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Chhattisgarh News: In Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, where tribal communities make up 70 per cent of the population, a remarkable tradition unfolds each year during the Bhado Jatra festival. This event features a unique court where even deities are put on trial, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of the area.

The Bhangaram Devi temple serves as the venue for this annual event, known as the jan adalat, or "people's court." During the three-day festival, the temple's deity, Bhangaram Devi, presides over trials where gods are accused of failing to meet the needs of the villagers. Animals, particularly hens, act as witnesses in these unusual proceedings.

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Trials and Punishments

Villagers bring forth complaints ranging from poor harvests to persistent illnesses, claiming their prayers have gone unanswered. If a god is found guilty, the punishment can be severe. The deity’s idol, often a wooden totem, is exiled from the temple, sometimes permanently, or until the god proves their worthiness by answering the villagers’ prayers.

Throughout the festival, around 240 villages come together to witness the trials, which also include a communal feast to honour the gods. This practice reinforces the belief that both gods and humans must uphold their responsibilities to each other.

A Chance for Redemption

The trials at Bhangaram Devi Temple are not solely about punishment, they also allow for redemption. If deities rectify their actions and grant the villagers' requests, they can reclaim their place within the temple. Historian Ghanshyam Singh Nag explains, "This tradition highlights the reciprocal relationship between gods and humans."

When the community feels their gods have failed them, due to natural disasters, diseases, or crop failures, they summon the deities for trial. If the gods rectify their behaviour, such as by bringing rain or prosperity, they are welcomed back from exile.

Unique Legal Proceedings

In this divine court, village leaders take on the role of lawyers, while hens serve as witnesses. After each trial, the hens are released, symbolising the conclusion of their testimony. Sentences are pronounced by a village leader, believed to express the wishes of the goddess.

Once punished, the idols are often placed under trees as a form of symbolic imprisonment. Importantly, the decorations on the idols remain untouched, as theft is considered a violation that would invite divine retribution.

A detailed ledger is maintained, documenting each case, including the number of gods tried, their alleged offences and the final judgments. Farsu Salam, a member of the Bhangaram Temple Committee, states, "We keep a register to track everything, from how many gods appeared to how many were punished."

Appeals and Accountability

Unlike traditional legal systems where sentences can be appealed in higher courts, appeals in this divine court must be made directly to Bhangaram Devi. If the exiled gods seek forgiveness and successfully plead their case, their exile can be lifted, allowing them to return to the temple.

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The Temple's History

The tribes of Bastar have a rich pantheon of gods and goddesses, many of whom were once human figures elevated to divine status for their noble deeds. Bhangaram Devi is believed to have arrived in Bastar centuries ago from Warangal, in present-day Telangana, bringing with her the revered figure of "Dr Khan."

Local folklore recounts that Bhangaram Devi asked the local king for land to settle, which was granted near the Keshkal mountains. Dr Khan, who aided the tribals during cholera and smallpox outbreaks, has also gained divine status and is affectionately called "Khan Devta" or "Kaana Doctor." Villagers now offer lemons and eggs to him, alongside other deities at the temple.