Chhattisgarh comes alive at Delhi’s Lutyens’ zone, where a traditional festival of the state was celebrated with great pomp and show. Chhattisgarh’s agricultural festival of Hareli, was celebrated at the Chhattisgarh Bhawan as part of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s initiative of preserving the state’s culture and tradition and passing it on to the next generation.
The aroma of Chhattisgarhi delicacies and the foot-tapping music of traditional folk songs filled the air with festivities that connected the people with the state’s vast culture.
The chief minister said that the main objective behind such celebrations is to connect people, especially the youth, with their traditions and culture, so that people can feel proud of the rich cultural heritage, local festivals and traditions of Chhattisgarh.
During the celebration, the visitors enthusiastically participated in the traditional game of climbing ‘Gendi’. ‘Gendi’ (long bamboo poles with a footrest) requires a lot of concentration and balance.
On the other hand, the game also gives us the message of becoming physically and mentally healthy.
The people of Chhattisgarh settled in Delhi also appreciated the Chief Minister’s initiative and said that such events keep them close to their culture and tradition even when they are far away from their native state. People gathered in large numbers at the Bhawan and relished the traditional dishes of Chhattisgarh. They enjoyed the cultural programmes and folk songs of Chhattisgarh.
The folk festival of ‘Hareli’ shows the importance of agricultural tradition and the environment. It is considered the first festival of the year in the region.