Chhattisgarh is a nascent state of India, recently carved out of Madhya Pradesh, conjoining 16 districts of the huge state. It was established in the year 2000 and is the 10th largest as well as the sixteen most populated state across the country. The newly formed state covers an area of around 52,200 sq mi & a populace of nearly 25.5 million. It is presently constituted by 27 districts and Raipur is the capital city for the state. Chhattisgarh is credited for around 15 percent of steel produced by India.
Chhattisgarh is renowned for its picturesque ambience marked by an idyllic blend of pastoral & urban scenarios. People here mostly work in factories and mines while an agrarian economy is still predominant here. Famous for a rich history & exuberant culture, the nascent state is dubbed as the hub of cultural extravaganzas of Central India. The state populace comprises of both Hindi speaking people and aboriginal tribal folks of Madhya Pradesh who are regarded highly for their exquisite artistic élan. A culturally rich Chhattisgarh is very enthusiastic about the festivals and the people here love to celebrate all the festivities with great pomp and grandeur.
The newly formed state celebrates a wealth of festivals throughout the year – its little wonder thus that the festivities are almost a regular affair here. The Chhattisgarhi populace is a vibrant bunch who rejoices every moment of the life and believes in relishing the celebrations at their best. As mentioned earlier, pomp & grandeur are an eminent part of the festivals here and Chhattisgarh marks her celebration with great food, music, dance, drink, merriment & mirth.
The Chhattisgarh festivals are many and varied. While some are strictly religious where the indigenous people pay tribute to their native deities, some others are meant to thank Mother Nature for Her bountiful contributions in the livelihood of the Chhattisgarhi populace.
Popular Festivals of Chhattisgarh
Bastar Dussera- It’s one of principal festivals of Chhattisgarh celebrated in the autumn season when the whole country celebrates Dussehra, rejoicing the triumph of Lord Rama over the evil Ravana Rakshas. Albeit Chhattisgarh champions Dussera with great vigor much like the rest of the country yet unlike the other states it doesn’t champion Lord Rama’s victory for the occasion. Rather the Bastar Dussera marks the supremacy of their native deity Danteswari goddess. During the occasion the Bastar folks organize a special worship function at Jagadalpur’s Danteswari temple.
Bastar Lokotsav- It’s another major festival of the newly formed state and serves as the platform for exhibition of the exotic Chhattisgarhi local arts and crafts. This lokotsav takes place post the rainy season every year where you will find the tribal populace from different villages of the state taking part in the festival with an array of the local handicraft exhibition. Apart from the indigenous art and craft display, the Bastar Lokotsav also makes place for a beautiful spectrum of diverse cultural events. Jagadalpur organizes the Bastar Parab which is marked different dance and song performances by the tribal people here commemorating the occasion
Madai Festival- The Madai Festival is a significant celebration for Kanker’s Kurna and Charama communities as well as Bastar, Nrayanpur, Bhanupratappur, Antagarh and Kondagaon tribes. It’s celebrated from December to March with the Madai tours roaming in different parts of Chhattisgarh. It’s a religious festival where the presiding goddess is worshipped and the festivity is commemorated by varied cultural events such as song, dance, drama etc.
Pola- it takes place in the monsoon and is celebrated thanking the bullocks for their immense contribution towards Chhattisgarh livelihood.
First Fruit Festival- It takes place in spring celebrating the arrival of fresh fruits.
Earth Festival- it rejoices nature’s bounty in Chhattisgarh life and is celebrated in March-April every year.