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Pola is a harvest festival celebrated by farmers all over
Maharashtra. On this day bullocks, which are an
integral part of the agricultural chores and consequently the village
economy, are honoured.
On Pola's Day the farmer wants to show his appreciation to the bull. On
this day the bulls are washed and decorated. Their horns are colourfully
painted. They are not given any work. They are given special food,
worshipped, and taken in procession across the village, accompanied by the
music of drumbeats and lezhim (a musical instrument made of a wooden rod
and an iron chain full of metallic pieces).
Pola brings out an important facet of Hindu culture, which does not look
upon cattle as mere beasts of burden, but treats them with dignity and
gratitude.