Keonjhar, October 10 (LocalWire): The locals in the Telkoi block here observed the traditional worship of sword on Vijayadashmi, the tenth day of the Durga puja.
The traditional worship of sword concluded with the procession from Binjabahal village, 65 km from here, to Telkoi and handing over of the sword to the police officer at the police station
The ritual was started in 1931 by the King of Keonjhar Sri Balabhadra Bhanj after he appointed people from Binjabahal, Oria, Kaliahota, and Nuangada as Paikas (soldiers) on the Dhenkanal border for the protection of the Charigada region in the block.
Charigada is the bordering area of Keonjhar and the Dhenkanal district.
As per their tradition the head of the Paikas worship the sword from Mahasaptami, the seventh day of Durga puja.
On Vijayadasami, the Paikas headed by their leader (Dalapati) take out a procession, dressed in traditional attire, including the traditional weapons.
The procession with traditional dance and music proceeds to the Telkoi police station where the sword is handed over to in-charge of the police station.
During the procession, the Paikas display several traditional warrior art forms.
Following the tradition, Dalapati Jagamohan Sahu offered puja to the historical sword from Mahasaptami and handed it over to the inspector-in-charge of Telkoi police station.
Later, the police officer offered puja to the sword and returned it back to the Dalapati. The officer also felicitated the warriors and distributes prasad.
LocalWire