Bastar Dussehra Festival: Honoring the Divine Danteshwari Goddess
Bastar Dussehra Festival: Honoring the Divine Danteshwari Goddess
Bastar Dussehra Festival: Festivals of Chhattisgarh
India is a country with diverse cultures, and each state is rich with its own distinctive customs and festivals. Located in the centre, Chhattisgarh state is no exception. The state of Chhattisgarh is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and diverse traditions. It is also a land of colourful festivals that showcase the deeply held beliefs and values of its citizens.
These celebrations not only honour special religious occasions but also highlight the state's unity and its people's profound relationship to the surrounding environment and spirituality. The festivals of Chhattisgarh offer a charming window into its past, tying the younger generation to their ancestry and fostering a sense of community among its citizens.
Table of Content
- Bastar Dussehra Festival: Honoring the Divine Danteshwari Goddess
- When is the Bastar Dussehra Festival Chhattisgarh in 2023 ?
- Where is Bastar Dussehra Festival Celebrated?
- Why is Bastar Dussehra Festival Celebrated in Chhattisgarh?
- Majestic 2-Storey Wooden Chariot of Maa Danteshwari
- Rituals of Bastar Dussehra Festival and How Bastar Dussehra Festival Chhattisgarh is Celebrated?
- Things to Do During Bastar Dussehra Festival Chhattisgarh
- Nearby Visiting Places at Bastar Dussehra Festival Chhattisgarh
- How to Reach Bastar Dussehra Festival Chhattisgarh ?
Bastar Dussehra Festival: Honoring the Divine Danteshwari Goddess
In the heart of Chhattisgarh, India, people celebrate Bastar Dussehra, a festival of unparalleled lavishness and significance. The largest and one of India’s oldest festivals is Bastar Dussehra. This extraordinary cultural extravaganza is rooted in traditional values and deeply held religious beliefs, attracting both devotees and tourists to experience its splendour.
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Bastar Dussehra Festival: Honoring the Divine Danteshwari Goddess
When is the Bastar Dussehra Festival Chhattisgarh in 2023 ?
Bastar Dussehra Festival Chhattisgarh is a unique festival which lasts for roughly 75 days—that is a very long time! That is why Bastar Dussehra is considered the world's longest festival. It begins at the beginning of Sharad Navaratri, which is typically in September or October. And it ends on Vijayadashami. The most significant festivals are celebrated during the last ten days, which coincide with Navratri/Durga Puja and Dussehra/Vijayadashami. The Bastar Dussehra festival will take place on October 24 in 2023.
Where is Bastar Dussehra Festival Celebrated?
The picturesque town of Jagdalpur ( Chhattisgarh ), located in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, is the venue for the Bastar Dussehra Festival Chhattisgarh celebrations. The celebrations centre around this area, which is well-known for its tribal heritage and natural beauty.
Why is Bastar Dussehra Festival Celebrated in Chhattisgarh?
Dussehra is commonly celebrated in India as a celebration of Lord Rama’s conquest of Ravana and Durga Puja celebrates Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura. However, the Bastar Dussehra Festival Chhattisgarh has a very different significance.
The Dussehra festival in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, is linked with the goddess Danteshwari, the primary deity of the region’s indigenous peoples. Bastar Dussehra is celebrated to commemorate the victory of righteousness and the power of good to vanquish evil forces. Additionally, the festival showcases the unity of various tribal communities residing in the region, fostering a sense of shared culture and heritage. Bastar Dussehra is additionally known as Jagdalpur ( Chhattisgarh ) Dussehra.
According to mythology, Maharaja Purushottam Deo, a Kakatiya ruler, established the Dasara celebration in Bastar in the thirteenth century. He did penance and travelled to the Puri Jagannath Temple on foot. He appeased the god with pujas and pleas. He donated a significant amount of gold coins.
Later one night, Lord Jagannath appears in the chief priest’s dream and asked him to gift the king a 12-wheeled chariot. The chariot bears the symbol of the goddess Danteshwari. After that every year Bastar Dussehra Festival Chhattisgarh is began to celebrate.
The Majestic 2-Storey Wooden Chariot for Goddess Danteshwari in Bastar Dussehra Festival:
Dussehra festival in Bastar is celebrated for 75 days during which a huge two-storey wooden chariot is built, which is the centre of attraction during Bastar Dussehra festival. The tradition of making the giant eight-wheeled chariot during the Bastar Dussehra festival goes back 600 years. Traditionally, this chariot is made in a special way. It has been tradition in this district for hundreds of years to divide the whole making process among the local villages.
Wood Used for Making Wooden Chariot in Bastar Dussehra Festival Chhattisgarh – Sarai Wood. Sarai wood used to build chariots is brought by particular tribal classes. After that this wood is first worshipped with rituals.
