COMPARATIVE STUDY ON FAMOUS

RELIGIOUS PLACES AND RELIGIOUS

PRACTICES OF GUJRAT AND
CHHATTISGARH

MADE BY-SHREYANSH SHANDILYA

CLASS- 10
SECTION- I2
SUBJECT- ENGLISH
 CHHATTISGARH
• FAMOUS RELIGIOUS PLACES
MAA BAMLESHWARI DEVI, DONGARGARH
DANTESHWARI TEMPLE, DANTEWADA
CHANDRAHASINI DEVI TEMPLE, JANJGIR
JATMAI GHATARANI, RAIPUR
MAHAMAYA TEMPLE, BILASPUR
Danteshwari Temple, Dantewada
• Danteshwari Temple represents one of the 52
Shakti shrines from around the country.
Dedicated to Goddess Danteshwari, the
temple was constructed by Chalukyas of the
South in the mid 14th century. Situated about
80 km from Jagdalpur tehsil, the temple is
found in the Dantewada town. The temple
gets its name Dantewada from the then
presiding deity during the times of Kakatiya
rulers. It is believed that she was the family
goddess of Bastar state. There is also a
mythological story associated with this
temple.
Jatmai Ghatarani, Raipur
• Jatmai Ghatarani Temple is situated about 85
km from Raipur in the Chhattisgarh’s South East
Highlands. Ghatarani and Jatmai are 2 distinct
places with a waterfall that lies just adjacent to
this temple. This temple in Chhattisgarh is
nothing less than a heaven. The waterfall here is
one of the most frequented tourist attraction.
• The temple is open all round the year however,
if you wish to enjoy the beauty of the waterfall
too, the best time to make a visit is immediately
after the rains i.e. from the months of September
to December. This is the time span when these
waterfalls will have ample water and forests look
green and dense. It is best to avoid making a visit
during the monsoon.
Chandrahasini Devi Temple, Janjgir
• Another significantly prominent
temple in Chhattisgarh is the
Chandrahasini Devi Temple. Dedicated
to the Goddess Devi Maa
Chandrahasini, the temple is located on
the banks of River Mahanadi. Situated
in the Janjgir district of the state of
Chhattisgarh, the Chandrahasini Devi
Temple is a prominent tourist attraction
for the tourists exploring the state or
the places nearby Raigarh.
Mahamaya Temple, Bilaspur
• Mahamaya Temple has been in
existence since 12th century. Dedicated
to dual Goddess Saraswati and Lakshmi,
the temple sports Nagara style of
architecture. Nestled along the Bilaspur
Ambikapur state highway, the temple is
located in Ratanpur and is one of the 52
Shakti Peethas spread across the country.
• Vivid architecture and the chance to
honour your deity make this a must visit
temple in Chhattisgarh.
Maa Bamleshwari Devi, Dongargarh
• Maa Bamleshwari Devi Temple is
situated at Dongargarh. Located in the
Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon district,
the temple lies at a hilltop of 1600 feet.
Predominantly known as the Badi
Bambleshwari temple, it is one of the
most frequented temples in
Chhattisgarh. The main temple has
another temple situated at ground level
that is known as the Chhotti
Bambleshwari.
 RELIGIOUS PRACTICES OF Chhattisgarh
• LANGUAGE
• CULTURE
• COSTUME
• CUISINES
• FAIR AND FESTIVALS
• DANCE AND MUSIC
• ART AND CRAFTS
LANGUAGE


•Hindi is the official language of the state, while
Chhattisgarhi is mostly spoken and used among people.
Chhattisgarhi is an Eastern Hindi language with heavy
vocabulary and linguistic features from Munda and
Dravidian languages. In ancient times Chhattisgarhi was
also known as Dakshin Kosali and Kosali. The eastern
part of the state mostly speaks Odia, while northeast
Chhattisgarh people speak Nagpuri. Bhojpuri, Marathi,
Telugu, Urdu are also spoken in parts of Chhattisgarh.
CULTURE
 • The cultural life of Chhattisgarh is a mixture of various forms of tribal dances, folk songs, traditional art and
crafts, regional festivals, and fairs. The tribal people preserve their rich culture modestly and religiously. People
of Chhattisgarh are simple and they follow their traditional customs and beliefs.
 • Chhattisgarh has been home to many tribals. Even this state has been home to the oldest tribal community of
India and it is believed that the ancient tribals were living in Bastar for more than 10000 years. Later, after some
time, the Aryans took possession of the Indian mainland.
