Tribal Bhagoriya Festival

Madhya Pradesh is an exotic tribal habitat, in the Central Region of India. Popularly known as the getaways to Khajuraho temples, this historic place on the heart of the Mother India constitutes about 23 % tribes of the total state population. Many of the isolated land in Madhya Pradesh is embellished with the spectacular fairs and festivals. One very unique festival named Bhagoriya is outlined with strange facts and beliefs.

Bhagoriya literary means to elope. This festival is highly celebrated by the Bhils populace in the Jhabua region of the state. The merriment is dedicated to the worship of Bahgoradav(God of dance) and is held one week before the festival of color, Holi. This very popular tribal festival highlights the love, romance and marriage among the tribal folks.

According to the rituals of the festival, Bhil youths indulge themselves in meeting their future spouse. Unmarried men go around, applying color to his loved ones and if the girl reciprocates her sentiment, she applies color in return. Also the mutual exchange of betel leaf declares the loving environment. After this ritualistic permission, both the lovers are allowed to elope into some alien land so as to spend moments together. The marriage then get eventually salmonized and a warm welcome is presented to the newly wed couples.

The Bhagoriya festival, also features the cultural dance programmes, performed according to the rhythm of the drum-beats and thalis. It is also celebrated greatly by the tribes of Chhattisgarh in India.