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The Chauhan king Balaram Dev in the capital town of Sambalpur and in vassal states and Zamidaries of Sambalpur inaugurated Ranjta Festival. This festival is observed every year on the night of 10th day of Suklapaksha of the month of Aswin associated with the 'Patakhanda' or (Royal sword). In the Ranjta festival, the family deity of the Chauhan kings is still worshipped. The common people also take part in the festival and they demonstrate the martial skills learnt from the erstwhile soldiers of the Jamindars, to the sound of the martial drum beating. Thousands of people assemble to join the festival, which exhibits the racial indiscrimination as the key feature of the cultural trait of Jharsuguda. The famous Rathajatra of Puri, the traditional culture of Utkal, reflects the Hindu Culture as an important cultural characteristic of Jharsuguda. The festival centers round the Puri Shri Jagannath Temple. This cultural festival of Jharsuguda has a religious flavor which demonstrates the religious fervor of the Hindu as their cultural trait. Following the epical story Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra & Devi Subhadra visit the house of their aunt (Mousimaa) in the respective Chariots namely Nadighosa, Taladwhaja & Darpadalana through the 'Badadhanda' on the 2nd day of the bright lunar fort night of the month of "Asdha" and return to Shree Mandir on the 10th day of the bright lunar fortnight. This festival is popularized as the Rathajatra in Jharsuguda. The Gokulastami Jatra reveals the agrarian culture of Jharsuguda district. Gokulastami Jatra is observed by pomp and grandeur, from the time of the Jamindar of Rajpur who were the descendent of 'Madhukar Sai' the king of Sambalpur. The festival signifies the agrarian culture representing the welfare of cattle and other domestic animals used in agriculture. The farmers of Rajpur observed this festival 8th day of bright fortnight in the month of Margasira focusing the Jagannath Temple. On the occasion of Makar Sankranti the man committee of the Jagannath temple organizes 'Sabita Rathajatra'. A colorful fair takes place centering the occasion of "Sabita Rathajatra". The Sabita Rathajatra is associated with the religious beliefs and ideas of the Hindus. The festivals of Jharsuguda, though distinct in character, represent Hinduism as the basic trait of their culture. |
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