Jagdalpur: A special religious and social event held in Chidpal Gram Panchayat, within the Darbha development block of Bastar, witnessed an emotional moment when seven members of a single family voluntarily announced their decision to leave Christianity and return to the Sanatan faith and their traditional socio-cultural customs after nearly a decade. The Bastar District Yadav Samaj warmly welcomed the family, describing the event as a ‘Ghar Wapsi’ (homecoming). The family members expressed a sense of spiritual peace and contentment upon returning to their original culture, values and traditions.
The family members returning to the Sanatan faith include Chaituram Yadav, Kamlu Ram Yadav, Chamrin Yadav, Kachri Yadav, Aradhana Yadav, Virendra Yadav, and Surendra Yadav. According to office-bearers of the Yadav Samaj, the family had been practicing Christianity for approximately ten years before deciding, of their own volition, to embrace the Sanatan faith once again.
During the religious ceremony held on this occasion, a ‘Havan-Pujan’ and a purification rite were performed amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras. Religious leaders led the chanting of the Gayatri Mantra and introduced the family to the religious and spiritual aspects of Sanatan Hindu traditions through recitations from the Bhagavad Gita. The event also featured discussions on the significance of the Yadav community’s traditional culture, social customs and ancestral practices.
‘Choice of faith is an individual’s personal decision’
Lachhin Yadav (Patron), Sukman Yadav (District President), Raghuvansh Yadav (Vice President) and Lakhiram Yadav (Secretary) of the Bastar District Yadav Samaj jointly stated that the decision regarding one’s faith rests entirely on the individual’s own will. They affirmed that the community would welcome, with respect and cooperation, any family wishing to return to their traditional religious and social customs.
According to the community’s office-bearers, a family’s return to its traditions is not merely a matter of religious identity but is also deeply connected to social and cultural ties. With this sentiment, the Yadav Samaj welcomed the family members and warmly integrated them into the community’s mainstream.
Event held in the presence of villagers
On this occasion, a large number of villagers from various communities, alongside members of the Yadav community, were present. Many villagers, including Bhagirathi Yadav, Parvesh Yadav, Santosh Yadav, Bawadu Yadav, Tularam Yadav, Ramdhar Yadav, Sonsay Yadav, Ugrasen Yadav, and Sibo Markam, participated in the event. Local public representatives were also in attendance; Sarpanch Geeta Baghel, Deputy Sarpanch Sukuram Kashyap, former Sarpanch Pilu Ram Kashyap and ‘Mati Pujari’ (traditional village priest) Kurso Ram Maurya, among other village representatives, took part in the proceedings. The presence of a large number of villagers lent a distinct social dimension to the event.
Found spiritual contentment by returning to our culture
Sharing their sentiments on the occasion, members of the family returning to Sanatan Dharma stated that they had long missed their traditional culture, customs and festivals. They expressed that returning to their ancestral traditions had brought them immense spiritual peace and contentment.
Notably, this occasion served as a moment for the family members to reconnect with their ancestral traditions, social identity, and cultural memories. Amidst ‘Havan-Pujan’, the chanting of the Gayatri Mantra, and the recitation of the Gita, the family announced their decision to re-embrace Sanatan traditions. Held in Chidpal, this event highlights issues regarding religious identity, traditional culture and social cohesion within the rural society of Bastar.
The Yadav community affirmed that families returning to their ancestral traditions would be accorded respect and support. For the family, the return of seven members to their traditional faith and socio-cultural customs after nearly a decade was an emotional milestone. The villagers and community members present welcomed this move with warmth and camaraderie. The sense of contentment and spiritual peace expressed by the family members transformed the event into a deeply moving social occasion.
