Chhattisgarh’s Bastar District Celebrates Unique Dussehra Festival with 600-Year-Old Ritual

Chhattisgarh's Bastar District Celebrates Unique Dussehra Festival with 600-Year-Old Ritual

VoM News Desk | October 15, 2023 | 08:36 AM IST | Chattisgarh | Follow on Google News

Chhattisgarh’s Bastar District Celebrates Unique Dussehra Festival with 600-Year-Old Ritual

Chhattisgarh’s Bastar District Celebrates Unique Dussehra Festival with 600-Year-Old Ritual

The Dussehra festival in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district, known for its unique traditions, began with a 600-year-old ritual where the goddess ‘Kachhin’ grants permission to the ‘Raj Parivar’ of Bastar to initiate the festivities. A girl, considered to be Goddess ‘Kachhin,’ swung on a thorned swing, granting permission for the Dussehra celebrations. This unique celebration in Bastar spans over 75 days, making it the longest Dussehra festival in the country. Unlike other regions where effigies of ‘Ravan’ are burnt, the festival in Bastar pays tribute to ‘Mahishasur Mardini Adishakti,’ and the tribal community plays a significant role in the celebrations.

Ancient Tradition Preserved

This age-old ritual, spanning over 600 years, continues to be followed by the people of Bastar. After the goddess grants permission, the Dussehra festivities begin, including the rituals of ‘Kalash Sthapna’ and ‘Rath yatra.’

Symbol of Triumph Over Evil

Dussehra, celebrated on the tenth day of the Navratri festival, symbolizes the victory of good over evil. The rituals and celebrations in Bastar preserve the cultural heritage and unique traditions of the region.

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