Chhattisgarh
Gonds who call themselves 'Koytoria' ,the largest group in the state in terms of population .Though Gonds can be found almost in all the districts of the state , there are two important concentration regions .The first is the central Madhya Pradesh and the other region is the southern part of the Chhattisgarh state - ie Bastar Division.
More than 20 % of the Gonds in Chhattisgarh state are in Bastar district.In Bastar the three main subcastes of Gonds are Maria , Muria , and Dorla.
The name Gond is extracted from the Telugu word 'Konda' which means hill. Agriculture, collecting minor forest produce ,forging metal goods in cottage industries , fishing,hunting,other primary sector activities are the main activities of Gonds.
Marriages are preferred within the blood relations mostly according to Hindu rites and customs.Sometimes mock elopements are also arranged.
Gonds have pro-fertility mentality. Divorces ,remarriages ,widow marriages , marriages with the wives of the brothers and between brothers and sisters are common.
In the event of the death of the husband the widow can marry the younger brother and in all cases he need not be unmarried.She also can marry the elder brother of the deceased husband or anyone else.
Dowary system is also existing among them- But the groom has to pay bridal price to the father of the girl and this system gives respect to women and held their position on top.
How to get there
By Air : Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, is the only place in the state that is linked by air to New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Nagpur (Maharashtra) by regular flights.
By Train : Certainly the best way to get to Chhattisgarh from anywhere in India is by the enormous network of Indian Railways. Raipur ,Bilaspur & Jagdalpur are the main junctions.
By Road : Happily situated in the middle of the Indian subcontinent, Chhattisgarh is fortunate to be well connected by road to its neighbouring states as well as the important cities of the region. Inter-state and national highways connect Raipur to Bhopal, Nagpur, Jhansi, Jabalpur and to cities further afield like Kolkata and Bhubhaneshwar.
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