For an agrarian country like India, farmers play a prime role in all economy. It is after all their efforts and produce that we survive on at the end of the day. And for all farmers, it is their land, farm animals and tools which make them what they are. So to honour the farm animals, the festival of Bendur is celebrated by farmers. Today is an important day for farmers in Maharashtra as they ring in the celebrations of Bendur. The Bendur festival 2019 is being marked on July 15 this year, although the dates differ in different parts of the country. On this day, the farmers decorate their cattle and tend to them like their family members. Followed by the celebrations of Bendur, is another bull festival called the Bail Pola. Pola is a  bull-worshipping celebration celebrated by farmers for the most part in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, Northern part of Telangana.

Significance of Bendur

For a farmer, his cattle animals are very important. However, modern machines and technologies may have evolved, the farmers prefer the traditional method for ploughing the fields. Cattle animals are used to plough and tread through the soil. After the start of the rainy season, the hard work and toil begin immediately. It is a time of maximum labour. The Bendur festival honours the farm animals by decorating the cattle and parading them through the village. The cattle are bathed and their horns are coloured or polished. The celebration is just marking the culture that domesticated animals are part of the family.

Celebrations of Bendur

As mentioned earlier, the festive day celebrates farm animals. Cattle are well-fed and given a rest for a day. As they are paraded through the village, traditional dance and music are also held. The cattle is given a feast and the farmer honour these animals for helping him throughout. Like any festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm, the festival of Bendur also sees an equal fervour from the farmers.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 15, 2019 09:06 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).