Sarala Das’s Chandi Puran narrates a story of how during the killing of Mahishasura, Durga was blessed with various kinds of weapons and instruments.

Ghumura is such a martial instrument which is believed to be a sacred combination of Shiva’s dambaru and Saraswati’s tumbi. There are other beliefs associated with the ghumura. It is said to be goddess Lankeshwari’s musical instrument and it is also believed that Ravana practiced playing the ghumura.

As an instrument ghumura looks like an earthen pot. The mouth is covered with the skin of iguana. The dance form is named after the instrument.

It is the most famous dance form of Kalahandi and is also performed in Nuapada and other districts. During the performance the players tie the ghumura to their waists. It is also accompanied by other instruments like turi, mardal,jhanj and nisan.

The dance is mostly performed by Bankas and Paikas. It is because earlier in the armies, the chiefs placed these paikas in the front ranks to play the ghumura. It was meant to be the clarion call for war. Later the kings used it during hunting.

Nowadays the dance is performed from Ashtami, the eight day of Dushera. Some performances consist of competition between two groups of ghumura performers and is called Badi Ghumura.

The songs are based on myths and history. They refer to kings and landlords who were the patrons of this dance form in earlier years.