Mesrams shift Nagoba deity out of shrine

The Mesram clan of the Raj Gond tribe in Adilabad on Monday moved out the serpent deity, Nagoba or Sri Shek, from the famous Nagoba temple outside Keslapur village in Indervelli mandal. The shifting of the clan deity will pave the way for construction of a bigger temple at the same spot.

About 100 Mesrams from all parts of the erstwhile district arrived early in the morning to participate in the shanti puja, which was performed by the Patels or heads and katodas or priests under the guidance of the Patadi Pardhan bards and guides.

The annual Keslapur jatara or Nagoba jatara, which is the ‘bada dev puja’ for the Buiguita branch of Mesram Raj Gonds, is increasingly attracting more devotees, mostly non-tribals. The present temple was built in 1994 at a cost of nearly ₹8 lakh, with financial aid from Tribal Welfare department and personal contributions.

As the need for increased space in the temple grew, the clan decided to go in for a bigger temple. The Raj Gonds also wanted to construct the temple with contributions raised from within the clan.

The estimated cost of the new temple would be around ₹2.5 crore, of which the Mesrams have raised over ₹1 crore. The rest will be provided by the State government.

“The event marks an important development in the ethos of the Raj Gond tribe. It will serve as an icon of the religiosity and spirituality of the Adivasis living in these parts,” observed Mesram Venkat Rao Patel.