Chhattisgarh temple festivals are known for its cultural integrity and variety. The religious festivals include all kinds of merrymaking like dance and songs, along with majestic feasting. Chhattisgarh is believed to be one of the most fascinating and colorful states of India. Known for its outstanding scenic beauty and the unique tribal populations, Chhattisgarh boasts a number of temple festivals.
Significant temple festivals of Chhattisgarh
The vivid and colorful Chhattisgarh temple festivals are held all round the year. The famous and widely celebrated festivals of Chhattisgarh include the Dusshera, Deepavali, Holi, Pola, Govardhan Pooja, Nawakhai and many others are celebrated with great intensity and festivity.
Dusshera
Dusshera is the most famous festivals amongst the Chhattisgarh temple festivals and is celebrated with great fanfare in Bastar region. During this occasion, all the deities from all the tribal villages are assembled at the Temple of goddess Danteshwari in Jagdalpur, the district headquarter of Bastar. Dusshera in Bastar is fairly different from the Dusshera of North India and has relates to the myth of the triumphant return of lord Rama in Ayodhya. Bastar Dusshera is however devoted to goddess Danteshwari and celebrated with great gaiety by all major tribes of Bastar.
Madai Festival
Madai Festival, another Chhattisgarh temple festival, is celebrated in the Bastar region and observed in the different villages extending from Mandla to Bastar. This festival of Chhatisgarh is quite popular among Gond tribes of Bastar. Thousands of devotees gather under the shade of a sacred tree to sacrifice a goat to the mother goddess and the whole night is spent in merrymaking, dancing, and eating.
Bhagoriya Festival
Bhagoriya Festival is a popular Chhattisgarh temple festival, seen among Bhil tribes of the region and Bhagoradev or the god of dance is worshipped on this occasion. During this festival young girls and boys dance with their partners and express their love to their beloveds.
Kajari Festival
Kajari Festival is another important Chhattisgarh temple festival, which is celebrated on the same day as Raksha Bandhan, which is on the Shravan Purnima.
Bastar Lokutsab
Bastar Lokutsab is a temple festival celebrated with much vibrancy and represents the folk culture of the state. It is a popular festival among local tribal groups. Songs and dance are important part of this festival. Bastar Lokutsab is also known as Jagdalpur Dussehra.
Champaran Mela
Champaran Mela is a religious fair that is gradually shaping into a festival. Champaran is one of the important pilgrims in India and said to be the birthplace of Saint Vallabhacharya, the founder and reformer of Vallabha community. Champaran mela is organized during the month of Magh that is between January to February and participated by a large number of pushtimargiya Vaishnavas from various corners of India.
Besides, there are many festivals celebrated in Chhattisgarh and are related to agriculture. Hariyali, Kora, Navakhani and Cherta Festivals are the most important agricultural festivals of Chhattisgarh, however offerings are done to the respective deities.
