A glance at Goncha Festival by B. Bindu- Unexplored Bastar

Goncha Festival – The Chariot and Tupaki Festival

Festivals are the times when we get to celebrate our culture and mythological legacy. Many folklores prevailing in Chhattisgarh give an insight into the rich cultural heritage and the saga of great kings of ancient times. Bastar is widely known for Bastar Dussehra, the longest festival in the world that lasts for 75 days. Bastar Dussehra and chariot procession are interlinked with each other, having no connection to Lord Rama and Ravana.

But Bastar Dussehra is preceded by an obscure festival called Goncha.
Celebrated for over 610 years, Goncha and the chariot procession of Bastar was started by the rulers of the Chalukya dynasty.
Of the 16-wheeled giant chariot, Maharaja Purushottam Dev offered its 4 wheels to Lord Jagannath as homage and returned to Bastar with a 12-wheeled chariot. Out of these 12 wheels, it was again divided into an 8-wheeled chariot and a 4-wheeled chariot. From that time, the ritual of Rath Yatra (chariot procession) during Goncha and Bastar Dussehra at Chhattisgarh got started.

Goncha festival of Bastar is in its original form as in Gundicha festival of Jagannathpuri, Odisha. After Jagannath Puri, the whole tradition like Chandan Jatra, Ansar, Netrothsav, Rathayatra, Amniya is observed in its specific form in Bastar only, in the service of Lord Jagganath. Adorned with brightly colored clothes and beautiful flowers, the 22 idols from Jagannath temple along with the royal family of Bastar are taken in procession in 3 chariots around the town of Jagdalpur.

The longest festival of the world-Bastar Dussehra is also nearing, but you must not miss the opportunity to be a part of Goncha. This year, on 23rd June 2020, the unique festival of chariot procession and Tupki, Goncha is ready to welcome you. Are you ready?? Be a part of the 610 years old tradition of Bastar Goncha.

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