Man is a social animal. Since time immemorial he has been growing in the lap of society. In society he is born & in society he grows. Social structures first appeared in the banks of springs, rivers, lakes & oceans.
Amongst the holy rivers of Orissa, though small, Bhargavi witnessed the growth of a number of ancient cultural epicenters along its bank. Whatever remains of these heritage symbols, those are the silent witness & narrators of a glorious past. Balakati is one of these remaining heritage symbols.
Even today Balakati still remains as a heritage center due to its ancient history & its geographical location. The first ray of sunrise lits the sparkling waters of Bhargavi & soil, air & water of Balakti. There are many heritage wonders of Orissa which lie hidden in Balakati. This becomes apparent by a careful study of its environment & current state. These wonders helped in the development of art, culture, religion & heritage of Orissa. These wonders also helped in providing security to Orissa’s political integrity. There is no particular village which is named Balakati. The whole area is known as Balakati.
It is heard from local sources that the historical name Balighati (Sand Ghaat) morphed with time into the current name Balakati.
The holy rivers Bhargavi, Daya & Kuakhai flow alongside Balakati. On the banks of Daya, Dhauli Mountain stands as a mute witness of the famous Kalinga War. This mountain is dedicated to Lord Buddha & it spreads his words of Peace throughout the world.
Amid the grand population center of Balakati stretches the historically famous “Jagannath Sadak” (The Road of Lord Jagannath). Through this road since ancient times many saints & pilgrims used to travel to see Lord Jagannath thus making the soil of Balakati holy.
Around Balakati lie the historical villages of Dhauli Gada, Sisupala Gada, Gadasrirampur, Umadei Brahmapur, Hirapur, Nagapur, Pratapsasan & Rathijema. There is a story behind the naming of Rathijema. It is heard from local sources that the then Gajapati Maharaj used to assemble (Jama) fighters (Rathis) on the berth on the river bank (Ghaat) thus making the name Rathijema.
There is proof that in the year 1510 Lord Sri Chaitanyadev while going to Puri (Srikhetra) along with his disciples through this road took rest at the Madan Mohan Matth of Balakati. It is heard from local sources that Sri Chaitanyadev left his wooden pair of shoes (Kathau) & Stick (Jasti) in this Math. Though the pair of shoes have wasted with time the holy stick is still being worshipped in the temple. In glorious memory of holy Lord Chaitanyadev a wooden idol of Sri Gauranga is still worshipped. In addition to this Gajapati Prataprudradev who was amongst the famous disciples of Sri Chaitanyadev made this place foremost amongst those meant for spreading the Bhakti movement. He established here a Brahmin administrative village in his own name. Since that time the revenue village name of this place is “Pratapsasan”.
Along all corners of this holy soil lie many historical attractions. The world-famous 64 Yogini center is situated near Balakati. Each year many domestic & foreign travelers come to visit this place. This place is a true reflection of a glorious past & it is enhancing the importance of the whole region.
There is proof that on 12th July 1934 the father of our nation Mahatma Gandhi made a night halt at Pratap Sasan School. On the bed of Bhargavi river Mahatma Gandhi along with Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das, Pandit Gopinath Nayak & erstwhile speaker of Orissa Assembly Satyapriya Mahanty, addressed a Grand Harijan gathering. More than five thousand people attended the meeting. A Gandhi Memorial along with his bust has been constructed to commemorate the occasion.
The culture of Balakati is based on higher human values & pan-global brotherliness. The place signifies a seamless synthesis of all religions. Throughout the year this place witnesses the organization &
celebration of numerous religious functions & cultural programs.
Among these The Kansa Maruni Jatra is a significant one which was very popular during contemporary period. The Vaisnav saintly poet Dukhisyam Das penned this in an Oriya-Bengali mixed language. The script is a very beautiful depiction of the wonderful lives & acts of Sri Radha & Sri Krishna. However, currently there is no effort whatsoever to continue & propagate this Jatra. Hence the art is now confined to the only surviving Guru Sri Dhobei Sahu.
During spring season the whole area becomes coloured with Abeer. There is scent from the tender mango buds & there is cukoo’s sweet voice everywhere making our hearts beat with joy. In Dola Jatra in the month of Phalgun people get together bringing Abeer of various colors. The Dola Melan Jatra of Balakati is famous throughout Orissa for its Abeer. It is heard from local sources that the protector deity of the place Swapneswar Mahadev invites the Radha-Krishnas of all nearby villages to this gathering. And honoring this invitation Radha-Krishnas of all villages come in their Vimanas in colorful processions. Along with fireworks, the gathering place becomes vibrant with the sound of Conch Shells, Bells & Drums. The whole area becomes colored with Abeer. Everyone irrespective of rich or poor gather here & feel overjoyed & blessed. It won’t be an exaggeration to say that the function is an epitome of brotherliness.
