Jatara and Mela-Mandai

In Bastar, the period of Jatra and Mela-Mandai starts in the month of Magh. The Muria tribal society has by this time mixed the paddy and other produce stored in their barns. There is no produce in the forest which can be stored, because at this time new shoots are sprouting after the fall of water. The Sarai (Sal) tree and the Mahua tree are laden with flowers, whose intoxicating fragrance spreads all around. Not too cold is the weather very pleasant. In such leisure moments, the tribal Muria society organizes Jatara and Mela-Mandai. Jatara means the collective special worship of the gotra deity, the deities under it. Similarly, the collective worship of goddesses is called Mandai. The purpose of organizing Jatara is to perform mass worship of deities once a year. The tribal Muria society believes that the more happily their gods play in the courtyard of the temple, the more happiness and prosperity will come to their village pargana throughout the year. Therefore, by organizing Jatar, he sacrifices to please the gods. He sings, plays, dances to play the gods in the courtyard. This is the purpose of doing Jatar. Jatara can be understood in three ways.