Under the popular museum series ‘Exhibit of the Month’ of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, a traditional object is displayed in the appearance for a whole month. The exhibit for the month of April 2024, Magrohi: A Marriage Pillar is on display in the indoor exhibition building–Veethi Sankul.
The 'exhibit of the month' was inaugurated by Shri Ankur Meshram S.A.S Additional collector Bhopal Madhya Pradesh, on the occasion many dignitaries were present. This object has been composed by Museum Associate Mr Rajesh Gautam.On this occasion, the Director of the Museum, Dr. Amitabh Pandey welcomed Shri Ankur Meshram Additional Collector, Bhopal by giving him a bouquet and honored him by presenting him the logo of the Museum.
About the exhibit displayed in the exhibition, Museum Associate Mr Rajesh Gautam said that the Magrohi is a post used during marriage ceremonies among the Gonds of Madhya Pradesh. It is erected in the courtyard below the marriage mandap, a canopied space where the marriage ceremony is conducted. Gonds are spread over the hill tracts of central India called Gondwana land which has its own important and rich cultural tradition. Magrohi is considered to be a witness of the marriage. It is believed that by performing some rituals the gods and goddess are invited to be the witness of the marriage by residing in Magrohi and with the blessings of these gods and goddesses, the newly married couple will have a happy married life. After the installation of Magrohi in the mandap, it is painted with ochre, turmeric and kumkum.
Marriage is an important institution for any culture. It is believed that all the Gods and Goddesses of the community are invited through Magrohi inside the marriage mandap. Many people from the community contribute in the construction of the marriage mandap and magrohi, in which the important people of the village, through Lagan (a ritual gathering), decides about the Doshi (Gunia/Baiga), Suasa-Suasin, fix the date for installing the mandap, determine the direction for collecting the wood and twigs from the forest for the mandap.
