Tanhapola — A Nagpur Tradition

At the end of Shravan, Maharashtra celebrates Pola, a festival connected with bulls and farming. The day after Motha Pola is known as Tanhapola — a distinct tradition associated with Nagpur and the city’s Bhonsle period.

Tanhapola is a day when bulls are remembered and honoured for their role in agricultural and everyday life. The tradition is believed to have begun during the time of the Nagpurkar Bhonsles and has continued in different forms over the years.

On this walk, we will explore how Tanhapola began, how it is observed, and what makes it a distinctly Nagpur tradition. We will also visit the local market where the bulls used during Pola are made and decorated, and look at the wooden bulls and other objects associated with the festival.

Along the way, we will learn about the history of Pola in Nagpur, its connection with the city’s Bhonsle past, and the…