Goddess Khudurukuni (Mangala) can fulfill all your wishes” The festival is a sign of the hope of virtues and end of the miseries which would be a blessing from the Goddess.
Source -Explore utkal
