Nagoba Jatra Kicks Off in Grand Style at Adilabad

The Nagoba Jatra at Keslapur in Indravelli Mandal, Adilabad district, commenced in grand style on Sunday at midnight with the Mahapooja. In accordance with tribal traditions, the Mesram community performed special rituals, offering ceremonial ablutions to Nagoba with Ganga water, accompanied by traditional Sannayi drums, Dolu instruments, and the glow of lamps. The event witnessed the participation of senior officials and public representatives, while large numbers of devotees flocked to witness the celebrations.

Nagoba Jatra is renowned as the second-largest tribal festival in Asia. Following the appearance of the Pushya Nakshatra, the Mesram community marks the beginning of the festival. On December 30, the Mesram community undertook a pilgrimage from Keslapur to Hastinamadugu, collecting sacred Ganga water, which was then brought back to Keslapur. Using this holy water, the Mahapooja was performed at midnight on Sunday, officially inaugurating the festival.

The Nagoba Jatra, inaugurated with the Mahapooja, will continue until the 23rd of this month. Key events include Persapan and Ban Pen Poojas on the 20th, the Nagoba Darbar on the 22nd, and concluding ceremonies with Betal Pooja and Mandagajaling Pooja on the 23rd. Devotees are expected to arrive in large numbers not only from Telugu-speaking states but also from neighboring regions. District authorities have made special arrangements to ensure that the festival proceeds smoothly without causing any inconvenience to the devotees.