Pola

Pola is a festival that follows Hareli. It is celebrated throughout Chhattisgarh by worshipping bullocks. Children play with idols of the vehicle of Lord Shiva. These idols are made of clay and are fitted with clay wheels. The principal event of this festival is a bull race.

Pola is also known as Pithori Amavasya. It is celebrated during the Hindu month of Shravan, which coincides with monsoon. It lays great emphasis on treating the bestial creatures with due respect. The festival is celebrated on a new moon night when the beautiful star-studded sky resembles a ripe and flourishing paddy field.

Chhattisgarh is a state famous for its cultural richness. It was carved out from Madhya Pradesh in this millennium and hence is infused with colors of Madhya Pradesh’s culture. The vibrant tribals love to celebrate life and this remains incomplete without the celebrations of the Pola festival.

India is a country where unity thrives in diversity and Chhattisgarh is no exception to this proud tradition. Animal worship is a common phenomenon amongst the various strange rituals that prevail in India. Chhattisgarh, with its predominant tribal culture, respect animals and celebrate many festivals as a mark of this reverence.

Pola is one such festival.

Pola is largely celebrated in Chhattisgarh with gaiety and mirth. The intention behind these celebrations is to pay respect to the bullocks without whom the agriculture and hence the economy of the country would be in dire straits.

Sowing and ploughing of seeds begin at the culmination of this ceremony.

Bail Pola or Pola is a festival that is grandly celebrated in rural India which has a predominantly agrarian economy. The celebrations start with the farmers decorating their bulls with adorning garments. Then the bulls are embellished with turmeric powder and are garlanded. Then they are offered holy food.

The evenings also witness musical parades. Puran Poli is the delicacy of the festival.