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Art and Culture of Guna

Guna is a culturally rich city which is studded with different types of art forms and cultures. There are people following different religions, faiths and beliefs living under one roof in a secular manner. Guna is culturally inclined and people follow traditions religiously. Guna in Madhya Pradesh has shown gradual progress in terms of economic development with the growth in industrialization and agriculture. The city is dotted with old temples, forts and architectural marvels. Though a laid-back city in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Guna does contribute a lot in terms of industrial development and hence enhances the economy of the state of Madhya Pradesh. Guna has added another milestone with the advent of eco-tourism in Gopi Krishna Sagar Dam in Raghogarh.

Religions of Guna

Culture in Guna
Guna is dominated by tribal communities. Apart from the tribal community, the people of Guna follow different religions. Hinduism is predominantly the most common religion that prevails in the region. The other religions followed in Guna prevail only as a minority. You can find many beautiful temples in and around Guna with a large number of devotees visiting them regularly. Guna is mainly noted for its forts and temples. Temples like Bisbhuji temple, Panchmukhi Hanuman Ashram, Hanuman Tekri and forts like Bajrang-Garh play a very important role in attracting visitors from other states of India. Jainism is also prevalent in the city with a number of devotees making trips to Jaingarh which is one of the most famous Jain temples in the region. One can also find mosques and churches in the city of Guna. The percentage of Hindus in the region is 83% while that of Muslim is about 13% and Jain accounts nearly 2% of the total population. Christians too form part of demographic profile of Guna.

Languages of Guna

Hindi is a common language in the regions of Guna. As Guna is home to tribal communities, the local languages like Gondi and Bhili are also popular. There are some parts of the district speaking Malwi. Hindi is being used in various public activities and government affairs. Though Hindi is the most common language spoken in Guna, the English language has slowly crept in due to modernization. Schools and universities have started teaching English to help students to be at par with other universities in the global arena.

Tribes of Guna

Art and Culture of Guna
The people of Guna lead a slow paced and easy life. Guna is home to a number of tribal communities
like Bhils and Sahariya. Bhils who live in Guna are said to begroup of hunters and warriors. In earlier times these tribes were nomads, mostly living in forests but as years passed these tribes settled down with some occupation to make a living. For their bread and butter they involve themselves in varied activities. Their main occupation is agriculture whereas some others involve themselves in singing and dancing for their livelihood. Some of the tribes have also moved to the city to be in a rewarding profession. They either work in factories or are street hawkers or shopkeepers.


Costumes of Guna

The men of Guna normally wear dhotis with a bandi, a kind of jacket and a head gear. Their clothes are usually colorful and vibrant. The women folk of Guna wear lehenga and choli with an orni or lugra an additional cloth wrapped around their head and shoulders. Also, the female population wears saris. The costumes of the women folk are normally bright and colorful with mostly red and black being the most favored colors.

Folk Dance and Song Forms of Guna

The population of the district of Guna is dominated by tribals. Therefore it is inevitable that folk dance and music will revolve around the beliefs of these tribes. Different forms of music and dance coexist amicably. The tribes have songs for all occasions and instantaneously produce rhythm and music for various rituals. They use items like pots, barks, sticks and animal horns to make music. As there are a number of temples in Guna bhajans and hymns are regularly held and recited in praise of the Lord.

Folk dances in Guna

Just like music, dance in this region is also prominent, varied and unique. Different tribal communities have different sets of folk dance and songs. Lahangi is a special dance of the Saharias which is a tribal population who live in Guna and they follow the tradition of singing a drama song based on the life of Tejaji.

Art and Crafts of Guna

Folk paintings of Guna are prevalent with themes dating back to pre historic times. The paintings also depict the various religions in the region. The tribal population is known for their ornaments made of beads, metals and threads. The other handicrafts involved are bamboo work, wood work, ornament making, metal craft, doll making, textile weaving etc.

Festivals and Fairs of Guna

The yearly calendar of Guna features a few festivals and fairs. The common festivals that are celebrated all over India are also celebrated in Guna with full jest and fervor. They are Diwali, Hoil, Navrathri, Eid and Dusshera etc. The deity of Bisbhuji temple is Durga Devi and hence Durgashtami is very popular and is of great importance. Annual fairs and traditional rites of the Bisbhuji temple are commonly conducted on the auspicious occasions of Durgashtami. Annual fairs mostly take place in the months of March/April and October/November.

Folk cultures in Guna

The fairs are regularly held in the temple premises. This is one of the main events which boost tourism in the city of Guna. The temple mela is done in a very religious and grand manner which lasts for nine days. These are days when most visitors throng the temple. Special puja and abhisek are also performed during the event of Durgashtami. Another famous fair which is held in Guna is the Tejajee Fair held at Bhamawad in Guna.

Though modernization has crept into Guna, the unique traditions and customs which are age old have not diminished. Each community has their own rituals. The culture and traditions are very community specific. Nowadays many of the tribes have started following Hinduism. Though not very exposed to the outside world, the people of Guna are warm and caring and known for their hospitality.


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