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Gond performer wearing a turban topped with feathers and garlands of flower pom poms around his neck
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Gond dancer adorned with silver earrings and Nagmuri armlets. Silver necklace with old coins
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The Madai is a post-harvest spiritual event where villagers worship their local gods and goddesses
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Stimulated by the beating of drums and cheered by a euphoric crowd, the Gaita (head priest) falls into trance before collapsing near the altar
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Now feeling the power of the deity flowing through him, the Gaita needs helpers to get dressed
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Pen Madai (Pen means deity and Madai, social gathering) is a festival celebrating the Gond allegiance to their ancestral gods and goddesses
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As a mark of respect, the female dancers form a line and join hands tightly to welcome the Gaita (head priest) in the guard of honour
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The Gaita is driven inside the line and is passed from hand to hand, moving back and forth
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The local deities embodied in the two Dang poles are blessed by the shaman and his helpers with Mahuli alcohol
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Gaita and Sevak (priest) sitting next to the two local goddesses Sheetla Mata and Mahawli
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Invited gods from neighbouring villages are embodied in a Dang, a long bamboo stick with flags at the upper end
