History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v2.c35.s1.3

v2.c35.s1.3

Further proof of such connection is also furnished by the nature of a certain religious ceremony observed in this particular area. The village of Telkupi lies in the zemindary of the Raja of Panchakote, who lives in the village of Kashipur near Adra. On the first day of the Bengali year (1st of Vaisakha), a ceremony is performed in the middle of the river-bed at Telkupi. Two umbrellas, made of bamboo, are adorned with garlands of *keṣ* flowers and carried in procession with music to the river-bed. There they are set up in the sand with due ceremonies, when goats are sacrificed and cakes (*piṭhā*) are offered. One of the umbrellas is dedicated on behalf of the "rajah of Kashipur," and the other in the name of the "gajapati sing of Puri." This was reported to the present writer, about two years ago, by an old man named Rakhal Bhandari (aged about 60) of Telkupi, who is himself a priest connected with local ceremonies. It is said that soon after the umbrellas have been posted in the ground, there arises a storm which sweeps away the umbrellas, garlands and everything which is placed there. This is supposed to signify the formal acceptance of the gifts by the deity worshipped.