Raipur, November 04: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Wednesday participated in the concluding ceremony of the regional Karam Puja Festival 2026 at Bongaon village in the Farsabahar development block of Jashpur district, emphasizing the state’s rich tribal culture and deep-rooted reverence for nature.

Chief Minister Sai performed traditional rituals dedicated to Karam Raja, praying for the state’s peace, prosperity, and well-being. He also paid floral tributes before portraits of Lord Mahadev, Mata Parvati, Chhattisgarh Mahtari, and Dharti Aba Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

The vibrant festival drew over 6,000 members of the Oraon community attired in traditional dress, who performed collective dances around Karam Raja to the rhythmic beats of traditional drums and mandar instruments. Joining the dancers, the Chief Minister stepped in sync with the troupes, encouraging artists and extending festive greetings to the gathering.

Announcing development initiatives for the region, Sai sanctioned ₹50 lakh for a community hall and ₹20 lakh for CC road construction in Bongaon, alongside new akhada and mini-stadium projects in Sahaspur. Addressing the audience, he described the Karam festival as an invaluable heritage reflecting ancestral wisdom, social harmony, and ecological preservation.

Highlighting the state government’s welfare agenda under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Chief Minister noted that agricultural procurement stands at 21 quintals per acre at ₹3,100 per quintal, while landless agricultural labourers receive annual assistance of ₹10,000. He added that anti-naxal operations backed by security forces and local support are ushering in an era of peace and development across Bastar.