Fairs & Festivals

The tribal fairs and festivals of Madhya Pradesh, are the celebrations of the ethnic life-styles of the colourful tribes of the land.

Among the cultural festivals of Madhya Pradesh, the Khajuraho Festival of Dances and the Tansen Music Festival in Gwalior are poignant celebrations of Indian classical dance and music.

Bastar-Dussehra is celebrated as the day of Rama's victory over king Ravana, or as a day on which the Goddess Kali destroyed the buffalo-demon and liberated the world. And all Hindus of India celebrate this festival on the tenth day after Navratri (September or October). The Bastar Dussehra is a Hindu festival deeply influenced by the local myths and religious beliefs as well as the customs of the tribals of Madhya Pradesh. The Dussehra festival celebration in this state is very unique one, since it is a mixture of Hindu and tribal beliefs. Another important feature of this festival is that an underlying spirit of participation and the people of all cast and creed celebrate it. During the celebrations, along with Danteshwari Mai, representing the Hindu Goddess Durga or Kali, a number of lesser powers and tribal deities, some indigenous and others borrowed from Hinduism, are also worshipped.

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