TFP Bureau, Raipur, July 24, 2025: The Chief Minister’s residence came alive today with the vibrant celebration of Hareli, Chhattisgarh’s iconic folk festival that honours farming, nature, and rural culture. The event beautifully showcased the state’s rich agrarian heritage through a unique blend of age-old tools, captivating folk performances, and sacred pujas, reflecting the deep bond between the people and their land.
A special exhibition of traditional agricultural implements transformed the CM residence into a living museum of Chhattisgarhi rural life. Items like the Katha (grain measurer), Khumri (bamboo headgear worn by herders), Kansi ropes (used for weaving beds), Jhampi (ancient storage baskets), and the Kalari (paddy-turning tool) highlighted the practical artistry of village communities and their sustainable lifestyles.
Folk traditions took centre stage with mesmerizing performances of the Raut Naacha and Sundar Naacha dances, accompanied by rhythmic beats of traditional instruments such as dhol, mandar, and nagada. These dances, deeply rooted in devotion to Lord Krishna and the herders’ community, portrayed themes of bravery, love, and social unity, bringing alive centuries-old narratives of Chhattisgarh’s cultural ethos.
Adding a spiritual dimension to the celebrations, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai personally conducted the worship of Gauri-Ganesh and Navgrahas, followed by the sacred Abhishek of Lord Shiva. For the first time, Bhilai-based siblings Dhanishtha and Divya Sharma chanted mantras during the ceremony, enhancing the solemnity of the occasion. The Chief Minister also performed the traditional puja of farming tools, symbolizing respect for the instruments that sustain rural livelihoods.
In a touching gesture, CM Sai fed a cow and calf with Londi and green fodder, underscoring the festival’s message of gratitude and care for livestock, which are regarded as integral members of the farming household in Chhattisgarh. Leaders from across the state government, including Speaker Dr. Raman Singh and Deputy CM Vijay Sharma, attended the festivities, emphasizing the event’s importance.
CM Vishnu Deo Sai conveyed heartfelt wishes for prosperity and happiness, calling Hareli not just a festival but a profound reminder of Chhattisgarh’s harmony with nature, agriculture, and tradition. The day’s celebrations at the CM residence offered a vivid, immersive experience of the state’s rural soul, blending cultural pride with spiritual reverence and communal joy.
