Folk festival of Chher Chhera makes its distinct place in the list of diverse and vibrant festivals of culturally rich Chhattishgarh. Let’s see how it is distinct by knowing about various aspects of it.
What Is This Festival Of Chher Chhera About ?
It is a fest of sharing of the grains from kharif crop cultivation by every households to children and groups of people of different age groups. It also includes sharing of food items and vegetables.
When Is It Celebrated ?
Chher Chhera is celebrated on full-moon day of pausha(pushya) month(Dec-Jan) of Hindi calender year. It is being celebrated on 25 January 2024 this year.
Legends
According to the popular belief, in ancient times situation of outcry created due to the severe famine conditions in Chhattisgarh. People were dying by starvation. There were no rains for a prolonged period of time. On the prayers of sufferers goddess of grains, fruits and vegetations, and medicine Shakambhari appeared and vanished all their sufferings. Since then goddess Shakambhari is worshipped on this day.
It is believed that ruler of the Kaushal state Kalyan Sai went to the emperor Jehangir’s empire to learn art of war. For those 8 years Maharani ruled the Kaushal state. On the occasion of coming back of the ruler to Ratanpur, Maharani made gold and silver coins distributed. It is said that custom of offering started from this day and known as Chher Chhera. Since then this festival became integral part of Chhattisgarh’s culture.
According to one belief Lord Shiva reincarnated as Nat and got the offerings of grains from Parvati(Annapoorna) on this day.
What Happens On This Day ?
On this day of Chher Chhera children and people of different age groups go to every house and seek to offer them small amount of Dhan(paddy) and (at some places) green vegetables by rhyming “Chherik Chhera…”
"Chherik chhera chher baratnin chher-chhera, maayi kothi ke dhan la her hera" "Aran baran kodo daran, jabbhe debe tabbhe taran "
Visiting house to house is done generally by making groups by children. They keep with them Jhola(bag) or Bambbo basket(made up with bamboo strips). In every house people are ready and prepared with considerable amount of grains to offer seekers. Group of the adults visit door to door of the village seeking offerings with Baja and other musical instruments. Visiting starts in the morning at around 7am and around 2-3 O’clock it is over.
Offerings signify strengthening of brotherhood among people.
Prevalence
Chher Chhera is mostly prevalent in rural regions of Chhattisgarh but it is also observed in urban areas by offering money, green vegetables or food items.
Name Of The Festival In Different Regions
It is called Chherta in Sarguja division and Chher Chhera in Raipur and Bilaspur divisions.
Preparation Of The Festival Chher Chhera
In the preparation of this festival, from early morning ground areas in front of entry gates of houses are smeared with mixture of Gobar and water besides cleaning houses.
FAQs
There is a popular belief about this festival. What is that ?
It is believed that on this day visiting to relatives’ and other’s houses as a guest should be avoided.
What is the order of this festival in hindi calender year ?
It is one of the last festivals according to Hindi calender year.
Does this festival get any mention in other parts of the country ?
Yes. Chher Chhera is also a folk festival of western Odisha.
Credit
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