MeraPahad Community Of Uttarakhand Lovers

Jai Mata Nanda Sunanda..

Sir really very very interesting article on Nanda Devi....

Nanda Devi fair of Almora & Ranikhet



Nanda is considered to be the daughter of Himalaya and Nanda Devi Peak is the residence of Goddess Parvati. Nanda Ghunti is the Sasural and Nandakot is the Darbar of Nanda.  Nanda is worshipped in two forms. One Mahishasur Mardini  and Singh Wahini. She is considered to be the Shakti.  In Kumaon, temples of Nanda Devi are situated in Nainital, Almora,Ranikhet, Ranchoola, Malla Danpur and at many places in Garhwal.  Nanda Devi is considered to be the worshipping deity of Katyuri Kings.  During the period of Chand Kings, Nanda Devi worship took the shape of a Fair.  The Fair started from Junagarh Fort situated in Garhwal.  Kumaon King Raja Baj Bahadur Chand alias Baba Gusain established Nanda Devi Shikti Peeth as a sign of victory in the temple at  Malla Mahal (At present Court).  Prior to this Nanda Devi was being worshipped, but at that time only an idol of Nanda Devi used to be worshipped. The custom to make two idols started from the period of Baj Bahadur Chand. Even today only one idol is prepared in the remote villages.

The Nanda Devi Fair used to be arranged by Chand dynasty Kings sometimes back.  The bull was also slaughters by the King. The last King Raja Anand Singh used to live in Dyori Pokhar.  The heirs of Chand dynasty Kings, K.C.Singh Baba participates in the Fair every year. About the place where Nanda Devi is held at Almora, there is a story that during British period the then Kumaon Commissioner, Mr. Trail lost his eyes during Nanda Kot Yatra.  After reaching Almora, he shifted the Nanda Idol from Malla Mahal to Udyot Chandeshwar Temple and arranged worshipping of the Nanda Devi. With the blessings of Nanda Devi, he got back his eyes, since then the Fair is held from this place.
The present Nanda Devi Mandir was constructed by Chand King Udyot Chand in 1678-1693. Prior to this the temple was named as Udyot Chandeshwar Mandir. After establishment of Nanda Devi in this temple, it was called the Nanda Devi Temple

This fare commences from Bhadrapad Shukla Panchami in September. On the Panchami day the devotees go to invite Banana trees for the celebrations.  Amidst chanting of Ved Mantras, four Banana Trees are selected by the devotees. The tree, which shivers first, is selected to prepare the Nanda Devi idols. Nanda Devi idol is given the shape of Nanda Devi Peak. The second tree is used to prepare the idol of Sunanda. The third and the fourth Banana tree is used as stand bye, because in case the first or the second tree is somewhat damaged, the third or the fourth is substituted at its place. On the seventh day, the four trees are cut and brought with great fan fare amidst the beating of drums, Nagare and Nishan. The idols are prepared from the banana tree. To make the face of the Nanda and Sunanda the cane wood is used.  It is covered with cloth so that it gets the shape of a face.  To give colour to the idol rice in liquid form, Kumkum, Roli, Sindoor, Ingoor and Urad (horse-bean) is burnt to make black colour. The eyes are prepared from Biswar (liquid rice). Now the eyes are prepared from silver as well.

 The idols are decorated with the traditional attire of Kumaoni bride The idol is decorated with Sindoor on the head, Mang Tika, Bindi on the forehead, the eyebrows are decorated with Sun and Moon on the right and left eyebrows respectively, large nose ring (Nath) on the nose, necklace on the neck, Swastika sign on both the cheeks, Kundal on the ears, with Choli and Ghaghara on the body and Payjeb on the feet. 

There is a story that Nanda and Sunanda (Gaura) were the daughters of a King. While walking in the forest a bull chased them. They could hide themselves behind a banana tree.  A goat came there and ate away the banana leaves with the result Nanda and Sunanda were visible to the bull, which killed both the sisters. This is the reason that goat and bull are sacrificed during the celebrations.

