In the Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh, the traditional Dev Madai fair was organized, inviting various deities from nearby areas, as well as community leaders such as Dang Dori, Baiga, Sirha, and Gayta priests, to come together for a collective celebration of the fair. During the festival, hundreds of women seeking fertility laid down on their stomachs at the temple of Maa Angarmoti, while members of the Baiga tribe walked over them. This practice is known as Paran.
Belief and Significance of the Ritual It is believed that by participating in this ritual, women can be blessed with children. The women lay on their stomachs, offering lemons, coconuts, and other sacred items as part of the prayer, with the belief that when a Baiga's foot touches them, they will be blessed by Maa Angarmoti with fertility. The practice is deeply rooted in local traditions and is seen as a way for women to seek blessings for motherhood, as they trust that the goddess will fulfill their desires for a child.
Madai Fair Organized After Diwali The Madai fair is held every year on the first Friday after Diwali, an event where the deities from 52 villages participate. According to Jeevrakhan Marai, the president of the Adishakti Maa Angarmoti Trust, Maa Angarmoti is revered as the forest goddess and is considered the clan deity of the Gond community. Hundreds of years ago, she was believed to reside on the banks of the Mahanadi river and in the border areas of the villages of Chhavar, Batrel, Kokri, and Koralma, where the local people would perform rituals to honor her. It was through the priests and devotees of the Gond community that Maa Angarmoti’s service and worship continued.
The tradition of organizing the fair after Diwali has been carried out for centuries and was reinstated at Gangerel after the construction of the dam. The fair is celebrated with reverence and adherence to ancient customs, with the local community participating actively in the rituals.
Women Seeking Blessings Visit the Temple On the day of the fair, childless women gathered in large numbers at the temple of Maa Angarmoti to perform the Paran ritual. Devotees believe that the goddess enters the body of the Sirha and roams the fairground. The day of the Madai is considered the most significant in the area, attracting hundreds of people who come to partake in the sacred rites of the community, which are deeply tied to the tribal traditions.
Women Lying in Reverence, Baigas Moving Forward Over 300 women gathered at the temple that day, asking for blessings for children. The women stood in line holding coconuts, incense, and lemons in their hands as they waited their turn. On the ground, those who were lying on their stomachs were walked over by Baiga men, who performed the ritual. It is said that the Baiga priests, who are believed to be possessed by the goddess, move in a trance-like state, swaying to the rhythm of the drums. As they approached, all the women lying on the ground laid down in reverence, allowing the Baigas to pass over them as they moved toward the temple.
The Belief Behind the 52 Villages and the Goddess's Blessing According to ancient stories, Maa Angarmoti is known as the deity of 52 villages. People from these villages, when facing difficulties, visit her temple to pray, and once their wishes are fulfilled, they perform a special prayer on the Friday following Diwali. Childless women particularly visit the temple, asking the goddess for maternal blessings, and they believe that the goddess blesses them with children.
Historically, when the construction of the Gangrel Dam was announced in 1965, the inhabitants of 52 villages were displaced to make way for the large reservoir. Following the submergence of these villages, in 1974-75, the idol of Maa Angarmoti was relocated by devotees and priests to the village of Khidkitola, using a bullock cart. After discussions among the community leaders, the goddess was eventually re-established on the banks of Gangrel. Since then, the worship and service of Maa Angarmoti have continued in this location.
Modern Developments and Environmental Initiatives Today, facilities for devotees, such as drinking water, toilets, and resting sheds, are provided at the temple site. As Gangrel Dam has become a tourist spot, the area around Maa Angarmoti’s temple has been declared a plastic-free zone to promote environmental consciousness and cleanliness. This initiative is part of efforts to maintain a sustainable and welcoming environment for the thousands of visitors who come to worship and celebrate the annual fair.
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