Wednesday, 20 July 2016

Can the seat of power be more humble than this... Maheshwar

                           



A person derives power from his conduct, actions and his overall persona. Rani Ahilyabai Holkar the Maratha queen of the 18th century who ruled over Malwa region in central India is one such character from history. Forced to take reigns of the kingdom due to untimely death of her father in law and her young husband. She proved to be a worthy successor to her illustrious father in law who established Holkar dynasty in Malwa. 
The humble queen was a powerful ruler yet she choose to live an austere life. She lived in a humble Rajwada built besides the more imposing Fort and Palace complex in Maheshwar. The picture depicts the place in her rajwada where she held court and received other royals and officers and carried out much of her affairs. A glimpse into her small yet beautifully maintained rajwada makes us think if a seat of power of a towering ruler can be more humble than this...  
A great Shiva devout, she shifted her capital from Indore to Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh in the middle of 18th century. This powerful maratha queen was revered as a goddess by her subjects for the work done by her during her lifetime. She built forts, palaces, temples, ghats, encouraged commerce in her kingdom. A handloom textile industry centre was set up in Maheshwar at her behest which turned the the sleepy town into a fledging textile centre in central India. Idyllically situated on the banks of river Narmada, Maheshwar has the magnificent Ahilya Fort complex consisting of rajwada, fort, palace, administrative buildings, numerous temples with exquisitely intricate carvings and ghats.




The monuments are built in maratha style with mostly plain outer facade. However the outer walls of the buildings inside the complex have some intricate carvings depicting different scenes from every day life. The minutely carved sculptures is sure to take your breadth away. The fort complex opens into the ghats through a flight of steps descending into the ghats below. The imposing steps of Maheshwar ghats have often been used as a backdrop in many a song sequence of hindi movies and television serials.

                                                          Maheshwar ghats

Maheshwar's other claim to fame is the world famous Maheshwari sari. Hand woven and hand made from natural fibre, these sarees are made by the members of  Rehwa Weavers Society most of which are women. Available in vibrant colours with gold borders they are a delight to wear and gift and a must buy item when in Maheshwar. Rehwa Weavers society which produces most of these sarees has a production unit inside the Ahilya fort complex. One can actually see these beautiful sarees being made by women on the handlooms installed in the premises. There is an outlet of Rehwa Weaver's Society in the complex itself where one can buy these sarees and dress material at a reasonable cost. 


                                                      Maheshwari Sarees

Where to stay: There are various places were one can stay in Maheshwar ranging from a modest motel or lodge or a dharmashala. Narmada Retreat by M P Tourism provides accommodation at reasonable rates. Located on a small hillock overlooking the mighty Narmada river, Narmada retreat is an idyllic place to spend a weekend with your family. Lush green garden, lovely pool to enjoy the evenings splashing around with your family, a restaurant overlooking Narmada offering a spread of delicious breakfast makes your stay complete in @Rs 3500/- per night.
Narmada Retreat, Maheshwar

For someone looking of a piece of history and a royal experience, they can opt for staying in the heritage hotel within the palace complex. Though the rates are on the higher side at @Rs 22000/- per night but it is compensated by the simple yet royal feel of the place. One can also stay at Laboos a well maintained hotel within the palace complex at @13,000/- per night.

Best time to visit Maheshwar is from July to March. Temperature during most of the year is around 30 degrees Celsius. It is advisable to wear loose cotton clothes and dress conservatively keeping Indian sensibilities in mind.

How to reach: Maheshwar can be reached by train from Indore, Bhopal and Nagpur. It is 91 kms from Indore by road, around 500 kms from Nagpur and around 290 kms from Bhopal. Nearest airport is Indore. 

Nearby places of tourist interest: Indore, Mandu, Dhar, Bagh caves, Omkareshwar and Hanutwantiya water and adventure sport destination on Indira Sagar dam on Narmada river.  

For more details and bookings please contact M P Tourism, Nagpur on - 0712 2442378

Friday, 24 June 2016

10 must see places in Mandu

10 must see places in Mandu 

Monsoon is the best time to visit this beautiful heritage city in central India. Situated on the Vindhya mountain range in Madhya Pradesh at a height of 2000 ft above sea level, it overlooks Malwa plateau on one side and river Narmada flowing through the Nimar plains on the other. The excavations date the city to around 11th century. Ruled by Hindus, Afghans and Mughals successively it has a fine blend of hindu and mughal style of architecture with rich history.

The two tombs of the Roopmati pavillon can be seen from a distance, as the tourists start their climb for Mandu. Originally built as a military post it served as the capital of the region. Many structures dotting the landscape have awe inspiring architecture and the place is worth a visit.

