Teeja–Pora Festival, Chhattisgarh

In Chhattisgarh, Teej and Pola are collectively known as the “Teeja–Pora” festival.

Teeja–Pora is one of the major traditional folk festivals of Chhattisgarh. The festival is particularly associated with women, farmers, and rural traditions. It brings together the folk traditions of Hartalika Teej and the Pora festival. This year, Teej will be celebrated on 14 September 2026.

Teeja–Pora Tihar is also celebrated with great enthusiasm and in a traditional Chhattisgarhi setting at the official residence of the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh.

The main ways and traditions of celebrating the festival here are as follows:

A Home-Like Maternal Atmosphere:

The Chief Minister’s residence is decorated as a symbolic maternal home (Mayka) for women coming from different parts of the state, including women from Self-Help Groups, women from various communities, women from different organizations, and rural women, with special participation from rural women. The Chief Minister himself takes on the role of a Brother, welcoming the women with warmth and affection.

· Traditional Decorations: The premises of the Chief Minister’s residence are transformed with the colours and elements of rural Chhattisgarhi culture. Special decorations include Nandi bulls (clay bulls associated with Pora), supa (winnowing baskets), tokni (traditional baskets), and colourful traditional symbols.

· Worship of Shiva and Parvati: The programme begins with women observing the Teeja fast and the Chief Minister jointly offering prayers to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, seeking happiness, prosperity, and well-being for the state.

· Traditional Food and Cuisine: Traditional Chhattisgarhi dishes such as Thethri, Khurmi, and other local delicacies are prepared and served.

Gifts and Honour: Women attending the celebration are presented with sarees, lac bangles, and other gifts by the Chief Minister. which is known as (“Suhaag Bhet”)

Traditional Games and Cultural Programmes at Teeja–Pora Tihar

The Teeja–Pora Tihar organised at the Chief Minister’s residence gives a special place to traditional Chhattisgarhi games and vibrant cultural programmes. The celebration is dedicated to reminding mothers and sisters of their childhood memories and rural surroundings.

Detailed information about the games and cultural programmes held here is given below:

Traditional Chhattisgarhi Games

Several traditional rural games are organised in the large courtyard of the Chief Minister’s residence to encourage women and children. The invited Teejharin women participate in these activities with great enthusiasm.

· Fugdi: This is a traditional game particularly popular among girls and women. Women sit on the ground and play Fugdi by moving their feet in a particular rhythm. The participant who continues playing until the end without getting tired is declared the winner.

·         Raichuli and Traditional Swings: Large traditional swings, known as Raichuli, are installed in the courtyard. Women dressed in traditional attire enjoy the swings while singing traditional Chhattisgarhi Sawan songs.

· Gedi Race: Gedi, a traditional structure made of bamboo that is used to walk by placing the feet on raised platforms, has special significance during the Pora festival. Gedi competitions are organised at the Chief Minister’s residence, where young people—and on several occasions, even the Chief Minister himself—enjoy riding the Gedi.

· Spoon Race and Jalebi Race: To add to the fun and entertainment, amusing competitions are also organised for women, such as running while balancing a lemon on a spoon and trying to eat hanging jalebis without using their hands.

· Matka Phod and Tug of War: Women are divided into different teams for tug-of-war competitions, creating an energetic and lively atmosphere.

💃 Vibrant Cultural Programmes

During the festival, the stage at the Chief Minister’s residence comes alive with the rich folk art, music, and cultural traditions of Chhattisgarh.

Sua Dance: On the occasion of Teeja, female artists perform the traditional Sua Dance, also known as the (In Chhattisgarhi, a parrot is called “Sua.” In the rural areas of Chhattisgarh, women traditionally express their emotions and heartfelt feelings through the Sua, which is known as the Sua dance tradition) Dressed in traditional attire, the women clap, move rhythmically in circles, and sing melodious Sua songs that beautifully express folk emotions.

· Jasgeet and Bhajans: Chhattisgarhi artists perform Jasgeet, devotional songs dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The Chief Minister and the gathering often enjoy these devotional performances to the rhythm of the dholak and manjira.

· Karma and Dadariya Dance: The vibrant Karma Dance and Dadariya, which represent the tribal and folk traditions of Chhattisgarh, are also performed. The rhythmic beats of the mandar and dhol, accompanied by energetic performances by the artists, create a truly festive atmosphere.

· Folk Theatre and Humorous Plays: Short folk performances and Chhattisgarhi comedy plays depicting the culture and everyday life of Chhattisgarh are also staged on many occasions. These performances provide plenty of entertainment to the guests.

Through these celebrations, the Government of Chhattisgarh conveys a meaningful message of preserving and promoting the state’s soil, traditions, folk culture, and rich cultural heritage.

1. Brief Traditional Description: Pora (Pola) Tihar

· Respect for Agriculture and Livestock: Pora is primarily a festival that expresses gratitude towards agriculture, farming, and bullocks

Pola (Pora) falls exactly 3 days before Hartalika Teej.

