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Odisha News, Odisha Breaking News, Odisha Latest News || Ommcom News
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The Diwali Of The Kudumis: When Cows Become The Deities Of Light

OMMCOM NEWS by OMMCOM NEWS
October 20, 2025
in Odisha

Keonjhar: While the rest of India lights up the night sky with diyas, crackers, and sweets during Diwali, the Kudumi community in Odisha’s Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts celebrates the festival in an entirely different light — one that glows with reverence, gratitude, and a deep connection to nature.

In Kenduapada, a picturesque Kudumi-dominated village in Ghatagaon block of Keonjhar, Diwali is not just a festival of lights but a celebration of the sacred bond between humans and cattle. Here, the festival stretches over three days of rituals, joy, and devotion — all centred around the worship of cows, considered symbols of prosperity and divinity.

The festivities begin much before the first lamp is lit. About ten days ahead of Diwali, villagers start plastering their houses with fresh mud, symbolizing purity and renewal. Every member of the household eagerly awaits the celebration, donning new clothes that mark both festivity and reverence.

On the evening of Diwali, the entire village gathers at the ‘Gotha’ — a common space where all cattle are assembled. The animals, freshly bathed and their horns gleaming with oil, stand as the heart of the celebration. The village priest or an elderly member performs a traditional puja, invoking the blessings of the divine.

An intriguing ritual follows — an egg is placed before the cattle, and the animals are let loose. The cow that tramples the egg first is hailed as a symbol of luck and divine favour. The cow and its owner are garlanded and taken around the village in a joyous procession marked by dancing, singing, and the rhythmic beats of the madal (traditional drum).

The second day, known as Bandana Parva, carries a quieter yet profound charm. The village lanes are freshly coated with mud and decorated with floral alpana designs. The cows walk gracefully through these artistic pathways into their sheds, an act believed to invite Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings for a good harvest and household prosperity.

Women welcome the cattle with garlands and prayers, while families prepare offerings made from freshly harvested grains to honor their ancestors. The ritual represents gratitude — to the land, the animals, and those who came before.

The final day of the celebration, called Dhingwani, is perhaps the most vibrant. The cattle, adorned with ornaments and colors, are made to dance to the beat of madal drums. The air fills with laughter, song, and rhythm — a living expression of joy and devotion that binds the community together.

For the Kudumis of Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj, Diwali is not merely a festival of lights — it’s a festival of life. It celebrates the spirit of coexistence, gratitude, and harmony between humans, animals, and nature — values that continue to illuminate their lives far beyond the glow of lamps.

Tags: Bandana ParvaDiwali Of The KudumisGhatagaon blockKudumi communityworship of cows
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