Nagoba Jatara is a significant tribal festival held in Keslapur village, Telangana, by the Mesram clan of Gond tribes. Celebrated in honor of the deity Nagoba (Cobra), it features key rituals like the Holy Water Ritual and Bhetay Ceremony, along with the Gusadi Dance. It is the second-largest tribal festival in India.
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Nagoba Jatara, the eight-day holy pilgrimage event of Mesram clan Adivasi Gonds, is slated to start at Keslapur village in north Telangana’s tribal heartland.
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Aspect |
Details |
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Location |
Keslapur village, Adilabad district, Telangana |
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Time of Celebration |
January/February |
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Tribal Group |
Mesaram clan of Gond tribes |
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Significance |
Second largest tribal festival in India (after Sammakka Saralamma Jatar) |
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Participating States |
Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh |
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Main Deity |
Nagoba (Sri Shek - Cobra) |
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Duration |
10 days |
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Key Rituals |
Holy Water Ritual: Older Mesram clan members bring holy water from the Godavari River and place it near the banyan tree in front of the Nagoba temple. |
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Bhetay Ceremony: New brides, dressed in white saris, are introduced into the clan and worship Nagoba before being recognized as full-fledged clan members. |
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Special Attraction |
Gusadi Dance – Traditional dance performed by the Gond Tribe. |
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Festival |
Description |
Significance |
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Sammakka Saralamma Jatar |
The largest tribal festival in Telangana, celebrated in honor of tribal goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma. |
Celebrated by the Koya and other tribal communities, it symbolizes the valor and sacrifice of the goddesses. |
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Bonalu |
A popular Hindu festival where offerings (Bonalu) are made to the Goddess Mahakali. |
A key festival in Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana, it involves rituals, processions, and colorful celebrations. |
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Bathukamma |
A floral festival celebrated by women, where they create a flower stack (Bathukamma) and worship Goddess Gauri. |
A festival celebrating the beauty of nature and women, as well as the harvest season. |
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Nagoba Jatar |
A tribal festival celebrating the deity Nagoba (Cobra), observed by the Mesaram clan of the Gond tribe. |
The second largest tribal festival in India, it involves prayers, rituals, and traditional dances. |
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Ugadi |
The Telugu New Year, celebrated with traditional rituals and festivities. |
A celebration marking the beginning of the new lunar year in the Telugu calendar. |
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Diwali |
The festival of lights, celebrating the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. |
Celebrated widely across Telangana with decorations, fireworks, and feasts. |
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Makar Sankranti |
A harvest festival marking the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign Capricorn. |
Celebrated with kite flying, special sweets, and prayers for a good harvest. |
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Ramzan (Eid-ul-Fitr) |
A significant Islamic festival marking the end of Ramadan, celebrated with prayers and feasts. |
A day of thanksgiving and celebration for the completion of fasting during Ramadan. |
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Christmas |
Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ with prayers and feasts. |
Celebrated by the Christian community in Telangana with church services, prayers, and festivities. |
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Lumbini Festival |
A Buddhist festival held to commemorate the birth of Lord Buddha. |
Observed primarily in the Nagarjunasagar region, it promotes Buddhist culture and heritage. |
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Cultural Festivals: Ugadi, Gudi Padava & More
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Which of the following festivals are celebrated in the state of Telangana?
Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1, 2, and 4 only (b) 1, 3, and 4 only (c) 2, 3, and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3, and 4 Answer: (a) Explanation: Sammakka Saralamma Jatar, Bonalu, and Bathukamma are major festivals celebrated in Telangana. Baisakhi is primarily celebrated in Punjab and parts of northern India, and is not a major festival in Telangana. |
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