 • The main tribal community of Chhattisgarh state includes Bhujia Korba – Korwa, Bastar – Gond, Abizmaria,
Bisonhorn Maria, Muria, Halba, Bhatra, Parja, Dhurva Dantewara – Muria, Dandami Mariya alias Gond, Dorla,
Halba Korea – Kol, Gond, Savra, Gond, Rajgond, Kavar, Bhayana , Binjwar, Dhanwar Bilaspur and Raipur –
Parghi, Savra, Manji, Bhayana Garibandh, Mainpur, Dhura, Dhamtari – Kamar Surguja and Jashpur – Munda.
 • The state hosts many religious sects such as Satnami Panth, Kabirpanth, Ramnami Samaj, and others. Lord
Rama along with his wife Sita, has lived in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh for more than 10 years of their 14
years of exile. The Odia culture is prominent in the eastern parts of Chhattisgarh bordering Odisha.
 • Hinduism is the main religion while you can find a significant population of Islam and Buddhism. The state
follows its own tribal customs and beliefs. Satnami, Kabirpanth, and Ramnami Samaj are few religious sects you
can find in the state.
COSTUME
 • Chhattisgarh has several tribal and ethnic groups, who have their creative and unique take on
fabrics, apparels, and their clothing style. The women love to flaunt their tribal designs in their
traditional as well as modern wear.
 • Women of Chhattisgarh wear a sari known as ‘Lugda’ in kachhora style along with the blouse
which is known as ‘Polkha’. The saree of women is knee-length or full length. Lugda is made up of
linen silk or cotton and their sarees usually are die with vibrant colors. They have loud fabrics, metal
jewelry, silver ghunghrus, and wooden bangles which make tribal women more lively and colorful.
Tie and Dye is a common technique to make fabrics and is commonly known as Batik. Maheshwari
sarees, Chanderi silk sarees, Odisha silk sarees, batik sarees, etc can be seen among tribal women.
 • Tribal men wear dhotis made of cotton, jute, or linen, with sleeveless jackets and headgear of
cotton turbans for protection from harsh sun during the day. The urban areas of Chhattisgarh men
prefer shirts and pants, while females wear suits and salwar and sarees.
 • During their festivals, you can witness their wonderful display of costumes with peacock feathers,
bright headgears, chunky ornaments made of wood, metal, etc. Hence the costume of Chhattisgarh is
what rural and tribal groups wear making them more rich, beautiful, and inimitable.
CUISINES
 • Chhattisgarh is known as “Rice Bowl of India” so rice is heavily consumed in their food. While
their staple food includes Wheat, Millets, Rice flour, High Protein Lentils, Bajra, Maize, and
Jawar. Their cuisines are influenced by neighboring states.
 • Chila is a flatbread prepared with the rice and urad dal mixture is an important breakfast menu
for people of Chhattisgarh. Iddhar is a traditional dish made with ground Urad dal and kochai
patta. People love to eat Baasi here, it is leftover rice dipped in water and curd and eaten with
chutney.
 • The typical Chhattisgarhi thali consists of roti, bhat, dal or kadhi, curry, chutney, and bhaji. Few
Chhattisgarhi dishes are Aamat, Bafauri, Bhajia, Chousela, Dubkikadhi, Farra, Khurmi, Moong
Bara, Thethari, and Muthia. Among the sweets gulgula (bobra), bidiya, dhoodhfara, bafauli, kusli,
balooshahi, singhara, tikhur ,anarsa, and khurmi fall are eaten.
 • Among the drinks, a brew made of small, creamy white fruit of a local tree known as ‘mahuwa’
is quite popular, and in great demand in the state.
FAIR AND FESTIVALS
 The culture of Chhattisgarh is based on the celebration of some festivals, apart from the main festival like
Deepawali Holi, Durga puja they have their own unique tribal celebrations.
 • The main festivals at Chhattisgarh are Hareli festival, Bhagoria Festival, Bhoramdeo Festival, Fagun Wadai,
Pola Festival, and Teeja Festival. Dusshera is the most popular celebration of Chhattisgarh especially Bastar
Dusshera. Dusshera in Bastar is entirely not quite the same as the Dusshera of North India. Bastar Dusshera is
committed totally to goddess Danteshwari and celebrated with awesome joy by every real tribe of Bastar.
 • Madai Festival is another well-known celebration of Bastar locale held in the diverse towns stretching out
from Mandla to Bastar. Bhagoriya Festival is a well-known celebration among Bhil tribes of the locale and
Bhagoradev or the lord of the move is venerated on this event. Kajari Festival is another critical celebration of
Chhattisgarh district, which falls around the same time as Raksha Bandhan that is on the Shravan Purnima.
