Bastar Dussehra: Ritualistic stealing of chariot begins last leg of 75-day-long tribal festivities

Raipur: The "Raini Rath Churai" ritual (stealing of chariot) was performed on Sunday during the 75-day-long Bastar Dussehra, when people from tribes unite to pull a massive wooden chariot, symbolising social unity and collective effort.
The stolen chariot is brought to Kumuravand, and on the second day, the Nava Khai ritual is performed outside Raini with the king and tribal people. Efforts are made to retrieve the chariot, followed by the Muria Darbar, where the demands and problems of the public are heard. The final event is the Kutum Jatra Vidhan, in which Goddess Mai Danteshwari's umbrella is sent to Dantewada from Jagdalpur.
Among a slew of rituals performed during the 75-day celebration, the Kachhangadi ritual is considered one of the most significant ceremonies when the Goddess grants permission to celebrate the festival. This was done on Oct 2, assuming an unmarried girl as the Goddess.
The ritual took place at Kachhangudi in Bhangaram Chowk, Jagdalpur town in Bastar district. As per traditions and beliefs, on Ashwin Amavasya, Kachhan Devi, the goddess of the battlefield, possesses an unmarried girl from the Panka caste, and the goddess (girl) is then laid on a thorn swing.
Thereon, permission is sought from the Goddess to celebrate Dussehra, and the Goddess grants permission through a gesture. This year, an eight-year-old girl performed the ritual by lying on a thorn swing. The ritual was attended by Kamal Chand Bhanjdev, heir of the erstwhile Bastar royal family, the priest of Danteshwari Temple, Manjhi Chalki, and members of the Dussehra committee.
Unlike other parts of India where Dussehra commemorates Lord Ram's victory over Ravana, Bastar Dussehra celebrates the worship of Shakti (Power), gratitude towards nature, and the preservation of tribal culture. Bastar Dussehra was initiated by Bastar King Purushottam Dev in the 15th century, inspired by the Kakatiya dynasty, but over the years, it evolved into the worship of Goddess Mavli and other tribal deities. The festival is one of the longest religious festivals in the world, with Goddess Danteshwari and Goddess Mavli being the primary deities worshipped herein.
The festival commences with the 'Paat Jatra' ritual, which involves worshipping the wooden chariot used in the Dussehra festival. Subsequently, on the first day of Navratri, the Jogi Bithai practice is performed in Sirhasar Bhawan to ensure a smooth conclusion.
Rath Parikrama, featuring the four-wheeled Phool Rath, begins on the second day of Jogi Bithai. After hoisting Mai Danteshwari's canopy and completing the greetings, the Phool Rath is circumambulated daily around Gole Bazaar, situated in front of Sirasar and Danteshwari Temple. On Durgashtami, Nisha Jatra is performed, followed by the ritual of lifting the Jogi on Navami. On the tenth day, Maa Danteshwari's umbrella is welcomed from Dantewada, presented by the King of Bastar in the Mawali Parghav ritual, along with the goddess's umbrella and the regional deity, Aanga Dev.
Bastar Dussehra holds great significance for the tribal society, showcasing their faith, traditions, and cultural heritage. Various tribal groups participate with their traditional dances, songs, and musical instruments, with the Munda community's Baja and the Gond, Muria, Halba, and Dhurwa tribes playing crucial roles in the festival.
Beyond religious rituals, Bastar Dussehra is a widespread cultural and social event, featuring fairs where handicrafts, music, dance, and tribal cuisine can be enjoyed. The festival attracts tourists from India and abroad, symbolising the diversity and richness of tribal society. It demonstrates that festivals are not limited to religious rituals but also serve as a medium to preserve the cultural, social, and historical heritage of society. The 75-day festival will conclude on 19 Oct.