Surguja's Sarna Puja: Kagori Roti, a Once-a-Year Tradition, Honors Ancestors

• In Chhattisgarh's Surguja district, the Manjhi community celebrates Sarna Puja with unique traditions.
• The central ritual involves offering Kagori Roti, made only once a year, to ancestral gotras.
• Kagori Roti is prepared from soaked and pounded rice flour, then fried in mustard oil.
• After worshiping Mahadev and Sundar Rani, the Baiga (priest) distributes prasad, with Baiga community members partaking first.
• This ancient tradition symbolizes cultural identity, mutual respect, and reverence for ancestors.