Team News Riveting
Raipur, October 25
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel got whipped on the wrist as part of the aged-old tradition that calls for averting evil and bringing prosperity.
Baghel has been following the “sonta prahar” or blow from the whip for years. The tradition is followed during Gaura Gauri festival in Durg district.
The Chief Minister tweeted a video, saying, “Strike of the sonta, following the tradition.” A state government spokesperson said the Chief Minister had been taking part in this ritual every year to pray for the prosperity of the state.
Baghel reached the Janjgiri and Kumhari villages in his home block of Patan in Durg district. He participated in the Gaura Gauri festival, celebrated on the day after Diwali. Goura stands for Lord Shiva and Gauri for Goddess Parvati.
After the puja, Birendra Thakur performed the tradition and whipped the Chief Minister with sonta (whip made up of kush, a grass), who took it for the prosperity and welfare of Chhattisgarh. Earlier, elderly Bharosa Thakur used to conduct the sonta tradition and hit people with a whip as per their wish in Janjgiri. After his death, his son Birendra Thakur has been carrying forward his legacy.
“It gives me immense pleasure to enjoy the tradition and I feel happy to come to the village,” Baghel told the villagers after attending the function.
