Rayagada, Feb 19: The quiet village of Mariguda, located just 2 kilometers from Rayagada town, has been gripped by a wave of fear and anxiety as mysterious events have begun unsettling the residents. Over the past five months, five villagers have passed away under mysterious circumstances, and local beliefs point to their spirits haunting the village, creating widespread panic among the community.

During evening time, eerie sights and sounds emerge smoke rising from the tree tops and strange noises filling the air. Villagers are reportedly losing sleep due to these strange happenings, with many of them keeping their cooking stoves unlit at night in fear of the supernatural forces. The situation has reached a point where some locals are convinced that the spirits of the recently deceased are still present, leading to growing anxiety throughout the village.

In the past five months, five individuals have died in the village under mysterious circumstances. These include Kanti Tadingi, Babu Mandangi, Kambala Kilka, Pulame Mandangi, and Pul Mandangi. The villagers believe that the spirits of these deceased individuals are now roaming the village, and the fear is so intense that it has disrupted their daily routines. Reports suggest that the youths of the village are staying awake at night, preparing to fend off what they believe are supernatural threats.

On the other hand, there is widespread belief that the local river, Nagabali, once a sacred site for ritual worship by the village elders, is causing the conflict. A new embankment is being constructed near the river, and villagers believe that this has disturbed the spiritual balance. They claim that their ancestors used to offer prayers and medicines near the river to protect the village from evil spirits, but the ongoing construction of the embankment is believed to have led to the spirits’ anger.

As per local customs, rituals such as Dushari Puja (a sacred ritual) were performed in the past to ensure the village's protection. However, with the new embankment being built, some villagers fear that the disturbances in the river could have triggered the unrest.

To address these fears, the village has begun collecting funds to perform the Dushari Puja, a traditional ritual thought to help bring peace to the spirits and protect the village from further harm. The villagers have appointed a priest for the ritual, which is expected to cost 2 lakh rupees. The community is actively collecting funds through meetings, though some intellectuals have expressed the need for greater awareness to address the real concerns, emphasizing that it is crucial to educate the tribal community about such superstitions.

While some villagers continue to place faith in these spiritual practices, local experts urge the community also to seek rational and scientific solutions. The fear and tension in the village have created an atmosphere of uncertainty, but efforts to calm the residents and resolve the issue continue.

This growing fear among the villagers has drawn attention to the importance of education and awareness about superstitions, with a focus on improving the well-being of tribal communities. The authorities are also monitoring the situation to ensure public safety while addressing the concerns raised by the locals.