Swachh Diwali: No Plastic Jhaalars, Paddy Straw Jhaalars Are Hung Outside Chhattisgarh Homes

As we celebrate Diwali, the triumph of light over darkness, let's also prioritize environmental responsibility. Firecrackers and sparklers pollute the air with harmful substances, worsening the already strained air quality in cities like Delhi. Let's embrace an eco-friendly Diwali by replacing firecrackers with the traditional glow of earthen lamps or diyas. For decorations, adorn your home with the vibrant hues of seasonal flowers and leaves. Create colorful rangolis using natural ingredients like rice powder, turmeric, and flower petals.As we are talking about this here in Chhattisgarh Every festival is celebrated with special care taken of the culture of the state. The culture of Chhattisgarh has its own identity in the entire country. These days, there is a lot of Diwali celebration in the state, and the markets are decorated. Various types of decorative items are also being sold in the markets. But somewhere in them, a glimpse of the culture of Chhattisgarh is visible.In Chhattisgarh, people coming from outside are shocked to see the decoration of paddy fields on Diwali. Half-cooked paddy ears not only add beauty to the parapet of the houses, but behind the tradition of decorating them, the ancient tradition of protection of animals and birds also continues. This skirt will be seen in all the big and small Diwali markets of the state. A large number of villagers come to the Diwali market to sell these fringes.No to plastic, yes to traditional decorative itemsThese days, people often decorate their houses with plastic toran (a decorative door hanging). Every state in the country has different customs and traditions in festivals which are followed by the people. The markets of Chhattisgarh, are filled with decorative items made by paddy straw Toran.In Chhattisgarh, people are flocking to the markets to buy paddy decorations for Diwali. It is a great initiative towards celebrating eco-friendly Diwali this year. The half-cooked paddy torans or paddy straw torans not only give the traditional look to the houses but also keep alive a tradition that has been passed on for ages now. It is an ancient tradition of using paddy straw Jhaalar or torans on the doorstep of their homes as a way of protecting animals and birds. This way the animals and birds can feed on them for their survival. A huge number of villagers from remote rural places have flocked to the markets of Raipur to sell these Jhaalar and torans.