Fairs and festivals of Chhattisgarh - 2 | Chhattisgarh State PSC (CGPSC) Preparation: All subjects - CGPSC (Chhattisgarh) PDF Download

Pola Festival

• Pola is a bull-worshipping festival primarily celebrated by farmers in the Indian states of Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. On Pola, which falls on Pithori Amavasya (the new moon day) in the month of Shravana (typically in August), farmers decorate and worship their bulls.
• On the day of Pola, bulls are bathed and adorned with ornaments and shawls. Their horns are painted, and garlands of flowers are placed around their necks. The owners then worship their decorated bulls.
• In the evening, decorated bulls are paraded through the village, accompanied by music and dancing. The procession begins with an old bullock, adorned with a wooden frame (called makhar) tied to its horns, which is made to break a rope of mango leaves stretched between two posts. This act is followed by all the other cattle in the village, with the order of the cattle often reflecting the social status of their owners. In some villages, fairs are organized, featuring various competitions.
• Pola is particularly important to the farmers of Maharashtra, especially the Kunbis community. Traditional dishes such as Puran Poli, karanji, and curry made with five vegetables are commonly associated with the festival.

Narayanpur Mela

• Festivals like the Narayanpur Mela in Chhattisgarh offer valuable insights into the lifestyle of the tribal communities in the region. In Chhattisgarh, religious festivals celebrated by Hindus, Muslims, and Christians are marked by joyous enthusiasm and serve as a gathering point for many people.
• However, the most captivating aspect of Chhattisgarh's cultural life is the fairs and festivals of the tribal communities. The tribes of Chhattisgarh have a distinctive way of life that sparks curiosity, and attending these fairs and festivals provides a glimpse into their unique culture. These events are perhaps the most authentic expressions of their inimitable cultural traditions.
• The Narayanpur Festival, celebrated in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, is one such event. The Bastar district, home to a large tribal population, witnesses a celebration of this festival with immense happiness and exuberance. Although the term "Mela" typically means fair, the Narayanpur Mela is actually a festival rather than a fair.
• During this festival, the tribal people observe various traditions and customs, including the worship of their deities with deep devotion. Following the religious rituals, they indulge in unrestrained merrymaking, where their joy knows no bounds. The festivities include several sessions of drinking, which are an integral part of the celebration.
• Collective dancing, a core element of tribal culture, is prominently featured during the Narayanpur Mela. The rhythmic dancing to the beats of drums is a sight to behold, as it embodies the tribes' joy and elation. The uninhibited and cheerful dancing reflects the vibrant spirit of the people and offers a valuable understanding of their ethnic way of life.
• Celebration Time: The Narayanpur Mela is celebrated with great merriment in the last week of February each year.

Fagun Madai

• The Fagun Madai festival begins 7-8 days before Holi and continues for a couple of days after Holi, lasting a total of 10 days. Tribes from across the Bastar region gather to celebrate this vibrant and colorful festival. 
• These tribal groups bring their local deities and place them at the Dantewada Temple, followed by various religious activities. Special dances, such as the mask dance and relo dance, are performed specifically for this occasion. The festival culminates in a grand celebration, marking the end of the Fagun Madai fair.

Koriya Mela

• The Koriya Mela is a traditional fair that continues to be observed today, having been initiated by Ramanuj Pratap Singh Judeo, the monarch of the former Koriya State.
• In addition to Koriya Mela, the Koriya district celebrates major festivals such as Bastar Dussehra, Durga Pooja, Bastar Lokotsav, Madai Festival, Rajim Kumbh Mela, and Pakhanjore Mela (Nara Narayan Mela).
• Koriya district is located in the state of Chhattisgarh, India, covering an area of 5,978 square kilometers. According to the most recent census, the district has a population of 659,039, with 334,336 males and 324,703 females, resulting in a sex ratio of 968 females per 1,000 males. The district's literacy rate stands at 70.64%.
• The vehicle registration code for Koriya district is CG 16, with the Regional Transport Office (RTO) located in Koriya.

