The Shivratri at Narayanpur was a grand affair.All the local dieties were welcomed with great fanfare and gaeity at the nightlong 'jaatra'.The special feature of the jaatras are the 'angas' that arrive ceremoniously from different villages.
The Anga is made from four bamboos that are placed one across the other like a square. It is carried by bearers who are in a trance.The spirit of the Anga dictates their movement.They move synchroniously and cannot place the Anga down until reaching its predetermined place.
It is said that the when the Anga grows old and a new one needs to be made, the anga appears in the dream of the person who has to craft it.
The Anga has its own house or a room for itself in every village and is decorated with coins, feathers, coloured cloth and brass figurines....

The power of the supernatural is very evident in the people who bear the Anga.How else can we explain their synchronious dance and movement over such long distances they traverse with the Anga on their shoulders.

The drive from Jagdalpur to Dantewada is truly very scenic...a canopy of trees, ....{that are decreasing gradually due to the road construction by the BRO}.

One gets to see glimpses of ancient tradition alive even today..alive, ironically in the totem poles made for the dear departed that are decorated colourfully, depicting elements of their daily life and nature.

A few old pillars have been protected by building shelters around them while others stand mute spectators to the development activities being carried out, that settles as dust on their magnificent figures.....

Change is inevitable.....but, should we let go of our past..?

Bastar is home to the Mariyas, the Muriyas, the Dorlas, the Parjas, the Gadbas and many other native tribes.A pot pourri of different practices, cultures.

Bastar is probably one of the few places where the Ancestor is BUDDHA DEV or GOD.Ancestor worship is very essential before any important event in the community.

Maa Danteshwari is the tutelary Godess of the Royals who once ruled Bastar and is worshipped all over Bastar...as Maa,Maai, Devi.

The tribal world of Bastar is a land of mystery and magic too. Their strong belief in Black magic and spirits illustrates this.They believe that the departed visit them and therefore offer liquour and tobacco to the memorial totem pillars that they erect in their memory..........

Dance and music is their mode of entertainment.Lord Lingo is the diety of music and dance.He is said to play 18 instruments at a time.

People are avid drinkers, mahua, sulfi, laanda or rice beer is very popular.

Weekly markets, cock fights add to the vibrant life in Bastar..

Although violence has now raised its ugly head....for the poor man life goes on.......in quest of a brighter morning.

Where in India would you find the country's biggest waterfall, the most dense forest after the Amazon, the most bio-diverse "hot spot", the world's oldest tribal community, the deepest living cave in the world with the oldest stalactite and stalagmite formations, exotic wildlife including the endangered Asiatic wild buffalo and the rarest of rare species of birds?
The answer is Bastar, Chhattisgarh's best-kept secret. It's where heaven is described as "miles and miles without a forest guard" and hell is "miles and miles without a Mahua tree".
At the centre of it all lies Jagdalpur, the district headquarters of Bastar, 300 km from the State capital of Raipur. A road that is lined, albeit intermittently, with graphic epitaphs of those who are no more. .
A mystical land that beckons one and all...blessed with greenery and rich natural resources, it is home to the 'Koitoor' and their enchanting culture and practices

ABOUT US...

Pungaar...is an attempt to unite all the tribals of Bastar and people who feel for them , under one banner.We hope to revive their dying culture and at the same time keep them in pace with the changing times.

We aim to help them fight exploitation and make their life better, promote their art and strengthen their resolve.

Making them aware of their rich environment and forest reserve, we hope to gain their support in protecting Mother Nature's gift of lush greenery in Bastar.