Pola | |
---|---|
Status | Active |
Date(s) | September |
Frequency | Yearly |
Location(s) | Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh,Madhya Pradesh |
Country | India |
Participants | Bulls, farmers and their families. |
Area | Rural Maharashtra Madhya Pradesh |
Activity | Washing of bulls, colour their horns, change old ropes tie new one, tie new bells, decorate them |
Members | Family of farmers |
Pola is a thanksgiving festival celebrated by farmers in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, to acknowledge the importance of bulls and oxen, who are a crucial part of agriculture and farming activities. It falls on the day of the Pithori Amavasya (the new moon day) in the month of Shraavana (usually in August).[1] During Pola, farmers don't work their bulls in the farmland, and the day is a school holiday in the rural parts of Maharashtra.[2]
The festival is found among Marathas in central and eastern Maharashtra.[3] A similar festival is observed by Farmers in other parts of India, and is called Mattu Pongal in south and Godhan in north and west India.[4]
In Telangana, a similar festival is celebrated on full moon day and is called Eruvaka Purnima[5]