Puri Rath Yatra: After two years, dancers to stage a comeback

BHUBANESWAR: Gotipua dancer Basanta Maharana (37) of Raghurajpur is eagerly looking forward to Rath Yatra in Puri on July 1 when he will be dancing during the “Pahandi” or ceremonial procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and goddess Subhadra.
In the last two years, he was not allowed to carry out this traditional service due to the restrictions imposed for Covid-19 pandemic though he used to go to Puri all decked up in case he got an opportunity.
This year on Rath Yatra, he will be starting off for Puri in the Gotipua attire and make-up at least by 6 am to perform like his grandfather and father had done over the years.
“I have been performing in front of the chariots for 25 years now. But this year the excitement is more as I have not performed in 2020 and 2021,” said Maharana of Abhinna Sundar Gotipua Nrutya Parishad, Raghurajpur.
Twelve Gotipua and Odissi dancers have been allowed by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration to perform inside the police cordon this year. During Pahandi none of the dancers follow any theme but move to the sounds of “ghanta” (cymbals) and “mardala” that is played by the sevayats in the background.
“The rain and heat fail to deter any dancer for the 3 to 4 hours when they have to dance during Pahandi,” said Odissi dancer Kumar Bhimsen (33).
The dancers start dancing when “Pahandi” starts from the “Ratna Singhasan” or seat of the three deities inside the temple and move along with the procession dancing as the deities emerge from “Singhdwar” or main entrance of the temple till they reach the “charamala” or wooden steps temporarily attached to climb the chariots.
“Earlier, I had an opportunity to climb the chariot during Pahandi and perform right in front of Lord Jagannath but now climbing is no more allowed,” said Rojalini Mohanty (38), an Odissi dancer performing in front of the deities since 2012.
All dancers consider themselves lucky for getting a chance to perform the service during Rath Yatra. “I performed for 5 to 10 minutes outside the police cordon in 2020 and 2021 as the administration did not allow us inside due to Covid restrictions. This year, I can’t wait to perform,” said Guru Narayan Pandey (45), a disciple of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.
Even the rise in Covid cases fails to deter them. “This is the greatest stage in the world. Here we do not dance for viewers but for God. And even if I get infected, I will have no regrets because it happened when I was offering seva to the divine,” said Rojalini.