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Chhattisgarh News: According to Pandit Manoj Shukla of Chhattisgarh, the roots of every Teej-festival and auspicious works of Chhattisgarh are deeply connected with nature. There are no rituals or festivals here that are different from the balance of earth, water, fire, air and sky.
As soon as the wedding season starts in Chhattisgarh, the beauty of traditional customs has once again started appearing in villages and cities. The most important among these traditions is considered to be the practice of Chulmati. Which is not only related to cultural belief but nature based scientific thinking is also hidden behind it. According to Pandit Manoj Shukla of Chhattisgarh, the roots of every Teej-festival and auspicious works of Chhattisgarh are deeply connected with nature. There are no rituals or festivals here that are different from the balance of earth, water, fire, air and sky. For this reason our ancestors have been following these traditions with respect.
Chulmati means soil for stove, in olden times when houses did not have gas cylinders, heaters or modern kitchen facilities. Food was cooked only on earthen stoves. Construction of a new stove was considered very important on an auspicious and sacred occasion like a wedding. This stove was not made from any ordinary clay, but from clay considered very sacred and pure. The tradition of taking this soil is called Chulmati.
A home stove is made from clay
In olden times, the marriage ceremony had to start on the 10th. Exactly seven days before, Chulmati was celebrated with great celebration and pomp. Sister-brother-in-law, uncle-aunt, son-in-law-sister-in-law and other relatives of the family used to go together especially to collect chulmati. This journey was considered a symbol of respect, affection and unity of relationships. Stoves were made in the house from the soil brought back. It used to be installed in an already made stove. Even though today is the era of modern cooking gas and induction. But respect for tradition remains intact. Now this tradition is performed in the evening a day before the marriage. This sacred soil in the stove is used to make traditional dishes like Thethri, Khurmi, Papchi, Khaja, Peediya and Laddus to be offered to the Gods and Goddesses during marriages. Food cooked in this stove brings auspiciousness and prosperity.
Special importance of Chulmati in marriages
This tradition of Chulmati during the wedding season not only keeps the cultural heritage alive but also helps in uniting the family and society. Even in modern times, the respect and faith in the tradition is the same as it was generations ago. The special importance of Chulmati in the marriages of Chhattisgarh is considered equally sacred and inspiring even today.
