DIWALI IN CHHATTISGARH

The five-day festival of Deepawali in Chhattisgarh, which is also known in the local dialect as "Devari Tihar" or "Surhutti Tihar", includes unique folk traditions such as Dhanteras, Narak Chaudas, Lakshmi Pujan, Suwa, Gaura-Gauri Puja, Govardhan Puja, and Maatar as integral parts of the festival of lights. In the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly as well, the festival from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj has been described as a five-day celebration. The traditions of its fourth and fifth days, especially the folk traditions related to livestock and the Yadav/Raut community—Govardhan Puja and Maatar—provide Chhattisgarh’s Diwali with a distinct and unique identity from other regions of the country.

The complete details of these 5 days celebrated in Chhattisgarh are as follows:

1. Day One: Dhanteras

Chhattisgarh is an agrarian state; therefore, there is a special tradition of tying garlands of newly harvested paddy crops (soota) at the main entrances of homes in welcome of Dhanteras and Deepawali. It is believed that when birds visiting the courtyard peck at these grains of paddy, the message of happiness and prosperity reaches Mother Lakshmi.

Tradition of Shopping

• Utensils and Jewelry: On this day, people consider buying new utensils, gold, and silver to be very auspicious. A distinct festive bustle is seen across the markets.
• Purchase of Brooms: Sweeping the house and purchasing a broom holds special significance for welcoming Mother Lakshmi. The newly purchased broom is worshipped with roli and turmeric.

Dhanvantari and Kuber Puja

In the evening, Lord Dhanvantari (the deity of Ayurveda) and Kuber, the god of wealth, are worshipped alongside Mother Lakshmi. Homes are adorned with the glow of earthen lamps, and prayers are offered for the family's good health and prosperity.

2. Day Two: Narak Chaudas / Chhoti Diwali

In Chhattisgarh, Choti Diwali, or Narak Chaturdashi, is celebrated with great enthusiasm along with local folk traditions, cleanliness, and rural beliefs. In the local dialect, it is referred to as 'Yama Chaturdashi' or Choti Diwali.

Ubtan and Oil Bath

• On the day of Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi, there is a tradition of waking up before sunrise to take a bath after applying mustard oil or ubtan (Turmeric herbal paste) on the body. It is believed that this dispels negative energy and poverty from the body while bestowing a healthy physique.

Yama Deepdan and Four-Faced Earthen Lamp (Chaumukha Diya)

• In the evening, lamps are lit near the main entrance of the home, the baadi (backyard/courtyard), the Tulsi Chaura, and the ghurwa (the traditional compost/garbage area).
• An old or new four-faced earthen lamp (Yama Diya) is lit facing the south direction for Lord Yamraj, ensuring that there is no fear of untimely death in the family.

Final Cleaning and Plastering of the Home

• Exactly one day before the main Deepawali (Lakshmi Puja), the courtyards and thresholds of homes are plastered and prepared using cow dung and yellow-white clay (chhui-mati).
• The work of drawing traditional chowk designs and alpana at the home's entrance using rice flour paste (pithaur) and red ochre (geru) is completed on this very day.

Worship of Ghurwa and Baadi

• In rural areas, lamps are placed to illuminate spaces linked with agrarian life, especially the ghurwa (organic compost pit) and the baadi, which is regarded as a symbol of expelling filth and poverty from the home and courtyard.

3. Day Three: Mahalakshmi Puja / Main Diwali

In Chhattisgarh, Lakshmi Pujan on Deepawali is celebrated with the core essence of the 'Rice Bowl', agricultural culture, and local folk traditions. Here, Goddess Lakshmi is revered not only as the goddess of wealth, but primarily in the form of 'Anna Lakshmi' (goddess of food grain) and 'Dhan' (paddy).

Major Traditions of Lakshmi Pujan in Chhattisgarh

Worship of Paddy Ears and Traditional Measuring Vessels (Paili/Kaatha)

• There is a tradition of making traditional chowk patterns with the help of raw rice solution (pithaur) and red ochre (geru). Small symbolic footprints (pag-chihna) of Goddess Lakshmi are drawn from the main entrance leading up to the place of worship and the cash vault/safe.
• A toran (festoon) of mango leaves and marigold flowers is tied to the main door.
• In Chhattisgarh, the new Kharif paddy crop begins to ripen during this period. Therefore, garlands made of fresh paddy ears are decorated upon the worship altar.
• Paili and Kaatha (traditional Chhattisgarhi brass or bronze vessels used for measuring paddy) are filled with fresh paddy or rice and installed before Goddess Lakshmi. This is regarded as a symbol of unbroken abundance of food and wealth in the home.

Worship Rituals and Offerings (Bhog)

• Statues of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kuber are installed during the Pradosh Kaal and Sthir Lagna.
• The main ritual is performed by filling earthen lamps with mustard or sesame oil.
• Traditional Offerings: Along with kheer, puri, batashe, puffed rice (lai), and fruits, specialized traditional Chhattisgarhi dishes—Chausela (rice-flour puris), Anarsa, Babra, Thethari, and Khurmi—are offered to the Goddess as bhog.

