Jitendra Sinha, Rajim. Today, the festival of Holi is being celebrated with great pomp across the country, in which people are celebrating the festival of colors in different ways. On this occasion of Holi, a scene of joy is being seen in every corner. A day before Holi, people also celebrate Holika Dahan in their traditional style. An amazing scene of Holika Dahan has been seen in a village in Gariaband district of Chhattisgarh. People here were seen walking barefoot on burning embers after Holika Dahan. There is no harm to anyone in this. Everyone is surprised to see this ancient custom here.
Actually, this case is of Kothigaon village of Chhura area of Gariaband district which is in Saraipali near the Odisha border. This custom of villagers walking barefoot on the burning embers after Holika Dahan has been going on since ancient times. People believe that walking on the embers left after Holika Dahan relieves physical pain. People happily accept this tradition that has been going on from generation to generation even today. People have great faith in the fact that following this tradition neither brings unrest in the village nor causes any outbreak of any infectious disease in the village. Before Holika Dahan, people remember the village goddess Mata Dokribudhi. First of all the priest crosses the burning embers barefoot. After this, other villagers cross it barefoot, chanting the name of the village goddess. Wood and coal are used in Holika Dahan. After this, when the ashes cool down, the villagers take them to their homes. They also get vaccinated for it and then celebrate Holi.
