The temple festivals of central India comprise those of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh states. Temple festivals celebrated in Madhya Pradesh are influenced mainly by the tribal culture with backgrounds hailing from rural myths, while Chhattisgarh temple festivals are a spectacular and fascinating depiction of cultural integrity and diversity.
Temple Festivals of Madhya Pradesh, Central India
Madai Festival is one of the unique temple festivals, held in different villages from Mandla to Bastar in Chhattisgarh. Held in the third or fourth week of February, it"s a day of religious importance when devotees gather under the shade of a sacred tree to sacrifice a goat to the mother goddess. Amidst much singing, beating of drums and bells, the goat is slaughtered and then taken round the village. The night is spent rejoicing with folk dances, food and merrymaking.
Khajuraho Dance Festival is a prominent highlight of the state. Khajuraho, also known as the Temple Town, stands alone with its incredible ancient temples. It is not about religion but famous for erotic postures on the walls in the form of sculptures that vibrantly depict passion, eroticism, dance, music and creative arts. Khajuraho Dance Festival is organized annually by Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board for 7 days during February-March. The temples have open air corridors, where classical dancers come to perform from all over the country, mesmerising people across the globe with popular Indian dances like Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and others.
Bhagoria Haat Festival is one-of-its-kind carnival celebrating love, wherein young girls and boys have the right to elope with the person they choose to be their life partner. In this festival, one puts red Gulaal on their chosen partner`s face. It is held primarily in Jhabua and Khargone districts, simultaneously with offerings to the tribal God. Holi is celebrated in the state with much pomp and extravaganza for 2 days. On the first day, the sacred offerings are made in temples with bonfires, while rest of the celebrations are done in open ground.
Temple Festivals of Chhattisgarh, Central India
Madai temple festival of Narayanpur in Bastar, Chhattisgarh is most popular. Apart from this, Dussehra of Bastar is a loved and famed festival, celebrated with great fanfare with temple celebrations done in Jagdalpur city. Bhagoria festival too is celebrated in Chhattisgarh, prominent among the Bhil tribal people.
Kajari Festival is another important temple festival, celebrated on the same day as Raksha Bandhan on Shravan Purnima. Bhoramdeo Mahotsav is celebrated within the premises of Bhoramdeo Temple, in the last week of March. Rajim Lochan Mahotsav is celebrated in Rajimalochana Temple in the town of Rajim, from mid-February to March with much ostentation.
