Raipur, 30 September 2023 //
Bastar Dussehra Committee representatives, led by Bastar MP Shri Deepak Baij, met Chief Minister Shri Bhupesh Baghel at his residence office on Saturday. They invite the Chief Minister to participate in the world-famous Bastar Dussehra festival in 2023. The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to the delegation for inviting him to Bastar Dussehra and wished them success in organising the event.
It is noteworthy that the 75-day-long world-famous Bastar Dussehra festival begins on Hareli Amavasya and continues until the 13th day of the Ashwin Shukla Paksha. In India, Dussehra is celebrated with distinct identities in three different regions: Mysore (Karnataka), Kinnaur (Himachal Pradesh), and Bastar in Chhattisgarh. Bastar’s Dussehra is unique in itself, and it includes the procession of the chariot, symbolising the return of Chalukya Naresh Purushottam Dev to the Jagannath Temple in Puri after acquiring the title ‘Rathpati’. This festival involves the Ghoncha festival and the celebration of Dussehra, symbolising the return of the chariot, and it is organised with great enthusiasm in Bastar.
Currently, the residents of Bastar celebrate Dussehra with great reverence in honour of the goddess of Bastar, Maa Danteshwari. Bastar Dussehra is a symbol of the rich cultural heritage and social harmony of the region. This festival has specific roles and activities assigned to every section of society. Bastar Dussehra is celebrated with unique enthusiasm and joy every year, showcasing the unity and diversity of the community. People from all over the country and abroad visit Bastar to witness this extraordinary celebration, which attracts thousands of tourists.
