Chhattisgarh is known as the rice bowl of the country and today is its important harvest festival — Cher Chera. On this festival, celebrated each year on the full moon day of the Pausha month of Hindu calendar, grains are donated in the belief that sharing part of the produce would ensure that no one ever went hungry.
Bhupesh Baghel, chief minister of Chattisgarh, wished the people on the occasion of Cher Chera, today. He called the festival a symbol of the state’s glorious tradition of charity and social harmony.
The Cher Chera festival is dedicated to reaping the paddy harvest that is later shared by the people. Grains and fruits are also offered to ancestors as a mark of gratitude for watching over them for a good harvest. The Bastar region of the state comes alive with singing and dancing that is part and parcel of the celebrations.
The lore of Cher Chera
There are many lores associated with Cher Chera. One of them is about Lord Shiva who begged for the hand of Goddess Parvati. So, on this day, begging is not looked down upon. In fact, during Cher Cera everyone including the rich and the poor visit each others’ homes, seeking alms.
It is also believed that the festival celebrates a tradition that began with two sisters, Pandri Dai and Pungar Dai also revered as Annapoorna Daata. The sisters wanted every village to have a granary that would ensure no one ever suffered shortage of grains.
