Pilgrimage

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Sanchi (68 km)
Its serene environs reflect the importance of this hilly enclave as an ancient Buddhist site. This amazingly well preserved and extensive site dates back over several centuries from the 3rd century BC. Home to many Buddhist monasteries and stupas the settlement was founded by the Emperor Ashoka of Kalinga fame. Ashoka's young wife hailed from Vidisha, which is about 10km away. It was with patronage from Vidisha's rich merchants that Sanchi grew to a thriving township by the 12th century.

Festivals

The adivasis of MP have a zest for life that can be observed from the countless tribal fairs and festivals celebrated every year. Clad in their colourful best with loads of jewellery, flowers and fancy headgear, men and women set out days in advance to reach the site of the fair or festival. Let’s check out some of them.

Madai Festival
One of the unique attractions of Bastar is the Madai festival held in the different villages extending from Mandla to Bastar. It is especially dear to the Gonds who come from far off places to meet their kith and kin and to purchase a year’s supply of items like salt and cooking oil.Though the Madai is organized in many villages, the most renowned Madai is that of Narayanpur in Bastar. Held in the third or fourth week of February, it is a day of great religious importance. Devotees gather under the shade of a sacred tree to sacrifice a goat to the mother goddess. Amidst much singing, beating of drums and bells, the goat is slaughtered and then taken round the entire village. The night is spent in dancing, eating and making merry.

Bhagoriya Festival
Ever heard of a festival where you are officially allowed to elope with your lover? Check this one out, guys. Held in the Jhabua district, the Bhagoriya is to the Bhils what the Madai is to the Gonds – a festival of fun and joy. It is held a week before the Hindu festival of colours, Holi. Men and women celebrate it with ritual dancing to the beat of drums and thalis and the sweet melody of shehnai and bansuri (flutes). Bhagoradev or the god of dance is worshipped on this occasion. The most respected village elder presides over the ceremony and offers sweetmeats to the god.

The festival is special for Bhils because it could well mean love, romance and even marriage. Young men go around applying gulal (red coloured powder used to play Holi with) to the girls they like. If a girl reciprocates the sentiment then she too applies gulal in return and that is all the permission a young man needs to marry her. Even the mutual exchange of pan or betel leaf is a declaration of love.

Dusshera of Bastar
The Dusshera of Jagdalpur is said to be quite a celebration. Held annually in the months of October-November, the venue for this one is Jagdalpur in Bastar.

Karma
The festival of Karma,a religious festival, calls for a huge celebration every year among the Korba tribals of MP. On the day of worship, devotees fast from morning till the next day – a good 24 hours. A branch from the Karam tree is planted in the middle of an open ground and the night is spent singing and dancing around it.

The Fair of Nagaji
This fair or mela is a way of remembering and paying respect to Saint Nagaji who lived at the time of Emperor Akbar, nearly 400 years ago. Tribals flock to Porsa village in Murena district every winter (November-December) and make merry for as long as a month. Earlier monkeys were sold at this fair, but now domestic animals top the charts.

Dance & Music
Can there ever be a tribal community without a rich tradition of dance and music? The adivasis of MP are no exception. Musical instruments like the tabla, dholak, thali and bansuri are commonly used as accompaniment to song and dance. Colourful costumes, chunky ornaments and stunningly bright headgear are vital to all their dances. Sometimes ghungroos and tiny tinkling bells are tied to the body to add that extra magic.

Most of the dances are executed to the tune of a love song celebrating a meeting with the beloved. Sometimes they might even express the pain and anguish of separation from the beloved. Here are the three most popular dances.

Sela : The Sela is favoured by the Baigas of Chattisgarh and is performed with wooden sticks or poles.

Karma : Both the Baigas and the Gonds perform this dance.

Bhagoriya : The Bhils dance the Bhagoriya with great verve during the festival of Bhagoriya when the lord of dance is worshipped too.

Culture & Cuisine

Although Bhopal is not considered to be as culturally evolved as Gwalior, the city is bursting at the seams with history, and walking down its narrow alleys is like sitting in a time machine and going back into the past.

The city’s shops are famous for traditional Bhopali crafts; you will find exquisite silver jewellery, beautifully-fashioned beadwork, sequined and embroidered velvet purses and cushions. The city is a great place to visit for non-vegetarians, thanks to long years of Islamic rule.

The chief delicacies are the spicy achar gost (pickled lamb), the sumptuous keemas (minced meat), the delectable rogan josh (mutton dish) and a variety of pulaos (aromatic rice) – enough to make even the most fastidious eater lick his lips. However, the culinary delight that the city is most famous for is the Bhopali Paan (betel leaf) which both men and women chew with relish.

Check the papers for local performances at Bharat Bhawan. You might want to attend a shairi (poetry) programme, which is a popular pastime amongst the older inhabitants of this old city. Rope in a local friend or acquaintance to get invited, or else check with the tourist office as its quite helpful with such information.

The old quarter is famous for traditional crafts such as embroidery, zardozi work, bridal wear and tailored sherwanis. Bhopal's famous beaded purses with draw strings or batuas make popular gifts. While in the markets do try a traditional Bhopali paan, some recipes of which have been handed down from generation to generation.