Bhagoria Festival

• The Bhagoria Festival, celebrated a week before Holi, is a unique and culturally rich event originating in the Bhil-dominated Jhabua district. The festival is particularly notable for allowing lovers to officially elope, with the god of dance, Bhagoradev, being worshipped during the occasion.
• Chhattisgarh is home to various festivals celebrated by its village communities, including Bastar Dussehra, Goncha Festival, Sheorinarayan Fair, Kajari Festival, and Rajim Lochan Mahotsav. These annual festivals are marked by enthusiasm and joy, uniting the people in celebration. Among these, the Bhagoria Festival stands out as one of the most significant and unique festivals, particularly within the Bhil tribes in the Jhabua region of Chhattisgarh. This festival not only reflects the diverse culture and traditions of India and Chhattisgarh but also embodies the spirit of the tribal and village communities who celebrate it with great enthusiasm.
• The name "Bhagoria" is derived from the concept of elopers, as this festival provides a sanctioned period for lovers to run away together. A key feature of the festival is the use of gulal (colored powder, typically associated with Holi) and betel leaves. According to tradition, if a man applies gulal to a woman’s forehead, and she reciprocates, the couple is considered free to elope. Betel leaves play a significant role as well, serving as a symbol of proposal. If the leaf is accepted, it signifies the couple’s mutual love and commitment to spend their lives together. The act of running away together during the festival effectively formalizes the couple’s union, making marriage between them obligatory.
• The Bhagoria Festival is deeply rooted in tradition, with many customs observed by the tribes of Jhabua. The deity Bhagoradev, known as the god of dancing, is worshipped during the festival. The Bhil community, particularly engaged in the festival, views this event as a prime opportunity for young lovers to express their affections and seek marriage. The festival is celebrated with respect and purity, devoid of any inappropriate behavior. The entire process, including the elopement and expressions of love, is carefully supervised by elders and respected members of the community, who serve as witnesses.
• During the festival, sweets and prayers are offered to Bhagoradev. The Bhil community exchanges greetings and well-wishes, and once the main prayer (maha puja) is conducted, sweets are distributed as Prasad. Traditional music, played on instruments such as the thali (a type of drum), flutes, and shahnai, fills the air, creating an atmosphere of purity and joy. These musical traditions have been passed down through generations, adding to the festive ambiance.
• The Bhagoria Festival attracts tourists from all over the world, including both local and international visitors, who come to witness and participate in this extraordinary event. For those interested in exploring Indian traditions and rituals, visiting Jhabua village in Chhattisgarh during this time offers a unique and enriching experience. The festival is celebrated in March, just a week before Holi, making it a perfect time for tourists to immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of the region.

Ganga Dusshera

• The Ganga is revered as a divine river not only in India but also as one of the most sacred rivers globally. This belief is universal among Indians and acknowledged by scholars worldwide. The river is worshipped as a Goddess, and it is believed that on the tenth day of the bright half of Jyeshtha, she descended to earth from heaven. This day is celebrated as Ganga Dussehra. According to tradition, after much effort and penance by Bhagirath, a Suryavanshi king, the river was successfully brought down to earth. Since then, Ganga Dussehra is commemorated every year with various rites and rituals of Ganga pooja.
• The event of Ganga's descent was marked by ten rare Vedic astrological configurations: Jyeshtha month, Shukla Paksha (bright half), Tenth date, Wednesday, Hasta Nakshatra, Vyatipata yoga, Gar Anand Yog, Moon in Virgo, and Sun in Taurus. These ten Yogas are believed to cleanse all ten types of sins by simply taking a dip in the Ganga on Ganga Dussehra.
• The ten sins include three physical, four verbal, and three mental. Physical sins involve actions like forcibly taking something from others, violence, and inappropriate relations with someone else's spouse. The verbal sins include speaking harshly, lying, complaining about others, and irrelevant chatter. Mental sins consist of coveting others' possessions, desiring to harm others, and engaging in irrelevant discussions. According to mythology, one should avoid these activities as they are considered major sins, but if committed accidentally, they can be absolved by taking a holy dip and performing pooja in the Ganga on Ganga Dussehra.
• If bathing in the Ganga is not possible on Ganga Dussehra, one can pray at another river, reservoir, or even with pure water at home. After this, a pooja should be performed in front of an idol of Ganga, who is depicted as Trinetr (three-eyed), quadrilateral, adorned in white clothes, and holding a white lotus. It is also recommended to worship King Bhagirath and the Himalayas during Ganga pooja. Lord Shiva, being the deity who released Ganga to earth for the benefit of mankind, is the principal god to be worshipped during this pooja. Donating ten edible items, particularly fruits and black sesame seeds, is considered especially auspicious.