Festivals OF cHHATTISGARH
India is a land of myriad colorful festivals. The fairs and festivals in India reflect the deep-rooted traditions and customs in the country. These celebrations are therefore the spirit of Indian culture and society. The fairs and festivals of India are the best way to understand the multihued culture of India.Chhattisgarh, situated in central India, is endowed with a rich cultural heritage and attractive natural diversity. Fairs and festivals in Chhattisgarh offers a rare opportunity to experience a unique tribal culture. Plan out your holiday tour to this state as per the schedule
of the popular fairs and festivals in Chhattisgarh and enjoy the never dying spirit.
1. Bastar Dassera
Bastar Dassera is the region's most important festival, and all the tribes participate in the 10-day event. The tribals celebrate Dassera as a congregation of Devi Maoli, and all her sisters. Hundreds of priests bring flower-bedecked local deities to the Danteshwari temple in Jagdalpur, arriving with all pomp and show. Bastar Dassera is believed to have been started, in the 15th century, by Maharaj Purushottam Deo, the fourth Kakatiya ruler.
2. Bastar Lokotsav
This fortnight-long tourism event, organized to coincide with Bastar Dassera , showcases the best of Bastar. It takes place every year after the monsoons, when the forests and waterfalls are at their best. Tribal handicrafts can be bought directly from artisans. A folk arts festival of tribal dances and music, Bastar Parab, is organized in Jagdalpur.
3. Madai Festival
This tribal festival is celebrated by the tribes of Kanker and Bastar regions, to worship the local Goddess. The Goddess is taken all through the Kanker, Bastar and Dantewada regions from December to March each year. In December, celebrations start in Bastar to honour the Goddess Kesharpal Kesharpalin Devi. In January, the people of Kanker, Charama and Kurna celebrate the festival. In February the festival goes back to Bastar and Cheri-Chher-Kin is honoured this time.
Towards the end of February, the festival goes to Antagarh, Narayanpur and Bhanupratappur. In March it goes to Kondagaon, Keshkal and Bhopalpattanam. It is held in a big ground, so that thousands of people can attend the ceremony, which starts with a procession of the local Goddess, followed by worship of the same, culminating in cultural programs, dancing an
d lots of good food.
4. Hareli
Celebrated in the month of 'Shravan', Hareli is a symbol of agricultural prosperity. Farmers worship farm tools and cows on this occasion. They place branches and leaves of 'Bhelwa' (a tree resembling cashew tree) in the fields and pray for good harvest. People also hang small Neem branches at the main entrance of houses on this occasion to prevent occurrence of seasonal diseases.
5. Pola
Pola follows Hareli. It is celebrated by worshipping bullocks. Children play with idols of Nandi bull (the vehicle of Lord Shiva) made of clay and fitted with clay wheels. A bull race is a major event of the festival.Bhagoriya Festival is a popular festival among Bhil tribes of the region and Bhagoradev or the God of dance is worshipped on this occasion.Kajari Festival is another important festival of Chhattisgarh region, which falls on the same day as Raksha Bandhan that is on the Shravan Purnima.Hariyali, Kora, Navakhani and Cherta Festivals are also important agricultural festivals of Chhattisgarh.
Chhattisgarh also organizes many colorful fairs in different towns and cities of the state, all round the year. Rajim Lochan Mahotsav held every year from 16th February till 1st March is celebrated with great fanfare. Bhoramdeo Mahotsav (last week of March), Chakradhar Festival (September or October), Goncha Festival (July), Narayanpur Mela (last week of February) and Sheorinarayan Fair (February) are other widely celebrated and most enjoyed fairs and festivals of Chhattisgarh.
6. Mati Puja
Mati puja or the worship of the earth is a festival of crucial importance in the state of Chhatisgarh where the main occupation of the people is agriculture. During this festival the tribal people of the district of Bastar worship the earth for the bounteous yield of crops for the next season. The religious rites and traditions are also observed by them with utmost devotion and dedication.
7. Chaitrai
This is an important festival of the Gonds in the state of Chhattisgarh. On the very day of this festival a pig or a fowl is offered to the village God along with some liquor. After this the tribal group indulges themselves in complete amusement in the form of dance, folklores and other types of cultural performances.
8. Nawakhana
This festival is observed in Chhattisgarh in the bright fortnight of the month of Bhadon or the month of September according to the English calendar. The Gonds on this day offer new grain and liquor to their ancestors. The festive celebrations take different forms in different districts. In the Kondagaon tehsil of the district, Buddha Deo is worshipped on this particular day whereas in the Jagdalpur tehsil the festivities are observed by taking sweets and giving new clothes to the members of the family.
9. Govardhan Puja
The Govardhan puja is performed in the state of Chhattisgarh with lots of gaiety and festivity and has its origins in the legends of Hindu mythology. On the day of this festival the people of Chhattisgarh build cow dung hillocks and then decorate them with flowers after which they worship them. In some regions this day is also observed as `Annakoot` meaning `mountain of food`. After the traditional worship comes to an end, an assortment of sweets is offered to the deities also known as `bhog`, fo
llowing which the people consumes the prasad themselves.
10. Korba Mahotsav
This festival is organized in the Korba district of Chhattisgarh in the month of May jointly by the Korba district administration and other public sector undertakings. The hilly tribe Korwa celebrates this festival with much vigor and enthusiasm following all the religious rites and rituals with extreme feelings of ardent religious zeal.
11. Kajari
This is another important festival of the region of Chhattisgarh and falls on the same day as that of the Raksha Bandhan or on the Shravan Purnima. This festival holds special significance in the life of the peasants and it is they who celebrate this festival with great fanfare.
