http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danteshwari_Temple
Situated in Dantewada, south-west of Jagdalpur, at the confluence of the holy rivers Shankini and Dhankini,both the rivers of different colors,this six hundred year old temple is one of the ancient heritage sites of Bastar .Madhota Tarla, renamed as Dantewada by the great dynasty of Kaktiyas, after defeating the Nagwanshi dynasty and conquering the southern part of Bastar kingdom, they led the foundation of Maa Danteshwari temple at the confluence of river Shankini and Dankini. Earlier the prayer of Goddess was being done by Royal family only, but in the 13th century, the celebration of “Holi” incorporated the worship of Goddess Danteshwari as Faagun Mandai.
Faagun Mandai and Its important days: Faagun Shukla Shashti- KALASH STHAPNA
Starts with Maa Danteshwari and Mata Shailputri.From Maa Danteshwari temple, the “Chhatra” of Goddess is taken to Mendka-Dobra(a kind of plane ground used for all rituals) and is worshipped there . Pooja of Mata Gauri and Lord Ganesh is also done. Then they perform “Kalash-sthapna” by the ingredients of lali, paddy, rice and turmeric.
Here, Phool Pagdi rashm is also performed, where is Bandharin flower is used to make a traditional crown called “phool-pagdi”. After wearing this “pagdi”, priest goes to Lord Narayan temple nearby and brings back the palanquin of Goddess, after offering food to Goddess(mata ko bhog lagana).
Faagun Shukla Shaptmi- TAADPHALANGGA-DHUNI
In the morning, Pooja starts from the worship of Goddess Brahmacharini mata. Like the first day, the palanquin of Goddess Danteshwari is brought to Narayan temple with the guard of honour. Then priest takes “taad-phalangga”(a leaf of Palm tree) and worships at a pond nearby. In this process, there are the head priest, the asstt. priest and bara-lankawaar(means different twelve persons including tribes) .
Faagun Shukla Ashtmi- KHURKHUNDNI starts with worship of Mata Chandraghanta. Its is called “khurkhundni” because it is the day when Goddess Danteshwari is informed about other deities like Hinglajin, Dhawdain, Totakamin, Gallepalin, Ganganati .All this palanquins are then taken to Mendka-dobra, then Goddess Danteshwari is invited to Mendka-dobra by any one tribe.
Faagun Shukla Navmi- NACH-MANDMI begins with the pooja of Mata Kushmanda, wearing flower crown, priest comes to Narayan temple with all deities(palanquins).After feeding Mata, all villagers return back. Then bara-lankawaar dance and celebrate this day.
Faagun Shukla Ekadashi- LAMHA-MAAR begins with worship of Skand mata, then the palanquin of Skand mata, Goddess Danteshwari, and Maa Bhuvneshwari are brought to Narayan temple and then they are given honour of salutation. After this, the palanquins are brought back.
At night, Gayta tribal man becomes a rabbit(lamha) , the katiyar tribe becomes hunter, then they perform the act of catching prey. This act is done two times,one inside of Goddess Danteshwari temple and other in front of Narayan temple.
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