Dhenkanal: The 42nd edition of Dhenkanal Heritage Walks (DHW) was held in Kandabindha village under Odapada block of Dhenkanal showcasing the martial traditions by the members of the local ‘Malluha Kabata Paika Yuvaka Sangha’ armed with their traditional weapons.
A discussion session was also held on the Paika culture and traditions of Dhenkanal, the arrival of the Paikas, renowned for their martial skills, and their glorious heritage. According to historical accounts, these Paikas arrived alongside Raja Harisingh Vidyadhar, the founder of the present-day Dhenkanal Garh.
Ashish Kumar Sahu stated that the Raja had settled a formidable warrior named Mallaluha Kabata—who had accompanied him—in this locality (situated on the border of the Dhenkanal and Hindol kingdoms) by granting him 16 acres of land as a “jagir” (land endowment). The settlement that began at ‘Mallaluha Kabata’ has expanded over time, evolving into a large village today.
During the 18-day-long, intense conflict between Dhenkanal and the Marathas, the brave “Paikas” of Kandabindha demonstrated exceptional combat tactics and extraordinary valor—an observation shared by Rabi Narayan Sahu and Sanjay Sahu, who were present during the discussion.
Kandabindha village is renowned within the Dhenkanal district for its tradition of martial arts. Even today, the Paikas of this village perform a collective ‘Khandapuja ‘ (ritual placement of swords) and worship during the Sharadiya Dashahara festival. On the day of Dashahara, they also demonstrate their martial skills at the Devi temple located within the Dhenkanal royal palace complex.
Participants in this discussion shared their perspectives on the heritage and current state of Kandabindha village. Following the discussion, the visiting group explored several historical sites in the ‘Paika Sahi’ , including the 400-year-old shrine of Goddess Mangala—the presiding deity of the community—the Raghunatha temple, the ‘Chaupadhi’ (traditional meeting/learning space), and a 200-year-old Sri Chaitanya temple, gathering information about them.
Senior members of DHW Ramesh Chandra Pati and Biswaranjan Dehury felicitated Ashok Kumar Sahu, the president of the association. Under the coordination of Suresh Prasad Mishra, convenor of DHW, over a hundred participants took part in the event.