Traditional Practices of Doudini During Kherai Puza of the Bodos: A Study

The Kherai is the greatest religious festival or puza of the traditional Bodo people who worship Bathou through animal sacrifices. The Doudini is the epicenter of Kherai Puza. Any women or girl having knowledge of Bodo Gods and Goddesses and the worshipers of Bathou can become Doudini upto her capacity. She demonstrates various items of dance under the trance of Gods and Goddesses. It is said that she gives the lesson for human being through demonstration of different activities and dances. She tells fortune and misfortune also. The fortune telling of the Doudini is transmitted by the Oza and the Douri to the common people. The traditional Bodo people believe the telling of the Doudini as the Gods telling and means for peace and prosperity of all human being. The study will try to analyst the traditional practices in clear manner and propagate amongst their neighbours and abroad.