Places of interest in Mandu

1 Jahaz Mahal


Jahaz Mahal is by far the most spectacular structure of Mandu. Built by Ghiyas ud din Khilji in 15th century it is a place to visit during rains. Made of sandstone it glows golden in the sunshine and is enveloped in fog during monsoon presenting a beautiful picture. Surrounded by the clouds and greenery it looks like a ship floating on a lake. 




2 Hindola Mahal

Hindola Mahal  is another beautiful piece of architecture in the palace complex consisting of Jahaz Mahal, Taweli Mahal and Narahar Jharoka. Flanked by Kapoor Talav and Munj talav it is a two storied structure called Hindola or a 'Swing' due to the sloping  outer side walls. Most probably it served as an audience hall with intricate jali work on the high perched windows.


3 Jami Masjid 

Jami Masjid or Big mosque is another splendid piece representing the best of mughal architecture. The pillars of the Jami masjid have intricate motifs representing hindu symbols of bells. 




4 Rani Roopmati Pavillion

Rani Roopmati Pavillion is strategically situated atop the Malwa plateau and overlooks the Nimar plains below giving a view of river Narmada on clear days. Built as a checkpost it is a two storied structure, it served as the abode of Rani Roopmati the queen of Baz Bahadur the ruler of Mandu. It overlooks Baz Bahadur's palace below.


5 Baz Bahadur's Palace

Another monument worth visiting is the palace of Baz Bahadur the ruler of Mandu. It is situated below Rani Roopmati pavillion and flanked by a flight of steps and a lofty gate at the entrance. Beautiful arches, hanging balconies, terraces and courtyards makes one nostaglic of the golden times.



6 Rewa Kund

Rewa kund is a reservoir built by Baz Bahadur besides his palace. The water was supplied to Roopmati Pavillion from the kund situated at the foot of the hillock, thus making it an architectural marvel. 

7. Hoshang Shah's Tomb

Hoshang Shah the second independent ruler of Mandu constructed a beautiful tomb in white marble and wanted it to be his final resting place. However as fate would have it, his entire family was killed in his absence by his enemies and laid to rest in this tomb. On getting the news of his families massacre he suffered a massive heart attack and died. The city in which he was buried was named as Hoshangabad. As per his wish a dummy tomb has been constructed for Hoshang Shah besides the tomb of his wife here.
Shahjahan was greatly impressed by the look and design of Hoshang Shah's tomb and sent his architect Ustad Hamid to study the design. Hoshang Shah's tomb served as an inspiration for Taj Mahal. 


8 Darya Khan's Tomb 

Darya Khan a mughal general has built a number monuments in Mandu notable being military and travellers quaters with minute planning and eye for detail.


9 Dilawar Khan's Mosque

Dilawar Khan's mosque is a fine blend of Afghan and Mughal architecture.


10 Ashrafi Mahal

Ashrafi Mahal facing the Jami Masjid was a madarassa or academic institution. In the same complex was a seven story tower of victory built to commemorate victory of Mahumud  Khilji  over Rana Khumbh of Mewar, now only one floor of the tower remains.
The other notable structures worth a visit are  Hati Mahal, Nilkanth Mahal, Dai Ka Mahal, Chhoti Dai Ka Mahal, Lohani Caves and temple ruins.

How to reach 

Nearest airport is Indore and then three hours ride to Mandu. It can also be reached from Bhopal and Nagpur. Nearest railway station is Indore.

Best place to stay

M P Tourism's Malwa Hotel and Resort in Mandu is an idyllic place to stay. The resort offers reasonable accommodation in AC cottages amid a heavy folliage of trees and a man made reservoir. Beautiful garden with swings and riot of colours all around makes it a perfect place to unwind after a tiring day exploring Mandu.

For more details contact - M P Tourism, Nagpur on -0712 2442378 or nagpur@mptourism.com


Wednesday, 25 May 2016

Romancing the monsoon in the mystical Mandu


Rains have always transformed Mandu from a beautifully planned and laid out city into a mesmerizing world of royalty which existed 700 years ago.
Dotted with numerous lakes, palaces, mosques, stepped tanks and an array of sarais for travellers and military, Mandu is sheer magic in rains. It is a celebration of life in stone and an awe inspiring example of Islamic architecture. 
Perched 2000 ft above sea level along the Vindhya ranges in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, Mandu was basically designed to serve as a military outpost.
Jahaz Mahal is by far the most beautiful structure that dominates Mandu landscape. Built by Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din-Khilji in 14 century to serve as his harem, it became a showpiece pleasure resort of Mughals. Surrounded by artificial lakes on both sides this two storied architectural marvel has been so named as it looks like a ship in a lake.
Jahaz Mahal must have been a pure white structure at the height of its glory with blue persian glazed tiles adding to its beauty. The structure now beret of its once white shine, glows golden in sunlight offering a breadth taking view.
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Thursday, 5 May 2016

