With a puja performed at the Maa Bhandara Gharani, the presiding deity of Nabarangpur district, the Mondei festival has begun here on Friday. The rituals were performed at the Goddess's temple to obtain her divine ordain (Agyanmala).
Chief guest SC and ST Development Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi, Chairperson of District Planning Committee and local MLA Manahar Randhari, Chairperson of Tribal Development Council Motiram Nayak, Chairperson of Odisha Film Development Corporation Muna Khan, Dabugam MLA Bhujabala Majhi, Umerkote MLA Subash Gond, Chairperson of
Nabarangpur Municipality Basanti Soura, Chairperson of Umerkote Municipality Pinki Agrawal and Collector Rashmita Panda were present at the inaugural puja and procession.
The colourful carnival procession moved from the Mahatma Gandhi Marg, passed through the main thoroughfares of the town and reached near the festival podium at the Police ground. Besides the traditional folk dance troupes, students from various schools, colleges and members of various outfits participated in the procession. The Mondei carnival reached Mondei Rangamanch in the evening. The symbolic Mondei Mahotsav Bima and Bhimani were installed near the Mondei ground. Later, the Palishree Mela was inaugurated by the chief guest.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Majhi said it is through the Mondei that the district showcases the hidden talent and also reaches out to the people to create awareness about different Government schemes. It is an opportunity for the cottage and rural industries to display their products at the handicrafts exhibition, Majhi said.
MLA Randhari narrated different developmental steps of the State Government to improve health, education, transportation facility of the district.
Nabarangpur MP Balabhadra Majhi criticised the Center's attitude towards the backward district for delay in a rail project and a by-pass road of the town.
Presiding over the meeting, Collector Rashmita Panda said that the 'Mondei' festival strives to proclaim the rich heritage of art, culture and tradition of Nabarangpur district.
As many as eight cultural troupes performed their dances on day one. Some of the attractions of the festival were Nepal folk dance, Chau, Gotipua Bihu and Sambalpuri dance.
The District Supply and Marketing Society (DSMS) is organising the five- day Pallishree Mela on the sidelines of the festival. This year, 200 stalls selling household articles, forest produce and food products have been set up at the mela.