Bhojali, the traditional festival of Chhattisgarh, is celebrated as Friendship Day. It is a symbol of brotherhood and goodwill. Bhojali festival is celebrated on the second day of Rakshabandhan to wish for good rains, crops and happiness and prosperity. It is also known as Bhujriya/Kajaliya in many places. This festival is associated with love for nature and happiness. It has been in practice for centuries. This time this festival is being celebrated today i.e. on 20th August.
Bhujriya is a popular tradition mainly done in Bundelkhand on the second day of Rakhi, in which on the second day of Nag Panchami, soil brought from the fields is filled in pots and wheat is sown in it. Till the day of Rakshabandhan, cow dung manure and water is given to them and they are taken care of. Apart from Bundelkhand, this festival is also celebrated traditionally in Malwa and Nimar region. In Chhattisgarh, there is a belief about this festival that after sowing Bhojali 7 days in advance, Bhojali songs are organized every evening and worship is done like a goddess. After this, it is immersed on the second day of Rakhi. A procession is also taken out for this.
recognition of the festival
On the second day of Raksha Bandhan, Chhattisgarh’s popular festival Bhojali is celebrated. Special enthusiasm is seen about this festival, especially in villages. Where Bhojali is immersed with pomp and show. It is believed that it is prevalent since the time of King Alha Udal. This festival is celebrated to wish for good rain, good harvest and happiness and prosperity in life. On the second day of Raksha Bandhan, women worship these baskets and take them to water sources in the form of a procession.
Importance of Bhujaria festival
It is noteworthy that people sow wheat or jowar in their homes in the month of Saavan with the hope of prosperity. The sprouts of these are called Bhujaria. The Gwal community celebrates Bhujaria festival as their sisters and daughters. This festival starts from Nag Panchami. Which ends on the second day of Rakshabandhan. This festival is also celebrated as a sign of mutual brotherhood and goodwill. This tradition has been going on since the time of Lord Krishna, which is still being celebrated with great enthusiasm in the society.