According to the Hindu Panchang, their dates are:

· Pola Festival: Celebrated on the Amavasya (new moon day) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada (Bhado).

· Hartalika Teej: Celebrated on the Tritiya (third day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada.

After Amavasya, following the passage of Pratipada (Padwa) and Dwitiya (Dooj) of Shukla Paksha, Tritiya (Teej) arrives, resulting in a 3-day gap between the two festivals.

In the year 2026:

· Pola: September 11, 2026 (Friday)

·Hartalika Teej: September 14, 2026 (Monday)

· Worship of Bullocks: On this day, farmers specially worship the plough (Nangar) and the bullocks that work in their fields. The bullocks are decorated and offered kheer and puri.

· Children’s Traditional Games: Children play with clay toys, bullock carts (Chulmati), and spinning tops (Bhaunra/Lattoo). Clay pots and toys, including Nandi bull figures, are brought into homes.

· Rituals and Decoration of Bullocks: In the morning, farmers take their bullocks to a river or pond for bathing. Their horns are then decorated with oil or colour, and bells (Pain Jana) are tied around their necks.

· Worship of the Janta and Musal: Inside the house, the sil-batta (grinding stone), janta (traditional hand mill), and musal (pestle) are worshipped in the household courtyard. These are considered symbols of a good harvest and prosperity.

· Worship of Clay Bullocks: Children decorate clay bullocks (Nandi bulls) and clay utensils (Chulmati). In the evening, these clay bullocks are worshipped according to traditional rituals and offered traditional food as bhog.

Traditional Dishes

On Pora, two traditional Chhattisgarhi dishes, Chila and Chausela, along with Thethri (a savoury snack) and Khurmi (a sweet dish), are mainly prepared.

2. Brief Description: Teeja Tihar (Hartalika Vrat)

·         Worship of Shiva and Parvati: This is a waterless fast observed by women for the long life of their husbands, marital happiness, and the prosperity of their families. Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva are worshipped during the fast.

· Invitation to the Parental Home: According to the traditions of Chhattisgarh, daughters and married women return to their parental homes for Teeja. Brothers or fathers come to bring them home, and they are given beautiful sarees, traditional jewellery/cosmetics, and other gifts.

In Chhattisgarh, women observe the Teeja fast on Shukla Tritiya of the month of Bhadrapada for the long life of their husbands and continued marital bliss. It is a difficult fast observed completely without food or water(Nirjala Vrat) .

Detailed Traditional Puja Rituals

1. Karu Bhat (One Day Before the Fast)

One day before the fast, on Dwitiya Tithi, women eat Karu Bhat, which mainly consists of bitter gourd curry and rice. After this meal, they begin their formal resolve to observe the fast.

In Chhattisgarh, there is a tradition of eating Karu Bhaat (bitter gourd rice) the night before the Hartalika Teej fast. This is not merely a ritual, but a precise Ayurvedic and scientific pre-fasting preparation for the 24 to 36-hour waterless fast (Nirjala Vrat).

Key scientific reasons for eating Karu Bhaat before the Teej fast:

·         Relief from Acidity and Bile: It calms the Pitta dosha elevated by the monsoon season, preventing heartburn and gas during the extended period without food or water.

·         Body Detoxification: Bitter gourd cleanses the liver and intestines, preparing the digestive system for fasting.

·         Blood Sugar Regulation: It stabilizes blood glucose levels, helping prevent dizziness, headaches, and sudden weakness while fasting.

·         Infection Prevention: Its natural antibacterial properties protect the gut from worms and seasonal infections.

2. Installation of Clay Mahadev

On the evening of Teeja, or during the Pradosh period, women make idols of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and Lord Ganesha with clean clay collected from a river or pond, or with soil from a household plant pot.

3. Decorating the Puja Platform

A red or green cloth is spread over a traditional wooden platform. The clay idols are placed on a bed of flowers. Lamps and incense are then lit.

4. Suhag Items and Adornment

Goddess Parvati is offered traditional suhag items, including a red chunari, sindoor, bindi, bangles, mehendi, kajal, and toe rings.

Lord Shiva is offered bel leaves, dhatura, aak flowers, and janeu (sacred thread).

5. Offering of Bhog

Specially prepared Khurmi, Thethri, Chausela, and fruits are offered to the deities as bhog on the day of Teeja.

6. Vrat Katha and Night Vigil

Women sit together in groups and listen to the Hartalika Teeja Vrat Katha. Traditionally, they do not sleep during the night. They remain awake throughout the night, singing devotional songs and performing kirtan dedicated to Shiva and Parvati.

7. Paran (Breaking the Fast)

The following morning, on Chaturthi, the women perform the puja and aarti again and immerse the clay idols. After this, they drink water and formally break their fast.