Dandari-Ghusadi is a living cultural tradition associated particularly with Raj Gond and Kolam communities of northern Telangana. Its distinctive combination of peacock-feather headgear, rhythmic dance, traditional instruments, ritual observances, village-to-village visits and kinship traditions reflects the continuing cultural life of the region’s Adivasi communities. The Yetma marriage narrative and the ritual role of the Ghusarks belong to Ra…

Keslapur village, Indervelly Mandal, Adilabad district, Telangana — the annual Nagoba Jatara is associated primarily with the Mesram clan of Gond communities and their Pardhan bards . It is held during Pushya masam , generally falling in January or February depending on the lunar calendar. Mesram communities from Telangana and neighbouring states including Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh gather at Keslapur to worship Nagoba , t…

Bheemalpen Festival is a traditional Adivasi festival associated particularly with the Gond and Kolam communities of the wider erstwhile Adilabad region of Telangana . The festival is traditionally observed during Margashira , generally corresponding to December–January. It is regarded as an opening event in the seasonal cycle of Adivasi festivals and includes the ritual bathing, or Gangasnan , of traditional wooden deities known as Devul at design…

Narnoor village and mandal, Adilabad district, Telangana — the site of the annual Kamdev (Khamdev) Jatara , an important religious gathering associated with the Thodasam clan of the Gond community . The festival is held around Pushya Purnima and attracts members of the Thodasam community and other Adivasi visitors from Telangana and neighbouring states. Annual – Pushya Purnima Thodasam clan Khamdev – clan deity Sesame-oil ritual Three-year ritual cycl…

Warrior Bull of the Gonds | Annual Raj Gond Festival | Martial Traditions of Mesram Clan Shyampur village (also known as Shampur), Utnoor mandal, Adilabad district, Telangana — celebrated annually by the Raj Gonds of the Mesram clan in the Hindu lunar month of Magha (January–February) . This jatara honours Budumdev , the divine bull deity believed to be the guardian of the clan's warriors. Devotees from Telangana, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and…