The main function is held on Astami. The idols are worshipped right from the morning. Ladies do the Kirtan and Bhajan On the nineth day on Navami, Bull is slaughtered as sacrificial offering at the altar of Maa Nanda Devi and the meat is distributed as Prasad.  The devotees put the blood Teeka on their foreheads and the Nanda Devi idol is given round of the Bazaar with great fanfare. Devotees shower flower petals while the idols are taken around the city.  The idol is ultimately immersed in the river.

During the fair, people dance in groups and sing Jhore, Chanchari, Bhagnaul Bair etc. The dance is accompanied by Hurka, a local traditional small drum. The Fair gives an opportunity for rejoicing to the villagers. Folk dancers come in large numbers and dance to the tune of Hurka in groups. The Patal Bazar, which Almora is famous for, becomes a place of rejoicing. The crowd gathers around the group dancers and people enjoy the Fair.

At Ranikhet Nanda Devi Mahotsav started in 1890.  Prior to the construction of the temple Nanda Devi function used to be held in the house of a person who has space in the ground floor of his house in Zaroor Bazar (Shiv Mandir Marg).  This continued till 1997.  In the beginning a goat and bull used to be slaughtered. In 1997 Ravindra Lal Sah s/o Late Shanker Lal Sah, of Zaroori Bazar saw Nanda and Sunanda in his dreams. The Maa asked him to construct a temple in the present site.  A small temple of the Maa was constructed. In 2002 the temple was renovated and a large temple was constructed in it’s place.

Previously Banana trees were brought from village Airoli and Khaniya. Now that the banana trees are available in Ranikhet itself, the trees are cut from the city and are taken round the city with Band, Nagare Nishaan etc.  The present executive consists of Kishan Lal Sah (Kanha Seth) as President and the Secretary of the executive is Harish Lal Sah who participates actively in the entire Mahotsava. It is pertinent to mention here that Sah community considers Nanda Devi as their worshipping deity, hence they participate in the celebrations in a big way and with the cooperation of the members of other communities they celebrate the festival with great fanfare. (D.N.Barola)

Kale Kawwa Kale – Makar Sankranti festival

Makar Sankranti is a Festival of Cultural, Social, and religious magnificence.
Uttarayani fair is held in a number of places of Uttarakhand, including Bageshwar, Sult Mahadev, Chitrashila (Ranibagh) and Hanseshwar and many places of Garhwal.  At Pancheshwar the Dola of Chaumu comes down to the temple. The Uttarayani fairs are often used as platforms by social and political workers and the Bageshwar fair specially has played an important role in all the local movements, as also in the freedom movement. In 1921 activists had given a call for the eventual eradication of the system of Bonded Labour known as Coolie Begar. In 1929 Gandhi ji came to Bageshwar. Many freedom fighters and folk singers have been closely associated with the Bageshwar fair. Even today the fair attracts a large number of people, who spend the whole night dancing and singing Jhoras, Chancharis and Bairas.

One of the largest fair of Kumaon region, the Uttarayani festival of Bageshwar, is organized in the month of January for a period of one week and is frequented by Almora traders and by the Bhotiyas from the snows, as well as by a great multitude of people from the surrounding villages. The town of Bageshwar, 90 km from Almora town, is a junction of two rivers, namely Saryu and Gomti. At the junction of these rivers stands a large temple with its Conical Tower. Here is the shrine of Bageshwar or Vyagreswar, the, "Tiger Lord", an epithet of Lord Siva. This temple was erected by the Kumaon king, Laxmi Chand, about 1450 A.D., but there is an interesting Sanskrit inscription there of a far earlier date. The chief articles of merchandise in the fair are: ponies, goats, sheep, furs, yak tails, musk pods, borax, salt horns, books, shoes and fruit dried and fresh. The Bhotiyas bring down excellent ponies, which breed in a wild or semi-wild state over the Tibetan border. Merchants from far off distances like Tibet and Nepal come to the fair for brisk trading. The fair attracts maximum people. Its commercial, cultural and political importance is still very high. Goods like iron and copper pots, baskets, casks, bamboo articles, mats, mattresses, carpets, blankets, herbs and spices are sold during this fair.
On 15 January at 12.08 in the night the Sun enters Makar Rashi from Dhanu rashi of Jupiter. The entrance of the sun in Makar rashi is called the Makar Sankranti. 
Bhism pitamah shed his life on this very day. He was waiting to shed his life on Uttarayan

