WATCH: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel gets whipped on Govardhan Puja - Know why

The day after Diwali is celebrated as Govardhan Puja in many states of the country. People have various rituals to mark this day. 

In Chhattisgarh, as per the tradition, a person is beaten up with the whip with full force on his hands as people believe that the practice helps in getting rid of the problems and bringing good luck.

Like every year, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel participated in the Govardhan Puja festivities in a village in the Durg district and got whipped with 'sonta' (whip made up of kush, a grass) as per the tradition seeking blessings for the prosperity of the state, officials said.

"Like every year, CM Baghel on Friday took part in Govardhan puja in Janjgiri village and bore the pain of sonta (whip) to uphold the custom that has been going on in the state for years for the well-being and prosperity of the people," a state public relations officer said.

Chief Minister Baghel also shared a video on Twitter in which he can be seen being hit on his hands with the whip by a man.

प्रदेश की मंगल कामना और शुभ हेतु आज जंजगिरी में सोटा प्रहार सहने की परंपरा निभाई।

सभी विघ्नों का नाश हो। pic.twitter.com/bHQNFIFzGv

— Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) November 5, 2021

The CM also highlighted the significance of Govardhan puja, during which cows are worshipped and said the festival signifies our gratitude towards govansh. It is the duty of everyone to preserve the identity of our soil and promote it, he added.

(With agency inputs)