Celebrating Pola Festival 2023: Honoring Bulls and Oxen

It serves as a tribute to the significant role played by bulls and oxen in agriculture and farming activities. Pola typically falls on the Amavasya, the new moon day, usually in the month of September. During this festival, farmers refrain from using their bulls in farming, and it is observed as a school holiday in rural parts of Maharashtra.

Regional variations: Central and Eastern Maharashtra

This festival is predominantly observed by the Maratha community in central and eastern Maharashtra. Similar festivals with different names are celebrated by farmers in other parts of India. In the southern region, it is known as Mattu Pongal, while in the northern and western parts of India, it is referred to as Godhan. In Telangana, a similar festival called Eruvaka Purnima is celebrated on the full moon day.

Festive Preparations of Bulls

In preparation for Pola, bulls are bathed and given massages with oils. They are adorned with shawls, bells, and flowers, and their horns are painted. They also receive new reins and ropes.

These beautifully decorated bulls and oxen are paraded through the village fields, accompanied by music and dancing. The first bull to lead the procession is typically an older one with two wooden frames, known as “makhar,” attached to its horns. This bull is tasked with breaking a toran, a rope made of mango leaves stretched between two posts, and is followed by the rest of the village’s cattle.

Vibrant Celebrations: Decorating homes

Homes in the village are adorned with rangolis and torans above their doors. The festival is celebrated with traditional dishes such as kunbis, poli, and karanji.

Puja thalis containing kumkum, water, and sweets are prepared. When the cattle return from the procession, they are formally welcomed by family members with an earthen lamp filled with ghee for puja and aarti.

Children’s Involvement: Creative activities

On the following day, children engage in decorating wooden bulls with beads and flowers. Marathi people also bring home clay bulls to commemorate this day.

Pola stands as a honored festival that not only pays homage to the invaluable role of bulls and oxen in agriculture but also embodies the rich cultural heritage of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. It is a celebration of tradition, community, and the deep-rooted connection between humans and nature, reminding us of the significance of preserving and passing down these customs to future generations.