MP: Bhagoria will be celebrated as a national festival, CM Mohan Yadav announces
Bhopal: Bhagoria festival will be celebrated as a national festival in Madhya Pradesh. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav made this announcement in the House on Tuesday. He said that the government has decided to celebrate the Bhagoria folk festival, known as the Phag festival in the tribal areas of Malwa region, as a national festival.
CM said the government is also preparing to hold agricultural cabinet meetings in the tribal-dominated Barwani, Dhar, and Jhabua regions. This will not only encourage social celebrations but also demonstrate the Madhya Pradesh government's commitment to the development of this region and its residents. He also congratulated the Bhagoria folk festival, which began today.
A unique celebration of the Bhil and other indigenous communities
The Bhagoria Festival is a unique celebration of the Bhil and other indigenous communities such as Bhilalas and Pateliyas. Celebrated seven days before the festival of Holi, Bhagoria is more than just a festivity; it's a vibrant expression of tribal culture, unity, and bliss. The event is set up as a traditional haat amidst a cluster of 20 to 25 villages, some of which are Jhabua, Ranapur, and Para in Jhabua district, and Kathiwara, Valpur, and Sondhwa in the Alirajpur district.
Festival began as a tradition to honor Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati
The roots of the Bhagoria Festival trace back centuries, steeped in devotion and lore. According to the legends it began as a tradition to honor Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, with the name Bhagoriya derived from "Bhav-Gauri", another name for the divine couple.
A spectacle of vibrant colors and traditional attire
The festival is a spectacle of vibrant colors and traditional attire. Men wear dhoti, jhuladi, and a safa (turban), often along with conventional weapons and a belt of bells around their waists. Women grace the celebration in ghaghra and polki, complemented by dazzling silver jewelery that adorns them from head to toe.