A peek into the history of Kumbha

A peek into the history of Kumbha



Kumbha is the largest religious congregation in the world, held every 12 years by rotation in one of the four cities of India; namely Haridwar, Allahabad or Prayag, Nasik and Ujjain. Kumbha which is held once in 144 years in Prayag or Allahabad is called the Maha Kumbh.

The Origin 

According to the legend, gods and asuras during the churning of the ocean or Samudra Manthan found a pot of divine nectar believed to provide immortality to the drinker. The gods made a divine carrier carry away the pot to prevent asuras from laying hands on it. During the chase, a few drops of amrita fell on Haridwar, Prayag, Nasik and Ujjain which are the present-day sites of the Kumbh Mela. The puranas or other ancient texts however do not have a mention of kumbha mela.

The available texts and the historical records fail to give an exact picture on the age of Kumbha. Earliest mention is the one in Haridwar followed by Prayag and Nasik Trimbakeshwar. The mela at Haridwar appears to be the first to be called Kumbha as it is held when Jupiter enters the zodiac sign of Kumbha or Aquarius. The other earliest reference to Kumbh Mela is found in  Khulasat-ut-Tawarikh in 1695 CE and Chahar Gulshan  in 1759 CE which describes only Haridwar's fair as Kumbha, though there is a mention of similar fairs being held in Allahabad and Nashik.


The Magh Mela of Allahabad is probably the oldest among the four fairs kinding mention in several Puranas. However, its transition onto Kumbha and the 12-year cycle probably dates back to the mid-19th century. The first British reference to the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad occurs in an 1868 report, which mentions the need for increased pilgrimage and sanitation controls at the "Coomb Fair" to be held in January 1870. So in all probability the local community in order to increase the importance of their Tirth adopted the Kumbha tradition of Haridwar with their pre-existing melas. 

 Kumbha in Ujjain

Kumbha in Ujjain is supposed to have started in the eighteenth century by the then Maratha ruler Renkoji Shinde of the Scindia dynasty of Gwalior. Renkoji invited ascetics from Nashik to visit a festival Panchkroshi Yatra held by the local community in Ujjain in the month of Vaishakha. As per ancient traditions, a sequential viewing of all 84 Mahadev temples in and around Ujjain is conducted as part of this yatra. Ujjain is home to one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in the form of Mahakal - the Lord of all Times, it is a place where according to the legend few drops of divine amrita had fallen and one of the Saptapuris, the seven holy cities of India that grant Moksha or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Realizing the immense religious significance of Ujjain, the sages accepted Renkoji's  invitation. As the Panchkroshi Yatra conveniently fell at the end of Nashik Kumbha, a large number of ascetics started visiting the festival in Ujjain too. This drew ordinary people to the fair as well, increasing its popularity over the time, which probably ultimately led to naming the festival as Simhastha kumbha.The kumbha in Ujjain starts on the full moon day of Hindu month of Chaitra when Jupiter enters the sun sign of Leo or the Simha constellation of zodiac, hence the name Simhastha. The mela continues till the next full moon day of the following month of Vaishakha. Though, the exact date of renaming cannot be traced but as per the records of the British government, it must be somewhere in the late nineteenth century. Earlier the Scindias organized kumbha in Ujjain, however in later years its organization and management slowly changed hands.


Until the East India Company took over the management and administration of Kumbha, the Melas were managed by the dominant akhadas of that time. These sadhus collected taxes, carried out policing and judicial duties. They also participated in trade and were heavily militarized.  These melas have had a history of sectarian politics and a long record of clashes between different participating sects. The bone of contention many times among other reasons was the right to be the first to take a dip in the holy river during shahi snan days. Being organizers some akhadas asserted their first right to shahi snan. This demand gained importance because over the years the sequence in which each Akhada was allowed to enter the waters came to be associated with the rank or status their sect enjoyed among all akhadas. These and many other interests led to violent clashes between different sects of sadhus.

