Dhalo

Dhaalo, is a festival of women folk which is celebrated for 5-7 days in the month of Poush annually. The communities like Gawda, Bhandari, Naik perform the Dhaalo.

On the stipulated day, the women folk of that wado gather at the sacred place called 'Dhaalem Maand'. This Maand invariably should have a Tulsi Vrindavan and enough of space for dancing. The Tulsi Vrindavan plays a significant role in the proceedings of the Dhaalo. The first ritual is to light a traditional lamp by the Maandkaar woman and give a call to others to participate in the Dhaalo through a song.

Initially the participants stand in two rows facing each other by putting their arms around the other's waist. The entire row is called 'Faanti'. The row moves forward by plain walking. The entire row then bows down when it meets the other line and also while coming back. At this time particular traditional songs are sung and at the end of the verse the bowing is done. This bowing is called Naman i.e salutation. It is a bow to the mother earth-goddess and forest goddess as they describe the wealth of nature through their songs.

From next day, a variety of dance items, locally known as Khell are performed during all nights. A few incidences which have occurred in their life are danced in a theatrical style. The main attraction of Dhaalo is to have a mock hunting scene in which a lady acts as a male by wearing a cloth turban on her head.

On the last day Dhaalo, a young girl, who has not entered into puberty gets possessed by the divine spirit. This is called 'Rambhaa yetaa'. In a rhythmic dance style the girl is cordoned by others.

At last, the cow dung paste is daubed on the dancing ground (Maand) and the deities invoked earlier are requested to retire to their abode. The coconut placed on the first day is broken and pieces of kernel are mixed with jaggery and are distributed to the gathering.