 • Moreover, there are numerous celebrations in Chhattisgarh, which are identified with farming. Hariyali, Kora,
Navakhani, and Cherta Festivals are the most essential rural celebrations of Chhattisgarh.
 • Besides these festivals there are numerous fairs held in various places of Chhattisgarh like Rajim Lochan
Mahotsav, Bhoramdeo Mahotsav, Chakradhar Festival, Goncha Festival, Narayanpur Mela and Sheorinarayan
Fair are most delighted fairs of the state.
DANCE AND MUSIC
 • Chhattisgarh is an amalgamation of various tribes and each has its own dance forms. Most of
the folk dances of Chhattisgarh are performed as a part of rituals in reverence to Gods and
changing seasons. Each dance forms have special costumes and accessories and is perfect
synchronization which will leave you mesmerized Some of the popular dance forms are Saila
Dance which is a stick dance and performed during harvest season. It is famous among the
people of Sarguja, Chhindwara, and Baitul districts. Karma is a fold dance performed during the
autumnal festival and is performed by tribal groups like Gonds, Baigas, and Oraons. Sua Nacha
or Suwa Folk dance is a parrot dance performed during the occasion of Goura Marriage, a month
in advance of the festival Diwali. Raut Nacha is celebrated after Diwali and the cowherds of
Chhattisgarh are the main artist of the dance. Panthi dance is performed by the Satnami
community of Chhattisgarh
ART AND CRAFT
 • Chhattisgarh is renowned for rich metal crafts and other handicrafts made of bamboo and wood.
Folk painting and folk jewelry of Chhattisgarh are very popular. The painting depicts the living
style of the tribal people of which Fork Art Painting and Pithora paintings are very popular.
 • Tribal men and women of Chattisgarh wear traditional folk ornaments made out of beads, which
seems quite interesting. Overall, Bamboo work, Woodcarving, Fork Art Paintings, and folk
Jewelry are the primary forms of handicrafts in Chattisgarh.
 GUJRAT

FAMOUS RELIGIOUS PLACES
1. Somnath Temple
2. Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwarka
3. Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple
4. Bala Hanuman Mandir
5. Rukmini Holy Place, Dwarka
Somnath Temple
• One of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord
Shiva, the fabulous Somnath temple is
known to be among the most beautiful
temples in Gujarat that exist from ancient
times. It is said that the temple was
originally built by the Moon God in gold,
rebuilt by Ravana in silver and then by
Lord Krishna in wood and then King
Bhimdev in rock. The temple was
terribly damaged and also looted of its
treasures by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1024
AD. The temple was raided at several
occasions in 1706, 1927 and 1934.
Rukmini Holy Place, Dwarka
• Dedicated to Goddess Rukmini, the comsort
of Lord Krishna, Rukmini Devi Temple is a
small holy place, which is rather prominent
for its attractive carvings as well as 2 of its
splendidly-designed panels. On one panel,
there are Naratharas or human sculptures as
well as the various other one have Gajatharas
or elephants on the base. The inner sanctum
of the temple has the idol of the Goddess
along with the Lord. It is said that the temple
was constructed around 12th century. The
wall surfaces of Rukmini temple are adorned
with magnificent paints, illustrating different
occasions of Siren Rukmini with the Lord. It
is around 1.5 kilometers northwards of the
town.
Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple
• One of the biggest temples in Gujarat, the
Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar is
managed by the flourishing Hindu
Swaminarayan Group. Spread in 23 acres of
manicured yards, this significant temple was
constructed by around 1000 craftsmen. The
complex was made from 6000 statistics tons
of pink sandstone and also is recognized to
be the residence of Lord Swaminarayan.
Among the prime highlights of the temple is
a 45-minute water show, which is arranged
after sunset. Spend a day exploring this
wonder…
Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwarka
• Also known as Jagat Mandir
or Trilok Sundar Mandir,
Dwarkadhish temple is a part
of the revered Chardham yatra
in Hinduism. Dedicated to
Lord Dwarkadhish (a kind of
Lord Krishna), the temple is
over 2500 years of ages as
well as draws in devotees from
all across the globe.
Bala Hanuman Mandir
• Positioned on the southeastern side of
the Ranmal Lake, Bala Hanuman Holy
place is devoted to Lord Hanuman as
well as is gone to by his fans every year
in massive numbers. The temple and its
surroundings bustle with task throughout
the early evenings. Actually, the holy
place features in the Guinness Book of
Globe Records as a result of constant
incantation of the prayer ‘Shri Ram, Jai
Ram, Jai Ram’ from 1st August, 1964.