There is a story, as to why Ghughuti festival is celebrated. Once upon a time there was a King named Ghughut Singh. His learned Astrologers prophesied that he will be killed by a Crow on Makar Sankranti day. The King was sad. His learned advisers chalked out a scheme. There was a King’s Order that on the Makar Sanskranti day Crows would compulsorily be offered a special pudding by the people. The people complied with the Orders of the King with the result crows became busy with the lavish food, i.e. Ghughutas and they did not go anywhere as they were busy tasting the Ghughtas. Thus the King's life was saved.
 
 This festival is also called 'Kale Kauwa' in Kumaon. Flour is kneaded with 'Gud', then forming a figure of a particular bird, Ghuguta, puding is made and strung into a rosary. Orange and other fruits are also strung in it. These rosaries are put round the necks of the children. The children, who get up early in the morning on this very day, call the crows by uttering:

 'Kale Kauwa Aa Le, Ghughuti Mala Kha Le'. Bad too lija, ghar main kai dee ja; Puri too lija, chhuri main ke dee ja; Le kauwa Lagad, main ke deeja sunu ka sagad.

  काले कौवा आ ले, घुघूती माला खा ले.  बड तू ली जा, घड़ मैं कै दी जा. पूरी तू लिजा, छुरी मैं कै दी जा. ले कौवा लगड़, मैं कै दी जा सुनु सगड़.   काले कौवा आ ले, घुघूती माला खा ले...........

.The thread of Ghughta garland used to be made from the Bheemal or Bhikua tree. The Branches of Bheemal tree used to be kept on the water and when it used to become soft the thread was prepared out of this. This thread used to be used for the Mala called Lwhaita. The children invite the Crows to accept Ghughtas. However, now for quite some years, Crows are not visible. Instead the Ghughtas are eaten away by the Monkeys. In any case the offering of Ghughtas shows the love of our fore-fathers towards the ecology. The fact is during this period nothing is available in the forests for the Birds. Hence our fore-fathers tried to feed the birds and also tried to save the eco-system of the hills. (D.N.Barola)


Ghughutas ready for cooking.


Cooked Ghughutas


A child with Ghughuti Mala

Sir,

I am really missing this festivel here in Delhi. Though, i have some pieces of  here.

Since i am from bageshwar. i had seen Uttarayani fair several times there.

Kale Kawwa Kale – Makar Sankranti festival

Makar Sankranti is a Festival of Cultural, Social, and religious magnificence.
Uttarayani fair is held in a number of places of Uttarakhand, including Bageshwar, Sult Mahadev, Chitrashila (Ranibagh) and Hanseshwar and many places of Garhwal.  At Pancheshwar the Dola of Chaumu comes down to the temple. The Uttarayani fairs are often used as platforms by social and political workers and the Bageshwar fair specially has played an important role in all the local movements, as also in the freedom movement. In 1921 activists had given a call for the eventual eradication of the system of Bonded Labour known as Coolie Begar. In 1929 Gandhi ji came to Bageshwar. Many freedom fighters and folk singers have been closely associated with the Bageshwar fair. Even today the fair attracts a large number of people, who spend the whole night dancing and singing Jhoras, Chancharis and Bairas.

