GRAMSIRI - THE PRESIDING VILLAGE DEITY OF ODISHA

There is no religion in India which does not have folk gods and goddesses with vital influences on regulating the socio- cultural life of the people. All kinds of fame and achievements gained by men go to the credit of God. He is considered the creator and destroyer of the universe. In Hindu mythology people worship thirty three crores gods and goddesses to get their blessings. Besides that many gods and goddesses are of local origins. Ancestors and nature are worshipped especially by the people inhabiting rural and hilly areas. These gods and goddesses are everything to them. They evoke them to steer clear of evil days which they feel befall due to foul play by evil spirits or provocation of their presiding deities. They promise to offer birds, animals or men as sacrifice if they are made to get rid of these occult influences. Among them the most important village deities are Gramsiri, Sthambeswari, Tara Tarini, Mauli, Goddess Laxmi, Pitabali etc. People perform many rites and rituals and celebrate many festivals like Nuakhai, Rakhi puni, Chait puja, Bihida puja etc to propitiate their deities at different times and on different occasions all the year.