The Little Brother of the Goddesses

The Little Brother of the Goddesses 

Although there are gods in the Indian countryside who cannot go unnoticed in the landscape, this is certainly not the case with Potu Raju. He is so inconspicuous, so unspectacular, that it is possible to attend a buffalo sacrifice without ever noticing his presence or his function. Village informants themselves would doubtless not have thought to mention him were they not asked about him. However, it is not-or it is no longer-the case that they would mention him with reticence. The truth is rather that they know little about him and that only professional narrators from the Asadi caste are in a position to tell his story. As to the ritual, they are probably more capable of performing it than describing it.

Poturaju BHIMA sword belongs to the Pandavas.

The history of Malkangiri seems to be in no way less thrilling and adventurous than any other place of India. The land of dense inaccessible forest, small but beautiful rivers, undulating plateaus and splendorous rich tribal culture. Malkangiri has its history of human civilization enrooted as long as 2500 years back. Prior to the modern civilization, many mythological episodes took place in and around Malkangiri.

          During the reign of Lord Ramachandra, Malkangiri occupied an important place in the entire "The Ramayana". It was the holy river "The Tamasa" and its environs which encouraged Saint Balmiki to express his internal feelings in the form of The Ramayana, the holiest book of Hindus. This place was known as "Malyavantagiri" in the Ramayana. River the Tamasa flowing out of a cave has derived its name from a tribal word "TANSA", which means cave. Banks of this river witnessed the creation of the largest mythological the Ramayana. The scenic beauty if this Malyavantagiri has found an important place in the "Dandi Ramayana" of Balaram Das. The belief of a visit of Lord Ramachandra is further strengthen by the existance of "Sitakunda" the bath place of Godess Sita near Mudulipada. Also during the period of the Mahabharata, this place became the point of attraction for the Pandavas. They spent their "Angyatvasa"(exile) for a period of one year in the dense forest of Malkangiri. In the villages of Koyas, "PANDABOERU"(Pond) are found which they believe to be used by the Pandavas. Even during the month of January, "PATAKHANDA PARVA" is celebrated by the Koyas, a primitive tribal community in which a sword is worshiped. People believe that this sword belongs to the Pandavas. Also they celebrate the "Bhimudu Parva" during January in which "Bhima", the middle Pandava is worshiped and the Koyas believe the Bhima will save their families. Kanamraju (Lord KRISHNA), Balaraju (ARJUNA) and Poturaju (BHIMA) are three famous Lords of this area, who are being worshiped by the people. In every alternative year, Badayatra, the festival of these Lords is celebrated throughout the district.  

Potharaju, the brother of Mother Goddess

Potharaju, the brother of Mother Goddess, is represented in the procession by a well-built, bare-bodied man, wearing a small tightly draped red dhoti and bells on his ankles, and anointed with turmeric on his body and vermilion on his forehead. He dances to resounding drums

Shot taken at Santosh nagar, Hyd - BONALU

wow!...a trademark hyderabad picture! But this pothuraju seems to be maintaining a good beard style! nice to see!
HE was drunk, he bet me thrice with that hunter 
Pothuraju, a devotee of Hindu goddess Kali performs rituals during Bonalu festival at Golconda fort in Hyderabad, India, Sunday, July 6, 2008. During this festival, devotees offer prayers and sacrifice goats and hens to the goddess

Pothuraju, a devotee of Hindu goddess Kali performs rituals during Bonalu festival at Golconda fort in Hyderabad, India, Sunday, Pictures & Photos

Poturaju and Ganganamma jatara

Poturaju and Ganganamma jatara usually will happen sometime between 2nd and 3rd week of november.This is one of the big festival for  people.

people celebrate with different kinds of food,decorating bullok carts and goind around the village,recording dances,sometimes natakalu etc.

Things usually happen during jatara period:

1)Jatara poturaju gudi daggara start avuthundi.Idi usual gaa night start avutundi.
2)Decorating gada,ni vedyalu will happen.
3)Tharuvatha gada ganganamma daggariki vastundi.
4)Actual jatara starts from ganganamma.
5)People take alchohol to enjoy ,dappulu tho gada uru antha vastundi
6)Andharu pasupu nillu istaru with vepa okulu etc.Neellu gada meda postaru
7)uru antha velli marala gada ganga namma daggariki vastundi
8)gada vachina taruvatha> andaru mokkulu teerchukuntaru..ususlly mokku unna vallu cloths meda walk chestu veltaru..chakali vallu cloths change chestu untaru.
9)andaru gudi chuttlu pradakshnam chesi ni vedhalu pedatharu.
10)Recording dance kuda start avuthindi at the same time.oka tractor meda arrange chesi main corners of village lo stop chesi songs vestaru.Most of mens and youngsters will follow the recording dances.
11)Bullok carts around 3:00 PM ki start chestaru..appatiki anni ni vedhyalu ayipotayi.
Bulloks ki and other animals ki medalo pappalu vestaru..uri chuttlu terugtaru.
12) evening most of the people enjoy with chicken..usual gaa chakali vallu vachi chicken cut chesi veltharu.