Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel took eight lashes on his right arm on Friday as part of a ritual for Govardhan Puja festivities.
As a crowd watched, Baghel (60) held out his right arm as a man gives him eight lashes. The Chief Minister then embraces the man, identified as Birendra Thakur.
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The ritual took place at a village called Janjgiri. Until last year, it was Thakur’s father who did the honours, Baghel told villagers.
“Now Thakur’s son is carrying on this tradition. Our forefathers had these sweet little traditions that are popular and bring us a lot of joy…These rituals in villages are meant for the good of farmers. They also keep us grounded,” the Chief Minister said.
