TodayTools

Donate

About Bastar Dussehra

00 days

About Bastar Dussehra

Bastar Dussehra is one of the longest festivals in the world, kept for about 75 days in Jagdalpur, in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. Unlike Dussehra elsewhere, it is not about Ravana. It honours Maa Danteshwari, the goddess of Bastar, and the many forest communities who keep it together.

The festival begins on Hariyali Amavasya with Pat Jatra, the worship of the first log of sal wood for the great chariot. Craftsmen from the villages build a huge wooden chariot by hand, with no modern tools. On Ashwin amavasya the Kachan Gadi ritual asks the goddess Kachan for permission to start the main festival.

Through the nine nights, the chariot is pulled around the town by hundreds of people. The doli of Maa Danteshwari comes from Dantewada and is welcomed with drums and flowers. On Bhitar Raini and Bahar Raini the chariot rolls by night, and at the Muria Darbar village heads meet to talk about the needs of their people.

The festival is more than 600 years old and was started by the kings of Bastar. It brings together tribal communities from across the region, and it closes with a warm farewell to the goddess.

How people celebrate Bastar Dussehra

  • Pat Jatra: worship of the first chariot log
  • A huge wooden chariot built by hand
  • Kachan Gadi ritual on Ashwin amavasya
  • Welcome of Maa Danteshwari's doli
  • Chariot pulled through Jagdalpur by night
  • Muria Darbar, the meeting of village heads

How to wish well

  • Keep wishes respectful; this is a living faith for the people of Bastar.
  • Mention Maa Danteshwari, the chariot or the forest communities to make a wish personal.
  • Do not mix in Ravana or Ram Lila themes; Bastar Dussehra honours the goddess.
  • On the main days of Navratri, a wish for strength and blessings suits everyone.

Questions about Bastar Dussehra

When is Bastar Dussehra 2027?

The main days begin with Kachan Gadi on 30 September 2027 and run through Dussehra on 9 October 2027. The full festival starts about 75 days earlier with Pat Jatra.

Why is Bastar Dussehra 75 days long?

It starts with Pat Jatra on Hariyali Amavasya and goes on through many rituals until the farewell of the goddess after Dussehra, about 75 days in all.

Who is worshipped in Bastar Dussehra?

Maa Danteshwari, the goddess of Bastar, along with many local deities of the forest villages.

Is Ravana burnt in Bastar Dussehra?

No. Bastar Dussehra honours the goddess Danteshwari and has no Ravana effigy.

What is the Muria Darbar?

A meeting of village heads and the people of Bastar held near the end of the festival, where local needs are discussed.

Where is Bastar Dussehra held?

In Jagdalpur, the main town of the Bastar region in southern Chhattisgarh.

Keep exploring

Related

Coming up next

    All festival wishes

    Donate