“Ghotul” culture of tribal life in Baster Chhattisgarh

“Ghotul” culture of tribal life in Baster Chhattisgarh

Ghotul has existed as an institution among Muria Gond tribals of Chhattisgarh in which children ten years onwards learn to socialize and educate themselves about life skills while living together.

The unique system of Ghotul has played a vital role in the development of tribal culture over the years. It has played a significant role in developing awareness or imparting knowledge among members of Muria Gond tribals at early stage of their lives.

The institution promotes mutual understanding between male and female children. As at a tender age of ten years boys and girls become entitled with its membership and social responsibilities. The Ghotul tradition of the Muria tribals points to the equality and unisexuality of primitive humans. In the tribe, young men and women date from the age of ten onwards

The females are known as ‘Motiyaris’ whereas the male workers are known as ‘Chilaks’.

Ghotul has existed as a symbol of tribal’s deep rooted culture.

An interesting fact of Ghotul lies in the development of womenfolk here. Besides participating actively in decision-making process, women are assigned with the administrative task at the Ghotul.Unlike other traditional societies the women are not bound to the hard and fast rule of spouse-selection, arranged marriage.

The system of Ghotul imparts a sense of democracy early in life. In Ghotul, the students share a feeling of friendliness, sympathy and unity among the members. It was through ‘Ghotul’ that all got to know about tradition, dance, games, song and the method of farming. According to some anthropologists, the Ghotul is an ancient institution and some of them describe it as a living university. There are no books or test, yet it teaches one life’s education. Students are teachers here, and teachers are students. It is truly a wonder.

Ghotul is normally located outside the village. A long time before the land grant universities were a norm in the western world, the Adivasis reserved empty tracts of land for educating the young.

The Ghotul building can be as small as a hut or as big as a meeting hall, depending on the village population and leadership. Some have plenty of lighting while others are built small in order to conserve heat. Where there are problem of wildlife attacks, the Ghotuls are built on a raised platform.

In Ghotuls, no distinction is made between love and sex. Everybody is free and behaves responsibly.

Children learn about love at an early age, by watching others. They imitate what they see. Mothers typically teach their daughters about the extent to which they can go at the Ghotuls.

In case of any problem, the Motiyari (girl) tells the elders and they collectively sort out the problem.

 It is very easy to notice the equality of sexes among Chilaks and Motiyaris both grow their hair long, wear combs and jewelry, and adorn themselves with decorations. The Chilaks often outshine the girls in decoration. They wear beads, tusks of boars, feathers and anything colorful that is available, in every imaginable form. The decoration of Motiyaries is limited to their hair, in which they wear combs, mirror, balloons, and even paper fans. They typically have tattoos as permanent decoration on their bodies.

The students at Ghotul consider it their duty to provide entertainment during festive ceremonies. They play music, sing songs and dance. Whenever they have many dancers they form large circles and dance hours on end, in monotonic tones. They do not believe in short dances, and literally dance all night long.

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Baster in C.G

Noise is unheard of here. Only sound of chirping birds, gushing streams, the bountiful waterfalls & drumming sound soothes the ear in Bastar. A visit to this tribal district of Chhattisgarh is surely once in a lifetime experience!

The tribal villages have winding mud roads running through the typical tribal houses made entirely of mud with thatched or red tiled roofs. Each village tends to specialise in a particular kind of handicraft - pottery, bell-metal work or iron-work. The district capital, Jagdalpur is a tiny spot, which most of the urban tourists might be oblivious of. Within a radius of 200 Km from Jagdalpur are forests of Keshkal, princely states of Kawardha and Kanker,kondagaon, Nagarnar and Narayanpur towns.

The tribals are a bit shy, but friendly - they are as curious to see visitors as visitors themselves! Shy they may be but they will extend a warm welcome only if they feel that they are not treated as objects of exhibition.

Gond, Abujmaria, Bisonhorn, Maria, Muria, Halba, Bhatra, Parja and Dhurvaa are the main tribes of Bastar. Each tribe has its own history, social & religious customs and distinct culture of music, food and dress. Dance is an important part of tribal culture in Bastar. There are various forms of tribal dances in Bastar, which include Saila, Suwa and Karma dance. All the forms of these folk dances involve complex footwork and are characterised by their robustness & earthiness.

Besides the tribal experience, this green paradise has many other facets to it.

The tribal country losing oneself in the tribal songs and beating of drums is sure shot way to get away from it all. Bastar simply spells magic.

While the lush green valleys & mountains, bountiful streams & waterfalls make it a traveller’s paradise; the mythological significance adds to the aura of Bastar. In the iconic Indian epic ‘Ramayana’ Sage Valmiki had described this forest region as ‘Dandakaranya’, where Lord Rama is said to have spent about 13 years in exile. The royal tribes, the age-old art forms, the Arcadian lifestyle, the caves, waterfalls and the mythological significance make it a must-have travel experience.

› Places to see in Bastar

Bastar in Chhattisgarh has a plethora of options, from National Parks, to caves, waterfalls, palaces, museums & religious/mythological places; there is no dearth of unique travelling experience. The astounding wilderness and abundant fauna make it the ideal place for nature lovers and wild life enthusiasts. A number of cascading waterfalls further add to the enchanting appeal of Bastar.

