Ghantapatua

Ghantapatua (ଘଣ୍ଟପାଟୁଆ)
Dates	Month of Pana Sankranti
Location(s)	Odisha, India

Ghantapatuas (Odia: "ଘଣ୍ଟପାଟୁଆ") are traditional male folk dancers from the Indian state of Odisha. They work as temple servants or in the temple of the Goddess. They belong to the Bhopa or Raula caste.

Etymology

The name comes from Oriya words (brass bell) used in Jagannath temple and the goddess temples of Odisha, and (performer).

Ghata

The is an earthen pitcher filled with holy water kept on a wooden stand cemented by mud, vermilion and above it a flower-clad made up of coconut leaf sticks with flower hangings which represents the Goddess they worship.

Ghanta

The is the main accompanying instrument.

Dance

The dance is an offering to the goddesses Sarala, Hingula, Charchika, Bhagabati, Mangala and Chandi as servants.

The dance normally includes two to four men. One, the dresses as the Goddess and is the bearer and dancer. The others beat the and are called .

The keeps the on his head. He dances without touching it and with (wooden sticks) tied to each leg.

After the dance they distribute sacred bel leaves and vermilion to the public (bhaktas). People offer them money, rice, vegetables, coconut, and that they later distribute among themselves.

Performance

The dance is offered in village after village throughout the month of Chaitra (March to April) in Hindu calendar. The final performance comes on Maha Vishuva Sankranti or Pana Sankranti, which falls normally on 13 or 14 April. It is celebrated as Odia New Year.