One of the largest fair of Kumaon region, the Uttarayani festival of Bageshwar, is organized in the month of January for a period of one week and is frequented by Almora traders and by the Bhotiyas from the snows, as well as by a great multitude of people from the surrounding villages. The town of Bageshwar, 90 km from Almora town, is a junction of two rivers, namely Saryu and Gomti. At the junction of these rivers stands a large temple with its Conical Tower. Here is the shrine of Bageshwar or Vyagreswar, the, "Tiger Lord", an epithet of Lord Siva. This temple was erected by the Kumaon king, Laxmi Chand, about 1450 A.D., but there is an interesting Sanskrit inscription there of a far earlier date. The chief articles of merchandise in the fair are: ponies, goats, sheep, furs, yak tails, musk pods, borax, salt horns, books, shoes and fruit dried and fresh. The Bhotiyas bring down excellent ponies, which breed in a wild or semi-wild state over the Tibetan border. Merchants from far off distances like Tibet and Nepal come to the fair for brisk trading. The fair attracts maximum people. Its commercial, cultural and political importance is still very high. Goods like iron and copper pots, baskets, casks, bamboo articles, mats, mattresses, carpets, blankets, herbs and spices are sold during this fair.
On 15 January at 12.08 in the night the Sun enters Makar Rashi from Dhanu rashi of Jupiter. The entrance of the sun in Makar rashi is called the Makar Sankranti. 
Bhism pitamah shed his life on this very day. He was waiting to shed his life on Uttarayan

There is a story, as to why Ghughuti festival is celebrated. Once upon a time there was a King named Ghughut Singh. His learned Astrologers prophesied that he will be killed by a Crow on Makar Sankranti day. The King was sad. His learned advisers chalked out a scheme. There was a King’s Order that on the Makar Sanskranti day Crows would compulsorily be offered a special pudding by the people. The people complied with the Orders of the King with the result crows were busy with the lavish food, i.e. Ghughutas and they did not go
 
 This festival is also called 'Kale Kauwa' in Kumaon. Flour is kneaded with 'Gud', then forming a figure of a particular bird, Ghuguta, puding is made and strung into a rosary. Orange and other fruits are also strung in it. These rosaries are put round the necks of the children. The children, who get up early in the morning on this very day, call the crows by uttering:

 'Kale Kauwa Aa Le, Ghughuti Mala Kha Le'. Bad too lija, ghar main kai dee ja; Puri too lija, chhuri main ke dee ja; Le kauwa Lagad, main ke deeja sunu ka sagad.

.The thread of Ghughta garland used to be made from the Bheemal or Bhikua tree. The Branches of Bheemal tree used to be kept on the water and when it used to become soft the thread was prepared out of this. This thread used to be used for the Mala called Lwhaita. The children invite the Crows to accept Ghughtas. However, now for quite some years, Crows are not visible. Instead the Ghughtas are eaten away by the Monkeys. In any case the offering of Ghughtas shows the love of our fore-fathers towards the ecology. The fact is during this period nothing is available in the forests for the Birds. Hence our fore-fathers tried to feed the birds and to save the eco-system of the hills. (D.N.Barola)



Ghughutas ready for cooking.


Cooked Ghughutas


A child with Ghughuti Mala

Sir,

Really very-2 interesting and useful information about Phool Deyee. I am just missing my childhood days.

I am sure by this information of yours, our generation will get them updated about this festival.

Phooldei – Phooldei Chhamma chhei

Phool Dei is celebrated on the first day of the month of Chaitra in the month of March. On this day, young girls and children conduct most of the ceremonies. Young girls and children go to all the houses in the Mohalla or the Village with plates full of rice, jaggery, coconut, green leaves and flowers. In the olden times rice, jaggery etc. used to be brought in the baskets of ringal. But now with the changing times, children bring these things in the plates or thalis or plastic bags. They offer their good wishes for the prosperity of the household and are given blessings and presents (sweets, gur, money etc) in return. They sprinkle first flowers of the season and rice on the doorsteps of the neighbours and sing.

Phool dei, chhamma dei.
Deno dwar, bhar bhakar,
Ye dei sei namashkar, puje dwar.

