The Navakhana Festival is one of the famous festivals in Chhattisgarh state. According to the Hindu Calendar, it is celebrated in the month of Bhadrapad (also called Bhadav) every year. As per the Gregorian calendar, this festival comes in September month. This festival throughout the state commemorates the beginning of the season to harvest the rice crop.
Rice is offered to the family’s deity on the 9th day, also known as Navami of the Bhadrapad month. This is done to thank the goddess for providing them with good rains and a good harvest. Some members of the tribe offer liquor along with the newly harvested grains to their deities.
Various cultural events and dances are performed to express the joy of the harvest. These dances are organized during the night after eating the newly harvested rice.
Many varieties of dishes made out of rice are served during this festival, and members of the tribe sit together to eat and socialize.
The Gond tribe primarily celebrates this festival, but other tribal communities also celebrate this annual festival.
The Navakhana festival marks the beginning of the harvest and the end of the monsoon season.
This year 2021, this festival of Navakhana will be celebrated on the 10th of September 2021.
Chhattisgarh is a state which is located in the Central region of India. It was earlier part of Madhya Pradesh and was granted statehood on 1st November 2000. It hosts the ranking of being the 9th largest state in India.
Other Festivals of Chattisgarh
Bastar Dussehra – Is dedicated to Devi Danteshwari, who is considered the supreme power. The goddess is worshipped at the Danteshwari temple in Jagdalpur. The festival goes on for 72 days and is considered the longest festival in India.
Bastar Lokotsav – This is the folk culture of Chhattisgarh and is celebrated at the end of the monsoon season. Several events are organized in Jagdalpur and celebrated with songs and tribal dances.
Bhoramdeo Festival – This festival was the first set up by Maharaja Ramchandra Deo of the Nagavanshi dynasty. He laid the foundation of the Bhoramdeo temple in 1349.
Champaran Mela – This is a famous pilgrim in India and is the birthplace of Saint Vallabhacharya, the founder of the Vallabha community. This mela is organized between January and February.
Chhattisgarhi Language Day – 28th November is celebrated as the Language day of Chhattisgari. On this day in the year, 2007 is when Vidhan Sabha announced Chhattisgari as the state language.
Chhattisgarh Foundation Day, also referred to as Chhattisgarh Rajyotsav – 1st November of the year is celebrated as the Chhattisgarh Foundation day.