› Wildlife spots in Bastar

All the forests in the region abound in rare species of birds & reptiles. Kanger Valley National Park: Declared a National Park in 1982, the park is located 27 Kms from Jagdalpur on the banks of Kholaba river. Wildlife here includes Panther, Tiger, Bear, Snake and many species of Deer. Indravati National Park: This Park derives its name from the Indravati River, the largest & most important river of Bastar. Animals found here include Tiger, Wild Buffalo, Nilgai, Flying Squirrel and Barking Deer among others. Bairamgarh Wildlife Sanctuary: This sanctuary abounds in Chital, considered the most beautiful of the Deer species. They are found roaming in open grasslands as well as dense forests. Bhainsa Darha: 63 Kms from Jagdalpur, this lake (where River Kanger flows into) is spread over nearly four hectares in the thick bamboo forests. Crocodiles and Tortoises add to its glory.

› Cascading Waterfalls in Bastar

The region has abundant waterfalls which range from zig-zag trickles to roaring falls that are comparable to the best in the world. Bastar is known for its famous Chitrakoot falls, one of the most beautiful of all the waterfalls. Smaller waterfalls include Kanger Dhara near Kutumsar, Mandra, Chitradhara, Tamada,khadakghat near kondagaon and Dhoomar. Although smaller, each one surrounded with greenery is a treat to the eye. Chitrakoot Waterfalls: 50 Kms from Jagdalpur is the crescent moon shaped Chitrakoot waterfalls, one of the finest in India. It is often compared with the Niagra falls of the US for its shape & sheer beauty, even though it is smaller. River Indravati plummets down from the Vindhya mountain ranges to form the spectacular waterfall. Tirathgarh Waterfalls: 32 Km from Jagdalpur, Tirathgarh is famous for this waterfall that drops into Mugabahar river. On descending down the steps, a grand view of the falling sheets of water that falls from a height of 50 metres awaits you. A panoramic view of the waterfalls and surrounding forests from the watch tower would entice you to visit again. Mandra Falls: Located 12 Kms away from Jagdalpur, this smaller yet enchanting Mandra Waterfalls leaves the visitor stunned. Chitradhara: 19 Kms away from Jagdalpur in Potanar village of Lohandiguda, lies this small but captivating waterfall. Dhoomar: Bask in the richness and beauty of this perennial waterfall which is truly dramatic especially towards the end of monsoons when the river is at its rampageous best.  Khadakghat: 3 kms away from kondagaon :

› Other places to see in Bastar

Besides the wildlife, the water cascades & caves, the princely states of Kawardha and Kanker, Nagarnar and Narayanpur are also worth visiting. Also it is a great experience to enjoy the tribal dance & music and check out the handicrafts of the region. Other sight-seeing attractions in Baster are: • Deep in the forests of North Bastar, not far from Narayanpur, a tranquil Buddha sits on the site of an ancient monastery. • At Garh Gobrahin near Keshkal stands granite Shivling which is the witness to variety and influence of worship over the years. • Kawardha has a palace and some nearby cultural sites which includes the famous Bhoramdeo temple. • Nagarnar is famous for its terracotta crafts and Narayanpur is known for its bell metal, woodcraft, wrought iron and Bamboo artifacts. • The Ramakrisna Mission centre which takes up the responsibility for the welfare activities for the tribals. • The anthropological museum on the route to Chitrakoot waterfalls, also gives valuable insight into tribal history and culture. There also exists a Jagdalpur palace & museum which showcases the long history of Bastar. • Also to check out are the Danteshwari & Venkateshwara templeand an interpretation centre at Kutumsar, imparts knowledge to visitors about the wild life and forests.

› Getting to Bastar

By Air: Raipur is connected to Nagpur, Delhi, Mumbai & Visakhapatnam. By Rail: Mahoba (64 km) and Harpalpur (94 km). Jhansi (175 km) and Satna (117 km) are the nearest railheads. By Road: Jagdalpur is connected to Vishakapatnam, on a route that passes through virgin forests with breath-taking  valley-views and Raipur which is on the main Howrah-Mumbai line. • NH 6 runs west-east from Nagpur in Maharashtra to Orissa where it branches off to Kolkata and Bhubaneshwar. • NH43 (one of India's best-laid National Highways) runs north-south from Kawardha through Raipur to Jagdalpur and out to Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. The roads in Chhattisgarh are generally very good - wide, clean, smooth and virtually free of traffic. Even the smallest villages are linked. All places of tourist interest are connected by good, motorable roads.

› Important Fairs & Festivals of Bastar

Dusshera: The most famous festival of Chhattisgarh, is celebrated with great fanfare in Bastar region. Dusshera in Bastar is different, as it has nothing to do with the triumphant return of Lord Rama in Ayodhya or defeat of evil Ravana. Bastar Dusshera is devoted entirely to Goddess Danteshwari and celebrated in high spirits by all major tribes of Bastar. Madai Festival: Another famous festival of this region is held in the different villages extending from Mandla to Bastar. Thousands of devotees gather under the shade of a sacred tree to sacrifice a goat to the Mother Goddess and the whole night is spent in dancing, eating and merry making. Bhagoriya Festival: A popular festival among Bhil tribes of the region is dedicated to the god of dance. Bhagoradev, the god of dance is worshipped with young girls and boys dance with each other and express their love.

