Pola

Pola is a rural festival celebrated mainly in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, India, as a day of gratitude for bulls and oxen, essential partners in farming. Marked on the new moon of Shraavana (usually August or September), it brings villages together in colourful processions, rituals, and family gatherings.

• Bulls are washed, oiled, and decorated with shawls and flowers.
• A procession of cattle parades through the village with music and dancing.
• Homes are decorated with rangolis and mango-leaf torans.
• Children decorate wooden bulls the day after the main festival.
• Special sweets are shared among families in Chhattisgarh.

What it is

Pola is a heartfelt festival for farming communities, especially in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, where bulls and oxen are central to daily agricultural work. On this day, farmers pause their labour to honour these animals, recognising their strength and partnership in the fields. The festival is a time for families to come together, decorate their homes, and express gratitude for the animals that sustain their livelihood. It is not only a celebration of animals but also a reflection of the deep bond between people and the land they cultivate.

Where it comes from

The origins of Pola are rooted in the agricultural traditions of central India, where animal power has long been essential for ploughing fields and transporting goods. The festival is observed by Maratha communities and has parallels in other Indian regions, such as Mattu Pongal in the south and Godhan in the north and west. While the exact beginnings are not detailed, Pola's rituals and customs have been passed down through generations, reflecting the enduring respect for working animals in rural society.

How it is celebrated

Preparations for Pola begin with washing and oiling the bulls, followed by decorating them with colourful shawls, bells, flowers, and painted horns. New ropes and reins are tied, and the animals are led in a lively procession through the village, accompanied by music and dancing. The first bullock, often an older one with a wooden frame (makhar) on its horns, breaks a mango-leaf toran to start the parade. Homes are adorned with rangolis and torans, and families prepare puja thalis with kumkum, water, and sweets. When the cattle return, they are welcomed with aarti and an earthen lamp. The next day, children join in by decorating wooden bulls with beads and flowers. In Chhattisgarh, special homemade sweets are shared among families.

Joining in

Visitors can witness Pola in rural areas of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh, where the main celebrations take place in village fields and streets. Expect to see vibrant processions of decorated cattle, traditional music, and families gathering for rituals and feasts. The atmosphere is welcoming, with villagers eager to share their customs and the significance of the day. As a guest, observing the respect shown to the animals and the joy in the community offers a unique glimpse into rural Indian life.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Pola (festival), whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Pola (festival) on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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