Chhattisgarh CM Baghel celebrates "Gaura-Gauri" puja in Durg

Durg (Chhattisgarh) [India], November 13 (ANI): Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday reached Janjgiri in Chhattisgarh's Durg to celebrate the traditional Gaura-Gauri puja.
Marking the occasion, the Chief Minister got his arms whipped as per the ribal tradition. On the festival, it is believed that receiving this whiplash would ward off bad omens.
The tradition is referred to as the 'Sota'. Many people came to see their Chief Minister perform the ritual for the well-being of the people of his state.

"Gaura-Gauri puja' is the symbolic marriage between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Gond tribes perform this puja, during the Diwali festival. On the day they first go to river bank to collect clay in the afternoon and then same night they make Gaura (Lord Shiva) in one house and Gauri (Parvati) in other house. They take the whole night to make these Gaura-Gauri. Then the symbolic marriage between Gaura-Gauri takes place.
Speaking to the media, CM Baghel said that the "beautiful tradition" is celebrated for everyone's prosperity.
"There is a ritual of 'Gaura Guari' in our Chhattisgarh. The whole night, 'Gaura Gauri' is being made and in the morning, people worship them. In front of 'Gaura Gauri', everyone is equal.
"I believe that the occasion represents equality and that's why this is celebrated as everyone is equal before the almighty, he added.
The state of Chhhatisgarh is one of the five states that are going to the polls this month. Chhattisgarh is voting in two phases with the first phase of 20 seats concluding on November 7. The remaining 70 seats will go for polling on November 17. The counting of votes will be done on December 3. (ANI)