# Why Bel Puja Holds Deep Significance in Bastar Dussehra and Its Ancient History

> During the Bastar Dussehra festival, twin Bel fruits in Sargipal village are worshipped with strict rituals, rooted in a centuries-old legend.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Chhattisgarh · **Published:** 2026-10-20 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/chhattisgarh/bastara-dashahara-men-nibhai-jati-hai-anokhi-bel-puja-janie-isa-prachina-parnpara-ka-itihasa-49748 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Bastar Dussehra, Sargipal, Maa Danteshwari, Bel Puja, Kamalchandra Bhanjdev

The tribal culture of Bastar features several distinct rituals during its famous Dussehra festival, with the Bel Puja in Sargipal village standing out as a prime example. Located roughly five kilometers away from the main town, an ancient Bel tree naturally produces joined twin fruits. According to regional beliefs, these paired fruits embody the divine energies of Shiva and Shakti. Villagers and priests gather to perform sacred rites on these specific fruits before they are transported for subsequent festival ceremonies.

## A Legend Dating Back Two and a Half Centuries
This long-standing custom traces its origins to a mythological account that is approximately 250 years old. Oral history maintains that a historical ruler of Bastar arrived in the Sargipal area while hunting. During that excursion, Goddess Danteshwari and Goddess Manikeshwari reportedly manifested before the monarch in the form of two young girls. The legend adds that both deities vanished into the earth right beneath this very Bel tree. Ever since that era, the joined Bel fruits have been revered as physical manifestations of the goddesses and brought into the Bastar Dussehra celebrations.

Following the completion of the worship ceremony, the joined Bel fruits are carefully harvested from the tree branches. A vibrant procession featuring traditional musical instruments accompanies the journey as the fruits are transported toward the revered Danteshwari temple in Jagdalpur. Upon arrival, the items are formally installed with proper religious rites at the shrine, where numerous regional deities from surrounding villages gather for communal veneration.

## Insights from Royalty and Temple Priests
Royal family member Kamalchandra Bhanjdev explained that representatives personally identify the paired Bel and arrive to collect it, noting that this custom has been preserved across generations. He added that the joined fruit is regarded as a symbol of immense divine power. Meanwhile, Danteshwari temple head priest Krishna Kumar Padhhi stated that the ritual dates back to the princely era. Padhhi noted that after the worship concludes, the local villagers bid farewell to the paired fruit with the same emotional sentiment given to a daughter departing after her wedding.

## What this means for you
This celebration is tied to the cultural and religious heritage of the Bastar region, influencing local traditions and regional tourism.

- **Across India:** The festival preserves indigenous tribal heritage and ancient cultural practices of the region. It serves as an important point of interest for cultural enthusiasts and researchers nationwide.
- **In Sargipal:** Local residents view this ritual as a vital component of their community identity. The event fosters strong social bonding and vibrant traditional participation throughout the village.

## Why this happened
This tradition is rooted in centuries-old historical beliefs and practices established during the princely era.

- **Historical Legend:** The custom originates from a roughly 250-year-old account involving a royal hunt and divine manifestation.
- **Religious Belief:** Naturally joined Bel fruits are revered as physical representations of Shiva and Shakti.
- **Princely Continuity:** The ritual has been maintained continuously since the era of the local princely state by descendants and priests.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Where is the Bel Puja performed during Bastar Dussehra?
The ritual is conducted near an ancient Bel tree located in Sargipal village of Bastar.

### 2. What do the joined Bel fruits represent?
The naturally joined Bel fruits are regarded as a manifestation of Shiva and Shakti.

### 3. How old is the legend behind this tradition?
The custom is backed by a mythological account that is approximately 250 years old.

### 4. Where are the Bel fruits taken after the worship?
Following the ceremony, the paired Bel is transported to the Danteshwari temple in Jagdalpur.

### 5. Which royal family member participates in this ritual?
Royal family member Kamalchandra Bhanjdev identifies and collects the paired Bel fruit.

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