CHHADI MAHOTSAV

Chhadi festival in Bharuch is celebrated for more than two and a half centuries. Bharuch is a famous city of Gujarat State (India) situated on the banks of river Narmada and located about 70kms from Vadodara. Chhadi festival is celebrated every year in the temple of Ghogharao Maharaj located in Bhoiwad, Kharwawad and Lalbazar Harijan Vas. Also known as Stick Festival, stick weighing 150 kg and around 30 to 40 feet tall stick is swung in different ways by Bhoi Samaj. It is similar to the symbol of mother and child. The Mohotsav is usually celebrated by Chhadidars of Bhoi samaj. Youths from the Bhoi, Kharwa and Valmiki communities are trained to be known as chhadars. Youths with sticks of different weights , dressed in traditional and special costumes, are swung with sticks. The stick is placed by them on the palm of the hand, waist, forehead, shoulder and teeth. The youth of the Bhoi, Kharwa and Valmiki communities swing the stick with a sash on their waist and a feta on their head. As they had the honor of giving milk to those who had the honor to drink, the devout women took milk according to their faith and swung sticks to give the youth drink. The god of the stick festival is called Ghogharao. And the festival is worshiped in the temple of Gunga Chauhan also known as Ghogarao Temple . The one and only temple of Ghogharao Maharaj, symbol of the rod, is located at Bhoiwad in Soneri Mahal area of the city. The festival of Ghogharao is celebrated during the period Satam to Nom as per the Hindu Calendar. Upon worshipping the idol of Megharaja, the idol shall be immersed in the holy waters of Narmada Maiya. Such scenes will be seen only in one place in entire Gujarat and it is splendid to participate.