WATCH: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel gets ‘whipped’ in public
Govardhan Puja is celebrated on the next day of Diwali, every year to mark the lifting of Govardhan hill by Lord Krishna to protect the residents of Gokul from the wrath of Lord Indra.
FollowChhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Friday was “whipped” in public, but he had no signs of fret as a crowd watched and took videos. He was whipped with 'sonta' (whip made up of kush, a grass) as per tradition, during "Govardhan Puja" festivities and the officials said it’s a ritual to seek blessings for the prosperity of the state.
In a video shared by Bhupesh Baghel on Twitter, he is seen holding out his right arm as a middle-aged man gives him eight lashes with full force even as drums and other instruments play in the background.
The video was recorded in a village in Durg district of Chattisgarh when the Chief Minister took part in the ritual cladded in traditional attire and a green-coloured turban. After eight rounds of whipping, the man finally stops and embraces CM Bhupesh Baghel.
The ritual took place at a village called Janjgiri that Mr Baghel reportedly visits every year. Until last year, it was Birendra Thakur's father who did the honours, Mr Baghel told villagers in a speech, NDTV reported.
"Now Bharosa Thakur's son is carrying on this tradition. Our forefathers had these sweet little traditions that are popular and bring us a lot of joy...These rituals in villages are meant for the good of farmers. They also keep us grounded," the Chief Minister was quoted as saying by NDTV.
Govardhan Puja is celebrated on the next day of Diwali, every year. According to the legend, Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan mountain in his little finger to protect the people of Gokul from the wrath of Indra dev, which protected all the Gokul residents and broke Indra’s pride. Since then, the tradition of celebrating this festival is going on. Since then, the tradition of celebrating this festival is going on.