Mother Bhagawati is the chief deity of the whole area. Originally the deity is the ten handed Dasabhuja Durga worshipped by Kshatriyas. However, in later dates the Vaisyas started worshipping her & named her as Bhagawati Durga.
In the month of Chaitra on the day of Pana Sankranti the Jhamu Jatra (Walking on fire) is celebrated here. Devotees gather here & take part in the function to get the blessings of Mother Bhagawati. Not far from Bhagawati temple is present Mother Jhadeswari temple. People call her Kulei Bhogei thakurani (the deity of bamboo baskets). People hang here small bamboo baskets to cure children of various diseases. On the east of Balakati Mother Durlabhadevi temple is present who is considered the protector deity of the place. People fondly call the deity as Mother Duladei.
Since ancient times Balakati has been a center for business. When there were no organized weekly market, daily market or township, at that time Pratapsasan & Rathijema used to function as early civilization townships. Later in 1968 under the influence of Modern civilization, a weekly market started here which is still very popular.
On 19th August 1949 Bhubaneswar became the capital of Orissa. The then speaker of Orissa Assembly & the finance minister Mr Satyapriya Mahanty constructed the Madan Mohan Bridge on the old location of the historical Bali Ghati. This bridge is serving the people of Jayadev constituency & people in general since that time for transit. However, the difference between the historical Balighati & the modern Balakati is glaring.
The organization of modern education happened due to the joint effort of the then education minister Mr Satyapriya Mahanty & Pandit Gopinath Nayak. As a result of education there was much progress in Balakati. Earlier there was prevalence of local art & craft which ran as family traditions & trade. Most of the people in Balakati depended for their livelihood on their cottage industries which technology was transferred from one generation to other. Among these crafts the bell metal craft of Kamsaris, the pottery & terracotta craft of the Kumbharas, the iron smiting craft of the Kamaras, the fishing craft of the Dhibaras and the bamboo craft are noteworthy.
The Kumbharas make earthen utensils & various other artifacts of terracotta. Though in today’s world the use of steel, aluminum & plastic utensils has increased exponentially, even now earthen pots are used on auspicious occasions. Also the Mahaprasad is still prepared in earthen pots called Kodhua. Earthen pots will always be in demand. Man & soil are related since time immemorial & how will man survive without soil? In marriages, thread ceremony, festivals & temples the use of earthen idols made by these idol makers is being followed since olden times.
The Kamaras or iron smiths are equally important in the advancement of civilization. They make various equipments in their forging shops for our daily use.
The artisans making various containers with bamboo strips are becoming very popular now a days. This art of making various things with bamboo strips is a very old & it is providing the respective artisans their livelihood.
Since olden times people belonging to various castes & religions have been living together in Balakati. Various customs can be seen being observed by them depending on their professions & choices. Though the professions vary a great deal, each person is very proud of his traditional profession. They express that their profession is their passion & they can never live without that.
After the rapid spread of modern school & college based education there have been major changes in the lifestyle which can be seen easily. The Pratap Sasan Gram Panchayat was established in 1950 & has been acting since then. It has been instrumental in the development of the whole area.
A number of primary & upper primary schools have sprung up in Pratap Sasan. The Pratap Sasan higher primary school was established in 1958. Students from Balakati & nearby villages come to study in this school. Many students from this school are currently well established in various parts of India & abroad.
Later in 1968 an upper primary school was established for girls. This has been crucial in the spread of education among girls. The contribution of this school towards integration of girls in the main stream has been phenomenal. Of course the girls of Balakati are in no way less than the boys in talent & achievement.
Even later in 1979 the +2 college was established & in 1990 the +3 college was established.
Like most areas earlier the inhabitants of Balakati used to depend on the ancient therapy process (kaviraj) for healthcare. Later when society progressed in 1968 a government community health center was established at Balakati. This is helping greatly the inhabitants of Balakati & nearby areas.
In art & music Sangeet Sudhakar Balakrushna Das gave Balakati a special identity in global map. In the same tradition many gifted persons from Balakati are spreading its fame in India & abroad.
Not far from modern Bhubaneswar stands Balakati as a silent witness to Odisha’s ancient art, culture & tradition. This land is vibrant with the many achievements of sons of its soil. Generation after generation will be reflecting this glorious heritage. Beneath the eternal stream of Bhargavi will ever flow this golden heritage.
Source
English Adaption: Nisith Pattnayak
Research & Written By: Dr. Kalandi Charan Sahoo
Odia Narration: Dr. Gauri Satpathy
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