Dev Parikrama and Samagam increased the grandeur of the fair
Villagers welcomed the idols in a traditional manner
Raipur, 19 February 2025
The historic Mata Mawali Fair of Orchha region of Narayanpur district, a symbol of Chhattisgarh’s folk culture, divine faith and tradition, began today with devotion and gaiety. The five-day fair began with traditional worship and parghav (tradition of welcoming the deities) at the Mata Mawali temple. A grand procession was taken out with dangai, laath, doli and chhatra (umbrellas) symbolizing the local deities from nearby villages. After reaching the fair site, the ritual of two and a half parikrama was completed, in which the devotees worshiped the deities with traditional customs and rituals.
Many local deities including Mata Mawali, Kot Gudin, Sheetla Mata, Kokodi Karin, Telwadi Mata, Kankalin Mata, Sonkunwar, Bhimadev were given a grand welcome at the fair site. Devotees performed ritualistic worships with deep emotions along with Sirha, Pujaris and Gayta (traditional priest class). An atmosphere of faith and devotion prevailed throughout the fair.
In this historic fair, cultural programs will be organized every evening from 19 to 23 February 2025. Bastar Culture Group Lok Rang (Siddharth Mahajan) on 20 February, Anurag Sharma Star Night and Group on 21 February, Ras Parab and Group, Jagdalpur on 22 February, Mallakhamb Dance Academy and Nitin Dubey Super Star Night on 23 February.
Mawali Mela is the biggest folk festival of this region and this time too its grandeur is worth seeing. Meena bazaar, various types of swings, shops of daily use items, fancy bazaar, sweet shops are attracting people at the fair site. A large number of villagers and tourists are enjoying the fair.
The district administration has ensured proper security, drinking water, electricity and parking arrangements at the Mavali fair. Police force has been deployed at the fair site. Adequate number of drinking water tankers and temporary toilets have been arranged. High-power lights and generators have been installed in the entire fair area. Special parking zones have been created for smooth traffic management and vehicles.
Symbol of tribal culture, traditions and religious faith
The historic Mawali fair held in the Abujhmad region of Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh is a symbol of tribal culture, traditions and religious faith. This fair is associated with the deep religious beliefs of the tribal society of Chhattisgarh. This fair is celebrated in honor of Mata Mawali Devi, whom the local tribal community considers as their Kul Devi. The specialty of this fair is that devotees from different villages bring their deities in wooden palanquins and take out a grand procession (Jatra). During this, devotees worship Goddess Mawali by doing Parikrama.
It is believed that this fair is a part of a centuries-old tradition in which people of Gond, Muria and other tribal communities collectively showcase their traditions. On this occasion, a wonderful confluence of folk dance, sound of traditional instruments, ritualistic worship and harmony is seen. This fair is an important medium to connect the tribal society not only from religious but also social and cultural point of view.
