Chief minister’s residence adorned in the vibrant hues of the Hareli festival: ‘Gedi’ rides, Rahchuli swing, Chhattisgarhi music and more..

Raipur: Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, accompanied by his family and citizens of the state, joyously celebrated the first festival of Chhattisgarh ‘Hareli’ at his residence office. Following age-old customs, the chief minister, along with his wife Mukteshwari Baghel and relatives, worshipped village deities, Tulsi Mata, Nangar, agricultural tools, ‘gedis’, and cows, wishing for a bountiful harvest, the well-being of farmers, and the people of the state.

Chief minister’s residence bedecked in hues of Hareli festival

Chief minister’s residence was decked up in a captivating setting adorned with vibrant hues of the Hareli festival, embracing the rich cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh. The ambience resonated with the essence of the region, with Chhattisgarhi music, folk dances, Gadwa Baja, Raut Nacha, Gedi Nritya, and Rahchuli. The tempting aroma and taste of diverse Chhattisgarhi dishes and delicacies further heightened the festivities as enthusiastic participants gathered at the chief minister’s residence to celebrate Hareli. Additionally, the Livestock Development Department set up a stall showcasing a variety of dairy products and animal feed. Notably, the stall exhibiting traditional agricultural tools garnered immense appreciation, evoking nostalgic memories of the bygone era of traditional farming. The event also witnessed captivating performances of Raut Nacha and Gedi dance by local artists, reflecting the cultural richness of Chhattisgarh. In a delightful gesture, the Chief Minister agreed to the request of Raut Nacha artists by adorning himself in traditional Chhattisgarhi attire, augmenting their enthusiasm and fervour.

Chief minister enjoyed traditional Rahchuli swing with his granddaughter

Chief minister’s residence transformed into a vibrant fairground as a part of the Hareli celebrations, offering a delightful glimpse into the region’s rich folk culture. Amidst the festive ambience, chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, accompanied by his daughter and granddaughter, joyfully enjoyed the traditional swing of Rahchuli. The public representatives present on the occasion also enjoyed Rahchuli.

CM Baghel engages in traditional ‘Gedi’ ride

Chief minister Baghel also took a ‘Gedi’ ride, a cherished age-old tradition during the Hareli festival. Radiating enthusiasm and energy, he embodied the joy and excitement of youth expressing their happiness while engaging in the ‘Gedi’ ride tradition during Hareli.

Chief minister inspected stalls of various departments

A stall displaying dairy products and traditional agricultural tools was also set up at the venue by the Agriculture and Livestock Development Department. Chief minister personally visited the stalls and commended the innovative efforts of the department in boosting farmers’ income. The stalls primarily showcased a wide array of dairy products and animal feed. Furthermore, the Chief minister visited the stall dedicated to traditional agricultural tools. The stall exhibited traditional agricultural tools including Rapa, Datarai, Koper, Dheki, Tangia, Supa, Jata, Jhauha, Parasi, and Hansiya. Baghel heaped praise on the stall stating that it is important to familiarize today’s youth with these traditional tools and equipment. These tools are not merely associated with agriculture but are deeply intertwined with the region’s rich culture and heritage.