The temple was developed by Prem
Bhikshuji in 1963-64.
 RELIGIOUS PRACTICES OF GUJRAT
• LANGUAGE
• CULTURE AND ART
• COSTUME
• CUISINES
• FAIR AND FESTIVALS
• DANCE AND MUSIC
LANGUAGE
• Although Gujarati is the mother tongue of the natives of Gujarat, many
other languages are widely spoken throughout the state. Gujarati is an Indo-
Aryan language derived from Sanskrit and is the 26th most widely used
language in the world. Gujarati has about 11 different dialects, spoken in
various parts of the state.
• Since the state of Gujarat shares its border with Maharashtra, Madhya
Pradesh and Rajasthan; a small section of its population speak the native
languages of the neighbouring states, namely Marwari, Marathi, Hindi
along with Urdu and Sindhi.
• The natives of Kutch-a semi-arid region in Gujarat-speaks Kachchi
language, which is quite an important language of the area.
CULTURE AND ART
 • The vast array of handcrafted products displaying intricate Gujarati art forms are not only
popular in our country, but are a well-known entity all across the globe. These products include
furniture, jewellery, embroidered garments, leatherwork, metalwork, baked clay articles and
mirror work. Gujarat serves as the producer of some of the most creative and elegant furnishings
that include bedcovers, quilts, cushion covers and table mats. Intricate dainty patterns are woven
on the patola sarees with high precision. The traditional art forms of the state play a significant
role in preserving its rich heritage.
COSTUME
• Patola Silk or popularly known as 'Queen of all silks' forms a major part of traditional Gujarati
attire. Gujarati brides are adorned with silk and zari woven sarees of Gharchola and Panetar.
• The traditional attires often incorporate tiedye or traditional block prints.
• The region of Kutch has a distinctive traditional outfit adorned by women known as Abhas. Chania
Cholis are a popular choice of outfit during the festive season of Navratri Mahotsav.
• Men also wear unique attire known as Kediya dress during the Navratri season.
• A prevalent Gujarati trend is the silver Pachchikam jewellery that originated in Kutch.
CUISINES
• A traditional and authentic Gujarati meal consists of dal, roti, rice, vegetables, salad, chaas, farsan
followed by a sweet dish. Gujarati cuisine is quite similar to that of Maharashtra, and most of the
Gujaratis are vegetarian. Some of the famous Gujarati delicacies include dhokla, fafda, khandvi, dhal
Dhokli, Undhiyu, handvo, Ganthia, dal Wada, khakhra, and Thepla.
 In Gujarati dishes, the flavors are a blend of sweet, spicy and sour tastes. Each region of the state
has a distinctive flavor associated with its local food. A typical Gujarati dinner includes bhakri-
shak or khichdi-kadhi. The Gujaratis are noted for their sweet tongue, and hence every meal is
followed by a sweet dish or sometimes even jaggery
FAIR AND FESTIVALS
• The fairs and festivals of Gujarat showcase the real
vibrancy and colours of its diverse culture. Thousands
of people flock to Gujarat to witness the extravaganza
during festivals like Navratri Mahotsav, Deepawali,
Rathyatra and Kite festival. There are some fairs as well
that are organized in the state every year,
namelyShamlaji Melo, Bhadra Purnima Fair, and
Mahadev Fair. The Rann Utsav is a major festival and
witnesses an exquisite carnival of music, dance and
natural beauty
DANCE AND MUSIC
• Since Gujarati people are quite enthusiastic and amiable, they have many traditional forms of dance.
The four major forms of dance are Dandiya Raas, Garba, Padhar, and Garbi. Dandiya Raas is
performed by both men and women and utilizes the movement of bamboo sticks, known as Dandiyas.
It has ancient roots and was believed to be played by the beloved Gopis of Lord Krishna.
• Garba is usually performed by the females in a circular formation. It is performed with reverence of
the feminine form of the divinity.
• Garbi is traditionally performed by only the men and incorporates the use of instruments like dhol
and manjiras.
• Padhar is mainly performed by the rural communities near Nal Lake
• The folk music of Gujarat is known as Sugam Sangeet and has acclaimed worldwide fame. The
range of musical instruments utilized in Gujarati folk music includes turi, manjira, ektaro, jantar, zanz
pot drum, prabhati, dhol and ravan hattho. Bhajans are also incorporated in their folk songs. Bardic
tradition is another major type of folk Gujarati music.