Konni tourist destination

Konni

Konni, a forested village in the State of Kerala in South India, situated on the bank of the mighty Achencoil River has a long and rich history of man-forest interface. Vast expanse of forests of Western Ghats in the background is crisscrossed by numerous streams and rivulets, which add to the exceptional scenic beauty of the landscape.

The forests, repository of rich biodiversity were constituted in to Konni Reserve Forests and Achencoil Reserve Forests by the Maharaja of Travancore way back in 1897 and 1901 respectively, which are among the oldest reserve forests in the State. 


Tourist Destination Konni

Konni is a small hilly town in the heart of Pathanamthitta district known for its pleasant scenery and eco-tourism locales that draw nature enthusiasts to visit the place. It is a haven for wild elephants and houses a unique elephant training centre. The presence of acres of thick forest with wild animals and nature trails has made Konni emerge as another adventurous tourist spot for safaris and trekking. It is situated 11 km away from the district by road, and 28 km from the nearest railhead, Chengannoor. The lush green and fertile land nourished by the Achenkoil river joining the Pamba is dense in vegetation, which makes it an ideal farm tourism destination too. Konni is more popular as a hub for wild elephants that roam around freely in its vast and dense jungles, and for its huge elephant cages made to train the animals. Travelers have the options of going for exciting jumbo rides through the wild greenery of the jungle and trekking to the hill top from where one can have a bird’s eye view of the amazing valley and landscape. Konni is an important junction on the Muvattupuzha-Punalur route. It is an important center for cash crops like rubber, pepper, coffee and ginger which form the backbone of the agricultural economy of the state. Konni is also a separate assembly constituency forming part of the Lok Sabha constituency in the district of Pathanamthitta. The Konni region, with its verdant greenery and unique topography, is the gateway to the forest bordering the district. One of the two elephant training centres is situated at Konni, the other one is at Kodanad. How to reach By Road Konni is well connected to the district by roadways. There is a bus station located at Konni, 10 km fromPathanamthitta and 16 kilometres from Pathanapuram both of which lie in the same route. The Konni-Chandanapally road connects Konni to the main towns of the district like Adoor and Pandalam. The Konni-Kalleli-Achenkovil road offers easy access to Tenkasi in Tamil Nadu via Achenkoil. This road is also a short cut route to Sabarimala from Tenkasi. By Rail The nearest railhead to Konni is Chengannoor, at a distance of 34 km. Thiruvalla railway station is situated at a distance of 41 km from the place. By Air The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 99 km from Pathanamthitta. The Cochin International Airport is situated about 124 km from Konni. Elephant Training Konni has been popular for taming and training elephants since the 19th century. The cage for training elephants and the adjacent museum of history are prime tourist attractions here. Konni is also part of an ecotourism campaign managedby the Forest Department. It constitutes a committee of officials and local people, and is being run with cooperation from the public. The ‘Elephant Focus’, one of the recent innovative initiatives in elephant welfare and ecotourism in this nature destination has turned Konni into a role model for other similar forest-based animal welfare and ecotourism schemes focused on environment conservation and preservation of wildlife. It is a shelter and museum for elephants where they are treated and trained. Huge wooden cages named ‘Anakkoodu’ have been built to house the elephants where they are taught and trained by mahouts. Each one can accommodate up to 4 pachyderms. It’s a novelty to watch the experienced trainers using their systematic training methods, tame the wild elephants. The huge animals, found wounded or roaming in the forest after getting separated from their herds, are brought to the venue for training. Visitors get a chance to have a close look at these elephants, observe the training pattern and understand a lot about their behaviour, especially that of the calves which are often endearingly mischievous. Some of the names of the elephants trained at the centre include Konniyil Kochayyappan, Ranji Padmanabhan, Priyadarshini and seven-year-old Eva. The last one is the youngest member of the lot and, with its frisky, playful ways, is a favourite among the visitors and staff. Attractions Konni features numerous streams of the panoramic Achenkovil river with its lush green banks, whose tributaries join the Pamba further down. There are two ancient forest shrines at Achenkovil and Aluvamkudi. Palaruvi and Thenmala waterfalls have also caught the tourist’s fancy over the years. Palaruvi, located 16 km from Thenmala towards Shencottah, is set amidst evergreen forests and splashes down from a height of 300 ft. There are facilities for rock-climbing, trekking, boating and cycling in and around these spots. Kumbavuruthy, the beautiful waterfall amidst thick forests, is yet another place of attraction. There is also the Kattathipara in Kokkathodu, which is a few kilometres away from Konni. Kattathipara is particularly attractive with its gigantic rocks and the triple-echo phenomenon. The 1000-year-old temple of Sreemahadevar, one of the biggest in Pathanamthitta district and located at Muringamangalam, nearly half a kilometre from Konni junction, once belonged to the Pandalam royal family.