To mark Diwali, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel embraced cultural traditions to hang ‘Dhaan ki Jhaalar’ (decorative door wall hanging made from ripe paddy earrings) at his official residence on Friday.
In Chhattisgarh, considered the Rice Bowl of India, the paddy harvesting starts from Dussehra. On Diwali, there is a tradition when decorative hangings made from paddy are hung at the doors or in the front part of the house.
This is done across the state. The decorative piece is known as ‘Pahta’ or ‘Pinjara’, an official communication said.
As the new crop is ready, villagers after harvesting take out the paddy’s soft earrings (ripe paddy) and prepare the decorative hangings. This is meant to thank ‘Goddess Lakshmi’ for the good harvest, joy and progress. It is also to invite the Goddess to bless them.
The faith relies on the belief that the Goddess accepts the offerings by arriving in the form of birds which feed on them. Thus, the folk culture is followed to share the festive happiness with nature.