Narbod Festival

Narbod Festival Celebrated in Balaghat District

The Narbod festival is celebrated with a unique tradition in Balaghat district on the day following the Pola festival. Situated near the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, this district has been observing this festival for generations. Narbod is a social and cultural tradition aimed at driving away negativity, diseases, and evils from villages and towns.

Significance of Narbod Festival
The Narbod festival is based on an ancient belief in which a symbolic effigy of Marbat (Putana) is burned to ward off seasonal diseases and other negative forces from the boundaries of villages and towns. According to folklore, on this day, Lord Krishna killed Putana, leading to the destruction of demonic forces. This festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil.

Special Features and Celebration Process of Narbod in Balaghat
1. Burning of the Marbat Effigy – On this day, people create an effigy of Marbat using bamboo and cloth, parade it through the streets, and then burn it outside the village or town boundaries.
2. Social Unity and Enthusiasm– This festival is filled with joy and excitement, where people visit each other’s homes and participate in traditional hospitality.
3. Symbolic Messages – Every year, the Marbat effigy carries messages highlighting contemporary issues such as pandemics, inflation, and other social evils. Slogans like **’Gheun Ja Ri Narbod… Corona Sang… Mehngai… Khansi Khokhla Le Ja Ri Narbod…’are chanted while burning the effigy.
4. Tradition of Charity and Cooperation – People also follow the tradition of donating to the needy on this day.
5. Festival Resembling Mini Holi – Narbod is also referred to as a mini Holi, as it involves fun, enthusiasm, and occasional playful disputes.
6. Effigy Burning Beyond Boundaries – In urban/Village areas in this tradition by taking the effigy beyond the town/village limits and burning it with great fervor.