Villages that built Wooden Chariot in Bastar Dussehra Festival Chhattisgarh: The tribal residents of Bastar district's Bade Umar and Jhad Umar villages built this chariot in 25 days. More than 200 villagers and chariot artisans work on this chariot for 25 days while staying in the city's Sirhasar Bhawan.
Trees that are 150 to 200 years old are pruned by the locals in the area. To ensure that the Bastar Dussehra festival continues and that there is always enough wood available to build chariots, many people choose to plant trees in the village rather than harvesting crops.
The Magnificent Eight Wheels Chariot of Maa Danteshwari: The locals have a strong devotion to Mother Danteshwari Devi. For this reason, they work day and night to build this chariot. This enormous eight-wheeled chariot, known locally as Dev Vahan, is always constructed by the locals and which is also the main attraction of Bastar Dussehra Festival Chhattisgarh .
Rituals of Bastar Dussehra Festival and How Bastar Dussehra Festival Chhattisgarh is Celebrated?
1. Pata Jatra: Celebrating the Sacred Wood Worship:
Pata Jatra is a special ceremony where the tribal people worship wood because they consider it as something very holy. They do this before they cut the wood to make the chariot. On a day called Shravan Amawasya, which is also known as Hareli Amawasya, they put a piece of wood near the entrance of the Palace temple in Jagdalpur ( Chhattisgarh ). They make it special by putting sacrificial blood on it. This is how the festival begins.
2. Deri Gadhai: Majestic Pillar Raising:
Deri Gadhai is like putting up big pillars. It happens on the twelfth day when the moon is shining bright in the month of Bhadon. During this time, two strong pillars are set up in a special place called Sirasar. Sirasar is like a traditional town hall just outside the palace, and it's where a lot of important things happen during the Bastar Dussehra festival Chhattisgarh .
3. Kachan Gaadi: Revering the Divine Kanchan Devi:
Kachan Gaadi is a special festival where Kachan Devi, the special goddess, is celebrated. It happens on a day called Ashwin Amavasya. On this day, a young girl from the Mirgin-Mahara caste, which is a special group of people, becomes a link for the special goddess named Kachan Devi. The girl, who is believed to be connected to the goddess, sits on a bed of thorns and holds a sword while she swings.
During the festival, the king comes with a big group of people to meet the girl. They all walk together in a special way called a procession. The king asks for the girl's blessings, and she gives him a flower. This flower means that she agrees and gives permission for the Bastar Dussehra Festival Chhattisgarh to continue.
4. Kalash Sthapana: Initiating Sacred Pot Placement:
Kalash Sthapana is like placing special pots. This happens on the first day when the moon is shining brightly in the month of Ashwin. It marks the start of the Navaratri festival in Bastar Dussehra. During this time, they put these special pots in the temples of Maoli, Kankalin Devi, and Danteshwari in Jagdalpur ( Chhattisgarh ). Brahmins start reading sacred texts, and they do this for nine days.
5. Jogi Bithai: Embracing Sacred Depths:
Jogi Bithai is a special practice performed by a Jogi, who belongs to the Halba tribe. It happens on the first day when the moon is shining brightly in the month of Ashwin. During this time, the Jogi sits in a hole in the ground, with only their shoulders above the surface. They do this as a way of praying to make the Bastar Dussehra Festival Chhattisgarh successful. Before this event, a goat and seven mangur fishes are offered as a sacrifice.
6. Rath Parikrama: The Chariot's Enchanting Circumambulation:
Rath Parikrama, also known as the chariot circuit, is observed on the day after the Jogi's start of penance. Every evening during this ceremony, a four-wheeled flower chariot known as phool-rath begins to circumambulate the Maoli temple.
This practice is repeated till the seventh day. Previously, a single chariot with 12 wheels was used to circumambulate the city, but because of its weight, it was eventually replaced by two smaller chariots.
One has four wheels and does a daily circumambulation, while the other has eight wheels and is used for a lengthy voyage on the tenth and eleventh days. On the eighth and ninth days, the tiny chariot is resting.
7. Nisha Jatra: Night's Luminous Parade:
Nisha Jatra is a special festival that happens at night. People celebrate it on the eighth day when the moon is shining brightly in the month of Ashwin. It's also called Durgashtami. During Nisha Jatra, there's a parade of lights that goes to a place where people do prayers. This place is in Sunday Square or Itwari.
8. Jogi Uthai: Elevating the Enlightened Jogi:
Jogi Uthai is a special ceremony where a Jogi, who is like a holy person, is lifted up from a pit. This happens on the ninth day when the moon is very bright in a month called Ashwin. This is when the Jogi finishes his time of being alone in meditation. During this event, the Jogi is lifted up with respect and is given special and sacred presents.
