Ghar Wapsi in Chhattisgarh: Dozens Reclaim Sanatan Dharma in Bastar and Kanker Ceremonies

In Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, community members participated in two distinct Ghar Wapsi ceremonies where they formally reaffirmed their ties to Sanatan Dharma, the traditional Hindu faith. These events took place on January 5, 2026, in Jagdalpur town and a rural area of Kanker district, drawing participation from families who had previously embraced Christianity but later chose to return to their ancestral religious roots. 

In Jagdalpur’s Vijay Ward, eleven people from three families conducted a ceremonial return to Sanatan Dharma at a local temple. The ceremony included traditional rituals performed by community members, and the returnees were warmly welcomed by Hindu activists. As part of the event, the participants were given saffron cloth and copies of the Srimad Bhagwad Gita, a sacred Hindu scripture. Devotional chants, including calls of Jai Maa Danteshwari, echoed through the venue, underscoring the emotional resonance of the occasion. 

Those who took part in the ceremony explained that they had embraced Christianity roughly two decades ago but now felt a strong desire to reconnect with the religious traditions of their forebears. They expressed happiness and commitment to remain within the Sanatan fold going forward. 

In Kanker district, a similar gathering saw 22 individuals from seven families formally rejoining Sanatan Dharma near the Shitala Mata temple in the Bade Tewda area. These families had also previously practiced Christianity before deciding to reconnect with their original faith. 

Community leaders reported that around 60 individuals, including church leaders, have now embraced Sanatan Dharma in Kanker following recent tensions surrounding religious conversion activities and controversies over burial practices for converted individuals. These developments reflect ongoing debates in the region over religious identity and cultural heritage. 

Chhattisgarh’s tribal areas, particularly in Bastar and Surguja, have long been the focus of discussions and disputes related to conversions and cultural preservation, with various community groups and activists playing active roles in promoting heritage and identity.