Hareli Celebration Turns Sai’s Residence, Museum of Chhattisgarh's Rich Folk Legacy
Among the traditional items on display were Katha, Khumri, Jhampi, Kansi ki Dori, and Tutari.
Raipur: Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai’s sprawling official bungalow here on Thursday turned into a museum showcasing the rich folk, cultural and farming legacy of Chhattisgarh as he hosted the Hareli Tihar, the biggest festival of the state marking the beginning of the agricultural cycle.
The event turned into a stunning spectacle where age-old customs met modern innovations- a seamless display of traditional tools, folk attire, regional cuisine, and new-age agricultural technology.
Among the traditional items on display were Katha (a wooden grain measurer used in the past), Khumri (a bamboo-and-cowry- laced head shade for herders), Jhampi (a bamboo chest used during wedding), Kansi ki Dori (a handmade rope used for weaving ‘charpais’), and Tutari (an instrument used to manage cattle).
Alongside these were modern farm equipment presented by the state agriculture department- including ploughs, spades, hoes, rotavators, seed drills, power tillers, and sprayers- giving visitors a competitive glimpse of farming evolution.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sai said “Hareli is more than a festival- it is a tribute to agricultural life, livestock, and reverence for nature”.
The event also showcased the state’s unparalleled culinary legacy with a spread of iconic delicacies of Chhattisgarh served to the guests.
The aromatic feast was served in bamboo trays (known locally as soop), woven baskets (pitari), and traditional leaf plates (dona-pottal), capturing both the flavour and soul of rural life.
“These dishes embody the simplicity, hard work, and culinary richness of our mothers and sisters- they represent our true identity”, Mr. Sai said.
The celebration not only showcases the significance of Hareli but also reaffirms that the soul of Chhattisgarh lies in its soil, flavours, and traditions, he added.
Artists in traditional attire gave a captivating cultural performance bringing to life the rich folk legacy of the state.
