Baby elephant born on Ganesh Chaturthi gets traditional 'chhathi' from Chhattisgarh villagers

A baby elephant was born on the Hindu festival of Ganesh Chaturthi in a forest area of Chhattisgarh, according to local reports. Villagers from the nearby settlement gathered to mark the occasion, performing a traditional “chhathi” ceremony – a ritual usually associated with the worship of the sun deity – to welcome the newborn. The celebration included offerings of fruit, flowers and a symbolic bath, reflecting the community’s reverence for wildlife and their belief that the auspicious timing of the birth brings good fortune. Officials from the state forest department were present to ensure the animal’s safety and to monitor its health, noting that such cultural gestures help foster coexistence between humans and forest fauna.