Special Spots for Deepdan

• After the puja concludes, the entire home and courtyard are illuminated with earthen lamps.
• In Chhattisgarh, lamps are placed not only inside the house, but everywhere, including the Tulsi Chaura, kothar (granary/paddy storage space), the cow shed (gothan/gaushala), well/water source, baadi (vegetable garden), and up to the ghurwa.

Suwa Nach and Welcoming the Suwa Dancers

• On the night of Lakshmi Pujan, groups of Suwa dancers visit house after house.
• Placing a Suwa (clay parrot) in the middle of the courtyard, women sing traditional Suwa songs to the clapping of their hands. After the worship, homemakers present these married women and young girls with paddy, festive delicacies, and money/dakshina filled in winnowing baskets (soop).
• Meaning of Suwa: 'Suwa' literally means parrot. In this dance, a parrot made of clay or wood (suwa) is placed on top of paddy or rice kept inside a bamboo basket.
• Dance Style: Women and young girls dance in a circle around the parrot idol, bending forward and clapping their hands. No musical instruments are used; only the rhythm of claps and the resonant singing of Suwa songs fill the air.
• Family and Tradition: The women performing this dance sing the songs themselves while clapping. According to ancient belief, when women performing this dance visited the homes of farmers in the village, they were given money and grain as gifts, which they later used in the wedding festivities of Gaura-Gauri.
• Conclusion of the Festival: This tradition coincides with the harvesting of paddy and the arrival of the new crop. People offer paddy, rice, or money as gifts to the troupes singing Suwa from door to door, and in return, they bestow blessings of happiness and prosperity upon the entire family.

Preparation for Livestock (For the Next Day)

• After the rituals end on Diwali night, farmers and families immerse themselves in preparations for the Govardhan Puja / Maatar Tihar to be celebrated the following day.
• Colorful garlands called 'Sohai' (made from the bark of palash trees or moonj grass) are crafted for bulls and cows, which are tied around the animals' necks the following day.

4. Day Four: Govardhan Puja and Gaura-Gauri Festival

In Chhattisgarh, there is a unique and deep-rooted folk tradition of celebrating Govardhan Puja on the day after Deepawali, followed by Maatar Tihar the next day (or the same evening). This celebration is especially connected with livestock (bovine cattle), nature, Mother Earth, and the traditional valor of the Yaduvanshi (Yadav/Raut) community.

Installation of Mount Govardhan Using Cow Dung

• In the morning, symbolic figures of Mount Govardhan, cowherd boys (gwal-baal), cows, calves, and Lord Shri Krishna are crafted in the courtyard of the home or the gothan (cowshed) using fresh cow dung.
• Ritual worship is conducted by offering jujubes (ber), crown flowers (madar), ears of paddy, and holy grass (doob) upon them.

Adornment of Cattle and Tying the 'Sohai'

• Cows and bulls are bathed, and their horns are anointed with oil and red ochre (geru).
• Tying the Sohai: Colorful 'Sohai' (garlands) are crafted from palash bark, chhirra grass, or moonj. Herdsmen (Raut/Yadav) or heads of the household tie the Sohai around the necks of cows and bulls, blessing them with longevity and protection.
• The livestock are fed balls of rice flour dough, fresh paddy khichdi or lapsi, and special festive delicacies.

'Gauri-Gaura' Immersion and Circumambulation

• The clay idols of Gaura-Gauri (Shiva-Parvati) prepared on Diwali night are immersed in the village pond or river on the day of Govardhan Puja.
• During this ritual, traditional instruments (Nishan, Tasha, Mohri) are played, and women sing auspicious songs.

Govardhan Khundwana (Cattle Frolic)

• The herd of cows and bulls is made to run over the Govardhan figures crafted from cow dung at the village gothan or square, an act known as 'Govardhan Khundwana'.
• It is believed that this dung touched by the hooves of cattle is extremely sacred. People apply it on their foreheads as a tilak and place it on the thresholds of their homes for happiness and prosperity.

Tradition of Bestowing Blessings

• On the occasion of Govardhan Puja and Maatar, members of the Raut/Yadav community dress up in traditional attire, carry wooden sticks (lathi) and traditional accessories, and go from house to house. They extend well-wishes and blessings to family members. During this time, folk songs and the traditional Raut Nacha are also performed.
• Seeking blessings from elders and bestowing good wishes upon the younger ones is an important part of this tradition. The household members also honor them and present traditional gifts/token money (neg). This tradition is considered a symbol of mutual brotherhood, joy, and community unity.

Blessing Doha (Couplet)

"Jaise maalik lihe-dihe taise debo asees.

Anna dhan le ghar bharai-jeeo laakh barees."

(Meaning: As the master gave with an open heart, in the same spirit we bestow our blessings—may your home remain filled with food grain and wealth, and may you live for a hundred thousand years.)