Which festival brings out the fusion rich culture of Chhattisgarh and Odisha?

Correct option is B

The correct answer is (b) Bastar Goncha.
· Bastar Goncha is a festival celebrated in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.
· It is notable for its vibrant display of the region's rich tribal culture and traditions.
· The festival coincides with the famous Rath Yatra of Puri in Odisha, symbolizing a cultural connection between the two states.
· During Goncha, participants engage in mock fights using a type of fruit as ammunition, which is reminiscent of the playful and festive spirit seen in other cultural festivals.
· The Bastar Goncha, also known as the Chariot or Gundicha festival, mirrors the grand Rath Yatra of Jagannath Puri.
· In this celebration, 22 idols from the Jagannath Temple in Jagdalpur are paraded through the town in three chariots.
· A unique aspect of this festival is the ceremonial 'Guard of Honour' known as Tupki, given to Lord Jagannath.
Facts to remember:
· The Goncha festival, celebrated after Bastar Dussehra—the longest festival in the world—has its origins traced back to the Chalukya dynasty rulers.
· Maharaja Purushottam Das of Bastar visited Odisha, where the ruler of Odisha gifted him 16 chariots and 360 Aranyak Brahmin families.
· These Brahmins brought several idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.
· Today, 22 of these idols are enshrined in the Jagannath Temple in Jagdalpur.