फूल देइ छम्मा छेई,
देनो द्वार भर भकार,
ये देइ से नमस्कार,
पूजे द्वार 

This is a big example of how communities in Kumaon are closely bonded and linked with each other, as no one puts these flowers in front of their own houses alone. In some places the festival is celebrated throughout the month.

As per tradition, normally, rice so collected is used to prepare delicious rice pudding called Sei (a pudding made with rice floor, curd and jaggery). Folk singers sing the Riturain, Chaiti and other songs welcoming spring and are given presents, money and food grains.

Phooldei is an important festival as from this date religious ceremonies like Sacred Thread Ceremony (Yagyo Paweet Sanskar) starts. Brothers offer Bhitauli or Ala (presents) to their married sisters. Rhododendron also blooms in this month, though for the past several years rhododendron has started blooming early due to global warming.(D.N.Barola)

Bhitauli festival of Kumaon

For the married women, the month of Chaitra has special significance. They feel great psychological attachment for Chaitra Mash, as they are remembered by their brothers and parents who offer them presents called Bhitauli. They patiently wait for the arrival of this month. A Kumaoni song depicts their feelings

Ni Ghughuti (bird) Chait ki;
Mikoon narwai lagi Chait ki.basa
 
नि घुघूती चैत की,
 मिकूं नरवाई लगी चैत की बसा 

‘This year so far I have not heard the melody of singing Ghughuti. I remember the month of Chaitra very much’.


Ghughuti Bird (Rufous turtle dove)


A family which is fortunate to have brothers, sisters and others express their sentiments in the following way.

Derani jithaani ka ijoo, main bhetuli lyangay we;
Bojyu myara sunla, angiya maulala we,
Iju meri sunli, bhai bhetu lagali we.

दिरानी जेठानी का इजू, भै  भैटुली ल्वेंगे वे;
बौज्यू मेरा सुनला, अंगिया मौलाला वे ,
इजू मेरी सुणली भै भैटू लगाली वे

The sister without any brother laments:

Ichali kanyali ijoo, ghughuti ghurailee;
Bin bhaiya ki banuwan, anshu jai dawelee we.

इचाली कन्याली इजू, घुघूती घुरैली;
बिन भैया की बैनुवा, आंसू जै ढवेली  वे

The Ghughuti bird flies from field to field and the girl remembers her brother.  But the girl has no brother, hence she sings as above.


Ghughuti Bird

The folk song contains blessings to the daughters and also welcome the New Year called Nav Samvastshar.

जो भागी जियाला इजू,
नौ ऋतू सुनौलौ वे, अबावे य दिन य मास;
जुग जुगा भेटी आला

Gunu Didi


Gunu Didi


65 year Gunu Didi from Kapkote village Panchayat Distrct Bageshwar has been trying her best to keep the Chaitra, Basant Panchami and other festivals’ singing of the folk songs alive. She is the seventh wife of Late Prem Ram. She is childless.  In her melodious voice she goes from Bakhali to Bakhli (group of houses in a row) in the villages and starts her songs by singing Ghar main dharma karogi rama hai koi aisa.

घर मैं धरम  करोगी रामा, है कोई ऐसा.........

She sings various songs like O baina we bhai bhitoi aai;
raina bhai yo newali basil; ablyun chud O Bal raik desha jaan;
 Bina bainkik ashudhhi bhai chhai etc. etc. 


ओ बैंना, वे भाई भिटौली आई
रैना भई यो नेवली बासली
ज्येठी बेणी कांसी   बेणी
गोरी को खिक दिस
अब ल्युन चुड़ ओ बाल,
रईक देसा  जाण   

बिना बैणिक असुद्धि भई छै

A women with basket full of Bhitauli

She earns her bread by singing these folk songs. She also gets the widow pension, but she is disappointed by the apathy shown by the Governments in her effort to keep the folk songs alive.  She however continues to sing folk songs with redoubled vigour.(D.N.Barola)