Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday tied ‘jhallar’ made from paddy at his official residence here in line with traditions and rituals of Dhanteras.
During Diwali, the new crop of paddy is ripe and ready for harvesting (Kharif season). The villagers prepare artistic ‘jhallar’ (hangings) by using the ripe paddy from stem (inflorescence), an official communication said.
Decorating the houses with them amounts to thanking Goddess Lakshmi for happiness and prosperity. It is also an invite to the Goddess to grace the house.
As per folk traditions, the Goddess reaches the house through birds, which descend on the courtyard and the doorway to pick out the grains from the hangings.
It is also a way to share the happiness of a good harvest with nature. This tradition of hanging paddy artistic hangings at the courtyard and door of the house is ritually followed across the state. It is known as ‘Pahta’ or ‘Pinjara’.