Lanjigarh: Niyamraja, the deity of Jharania and Kutia Kondh tribal communities, is worshipped grandly during this time every year during the three-day festival Niyamraja Parab.
As per tribal traditions, the sacred pillar is established at Anlabhata on the Niyamgiri Hilltop, and is seen as a great tradition of nature worship.
Niyamraja Parab generates great enthusiasm among the tribal communities in the Lanjigarh block of Kalahandi district and the Muniguda, Bisamkatak, Kalyansinghpur blocks of Rayagada district.
Niyamgiri is rich in biodiversity and thousands of tribal men and women enjoy their festival. On the last day of Niyamraja Parab, the tribal people vow to protect nature even at the cost of their lives.
The tribal people live on natural resources like the soil, water, air and forests. They had strongly opposed bauxite excavation from Niyamgiri Hills by multinationals.
After worshipping Niyamraja, they hold blood soaked rice in their fists and vow before their deity to protect nature forever. The words ‘Dhan jau jiban jau, Niyamgiri banchi thau’ come from the deeply emotional minds.
This grand tribal festival has also attracted human rights activists, the media, tourists and researchers from inside the country as well as abroad.
Niyamraja Parab has not only kept tribal culture and traditions intact, but has also ignited in them a sense of solidarity. Thousands of tribal people from 112 nearby villages participated in the Parab.
PNN