A thanksgiving local festival celebrated by farmers of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh
The Festival:
Yesterday, on 2nd September 2024, farmers of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh celebrated ‘Bail Pola’. ‘Bail’ means Bull and ‘Pola’ is for ‘Festival’. The festival is celebrated locally in farming community. Every year it is celebrated in the New Moon Day in the month of Shravanna (Marathi calender) i.e usually in August. A similar festival is celebrated in other parts of India, and is called ‘Mattu Pongal’ in south and ‘Godhan’ in northern and western parts of India.
The Significance:
From above all mentioned states, Bail Pola has very importance for the farmers of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. This festival signifies the importance of cattle especially bull for farming and agricultural activities. During this day, the farmer honors the cattle for the vital role it plays. The festival thus remarks and embraces the bonding that a farmer has with his bull.
The Celebration:
Bail Poli is celebrated in different ways in different regions. During this day, the family of farmer wakes up early morning. Baths bulls and oxen. Decorate them with colorful shawls, color their horns, wear garland of flowers and ties new rope. They are feed with Puranpoli ‘ A sweet dish of Maharashtra’ and other special foods. The women members of the family offer special poojas and prays to God and seek blessings for its good health. The family then takes the bull to temple and perform the rituals. All the bulls and Oxen of the village are gathered and take them for a procession. The villagers play music and dance as a moment of happiness.
The children on another hand, make Bull and bullock cart with clay or mud, color them and compete with each other. Parents also take interest in this and helps the children in making of bulls/bullock cart. In this way, the festival Bail Pola is celebrated with immense joy and enthusiasm.