9. Maoli Parghav: Celebrating Devi Maoli's Arrival:
Maoli Parghav is like a special welcome for Devi Maoli, who is an important goddess in Bastar even before the time of Kakatiya rulers. She's like an elder sister to Danteshwari, another important goddess here. During a big gathering of gods and goddesses, Devi Maoli is like the main guest.
She comes from Dantewada in a special seat called 'doli' or 'palanquin.' Four people carry this seat with her in it, and it's like they are enchanted by her magic. People celebrate her arrival with lots of excitement. Then, they take her to the special palace-temple of Danteshwari.
10. Bheetar Raini: Inner Circle Revelry:
Bheetar Raini, also known as the inner circle, happens on the tenth day when the moon is shining brightly in the month of Ashwin. During this special time, a big chariot with 8 wheels goes around the Maoli temple. At the top of the chariot, there's a swing where the king used to sit, but nowadays, the Raj-Guru and the holy umbrella of Devi Danteshwari sit there.
After going around the temple, around 400 people called marias and murias take the chariot to a place called Kumdakot. Kumdakot is like a forest of Sal trees and it's about 2 kilometres away from the southern side of the Indravati River.
11. Baahar Raini: Outer Circle Spectacle:
Baahar Raini, also known as the outer circle, happens on the eleventh day of the bright moon in the month of Ashwin. During this time, the king goes to Kumdakot to give the goddess special rice from the new harvest. After that, the chariot is carefully pulled back along the main road to the Lion Gate of the palace in a special ceremony.
11. Kachan Jatra: Festive Gratitude Gala:
Kachan Jatra is like a big thank-you party during Bastar Dussehra Festival Chhattisgarh . It happens on the twelfth day when the moon is shining really bright in the month of Ashwin. This party is all about celebrating that the festival has ended successfully.
12. Muria Durbar: Tribal Leadership Confluence:
The Muria Durbar is like a big meeting of tribal leaders. They come together on a special day when they're also saying 'thank you' for good things. During this meeting, the tribal leaders talk with people who are in charge of making important decisions and the people they chose to speak for them. They talk about things that can help everyone in their community. A long time ago, the king used to lead this meeting.
13. Ohadi: Farewell to Divine Presence:
Ohadi is like a goodbye party for the deities. It happens on the thirteenth day when the moon is bright in the month of Ashwin. This is the day when the deities, who come from different places in Bastar, are given a special farewell. Even Maoli Devi, who comes from Dantewada, gets a goodbye with new clothes and pretty jewellery that make the deity's statue look even more beautiful.
Things to Do During Bastar Dussehra Festival Chhattisgarh
Cultural programmes, traditional dances, and elaborate customs allow visitors to immerse themselves in the celebratory mood. Interacting with local artisans and craftspeople provides insight into the region's indigenous creative styles.
Nearby Visiting Places at Bastar Dussehra Festival Chhattisgarh
Apart from the festival grounds, tourists may enjoy the picturesque splendour of Jagdalpur ( Chhattisgarh ) and neighbouring attractions like Kachan Devi Temple, Devi Maoli Temple, Goddess Danteshwari Temple, Chitrakote Waterfall, Kanger Valley National Park, and Anthropological Museums that provide insights into tribal life.
How to Reach Bastar Dussehra Festival Chhattisgarh ?
Reaching Bastar Dussehra Festival Chhattisgarh is an amazing journey that allows you to witness Chhattisgarh's cultural vitality. Here are several options for getting to this amazing festival:
By Air: The nearest major airport is the Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh. From there, you can take a flight to the Jagdalpur ( Chhattisgarh ) Airport, which is the closest airport to the festival venue.
By Train:Jagdalpur ( Chhattisgarh ) is linked to the Indian Railways network, making it accessible. Trains to Jagdalpur ( Chhattisgarh ) Railway Station run from numerous cities and towns in Chhattisgarh and neighbouring states.
By Road:Travelling by car is a popular choice, particularly for those who want a beautiful journey. To get to Jagdalpur ( Chhattisgarh ), you may drive, take a bus, or rent a cab. Road travel is convenient since the road network connects important cities like Raipur, Bilaspur, and Durg.
When you arrive in Jagdalpur ( Chhattisgarh ), local transportation choices like auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws and taxis are easily accessible to take you to festival sites and other attractions.
Bastar Dussehra Festival Chhattisgarh is a tribute to Chhattisgarh's rich past and deep-rooted beliefs. This event, with its own combination of history, spirituality, and cultural fervour, provides an enthralling experience that highlights the region's togetherness and variety.
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Bastar Dussehra Festival: Honoring the Divine Danteshwari Goddess
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