Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Friday attended Govardhan puja in a village in Durg district and got whipped with a 'sonta' (whip made up of kush, a grass) in line with tradition seeking blessings for the state's prosperity.
During the puja, celebrated a day after Diwali, a person is beaten with the whip with full force on his hands as people believe the practice helps in getting rid of problems and bringing good luck, an official statement said.
“Like every year, Baghel took part in Govardhan puja in Janjgiri village and bore the pain of 'sonta' to uphold the custom,” an officer said.
The Chief Minister highlighted the significance of Govardhan puja during which cows are worshipped.
It is the duty of everyone to preserve the identity of our soil and promote it, he said.
Later, Baghel shared a video on Twitter in which he is seen being hit on his hands with the whip by a man.