MARBAT
The Marbat Festival, usually held in Nagpur, Maharashtra, is famous for its special and lively customs. In this festival, people pay tribute to the Marbat statues, which are believed to protect the city. It holds historical and cultural significance.
What is the Importance of Marbat?
The Marbat Festival, also known as Marbatsaptami, is celebrated on the 7th day of the Bhadrapada month in the Hindu calendar, which normally falls in August or September. The Ganesh Festival, an important festival in Maharashtra, ends on this day.
The word Marbat is made of 2 words "Mar" and "Bat," both of which are used to describe sculptures. The main highlight of the festival is the Marbat statues, made by local artists. The mighty deities shown in these statues are thought to guard the city against negative spirits and energies.
The Kaali (black) Marbat is thought to represent Bhonsla queen Bankabai, who surrendered to the British. People used it to express their anger against her act. The Piwli (yellow) Marbat is believed to symbolize both British rule and diseases like epidemics. Each year, there are also "badgyas" or mascots that represent various problems in society, such as alcoholism, rising prices, and corruption. These themes change every year to reflect current issues.
The Tarhane Teli community makes the Piwli (yellow) Marbat, while shopkeepers near Nehru Putla square make the Kaali (black) Marbat. Eventually, these Marbats are set on fire, marking the end of a process that starts when the Marbats are initially made using only bamboo and paper.
As we witness the magnificent processions, entertaining Marbat matches, and artistic skills of the sculptors, we are reminded of Maharashtra's rich cultural legacy.
On this unofficial Nagpur holiday, you can see people singing and dancing on the streets if you attend a marbat procession. So, What began as a doll parade in the 1880s to oppose the British is now a festival specific to Nagpur.
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