The 1760’s Haridwar Kumbha resulted in hundreds of death due to clashes between Shaivite Gosains  and  Vaishnavite Bairagis. A copperplate inscription of the Maratha Peshwa  claims that twelve thousand ascetics died in a clash at the 1789 Nashik Kumbha.  The 1796 Kumbha in Haridwar saw Shaivites attacking and injuring the  Udasis for erecting a camp without their permission. The retaliatory response of the  Khalsa Sikhs accompanying the Udasis led to many sadhus getting killed from both sides. The East India Company after this incident severely limited the trader-warrior role of the sadhus who were reduced to the status of mere pilgrims. Different measures initiated by the administration in later editions of kumbha led to significantly reduce clashes between different sects of sadhus.

Highlights of Kumbha

Aarti every evening is one of the major highlights of Kumbha. Scores of people gather to witness this beautiful spectacle where priests perform Aarti of the river accompanied by the chant of sholkas. Besides the religious significance, historically the Kumbh Melas were also major commercial events. A large number of people of different religions visited the mela. British civil servant Robert Montgomery Martin  describes the 1858 Haridwar Kumbha mela as a congregation of Hindu pilgrims as well as visitors like priests, soldiers, merchants, including horse traders coming over from Bukhara, Kabul, Turkistan, Arabia and Persia. He records the visit of several Hindu and Sikh rulers and Muslim Nawabs visiting the fair as well as some Christian missionaries preaching at the Mela.

Peshwai Procession



One of the highlights of Kumbha Mela even today is the Peshwai Procession , which marks the arrival of the people belonging to a particular akhadas or sect in a grand procession. Each procession sees the chief of the Akhadas mounted atop a beautifully decorated vahan led by his group of disciples dancing to the sound of manjiras, dhols and singing hymns in the praise if the lord. The air is filled with frequent full throated chants of Har Har Mahadev. The path towards the bathing ghats is jam packed with lakhs of people thronging the route to witness the grand procession move towards the ghats of  Khipra.  The order of entering the waters is fixed, the Juna’s are the first, followed by the Niranjani then Mahanirvani and then the other akhadas follow. The holy dip starts at an opportune time at sunrise, people offer ablutions to the Sun god, pray for atonement for their sins and grant of Moksha from the cycle of life and death. The pilgrims then make way for the darshan of the Mahakal, the Kshetradhipati of Ujjain. There are atleast three to four auspicious days for shahi snan during the month when people in lakhs take part in these rituals.



Another important aspect of Kumbha is the Darshan of the holy men. The pilgrims seek instructions or advice in spirituality from these holy men and leave a token Dakshina at their feet. Darshan is important to the experience of the Kumbh as it is here that the general public gets to see and interact with the ascetics who normally live in their ashrams or in the high altitudes of the Himalayas.

Naga Sadhus 

Naga sadhus are the other very famous participants of kumbha. The Nagas call themselves Shaiv Panthis and are the warrior sadhus, carrying a weapon as they lead the procession for Shahisnan. Naga meaning naked is a sign of separation or sanyas from the material world.  These ash smeared sadhus remain completely naked even while living in the extremely low temperatures of the Himalayas. The other sadhus wear loose cotton robe of saffron or white colour, smear ash on their bodies and adorn themselves with Rudraksha Mala and garland of flowers. The kumbha is also frequented by the Hat Yogis, who subject themselves to years of hard penance and yoga to achieve unique control over breathing and the other parts of their bodies. Hat yog is a way of physical purification of body to prepare it for higher meditation. Each Hat Yogi displays some unique power or characteristics they have mastered as a result of years of sadhana.

Preparations  for Kumbha 

Being a mega event, kumbha requires participation of various governmental and nongovernmental organizations to make it a success. A city within a city is created for lakhs of visiting pilgrims. Facilities like tents for accommodation, water for drinking and daily use, stalls for food, medicines, traffic control and management, maintaining hygiene and garbage disposal, policing and law and order, building infrastructure to handle a rush of more than 1 crore pilgrims visiting kumbha over the one month period is a major challenge. Crowd management is essentially the most function of the government machinery as various editions of kumbha have seen many mishaps due to presence of sheer number of pilgrims on the days of the shahisnan. Incidents of death due to stampede, overcrowding or collapse of the connecting bridges, unhygienic living conditions in the camps, spread of diseases like cholera, diahorrea, typhoid etc have over shadowed government’s efforts to provide a safe and successful kumbha. Inspite of the numerous difficulties, kumbha attracts large numbers of pilgrims in each of its editions.

The faith of the people attending the kumbha can be summed effectively in the words of Mark Twain who after visiting the 1895 kumbha wrote “It is wonderful, the power of a faith like that, that can make multitudes upon multitudes of the old and weak and the young and frail enter without hesitation or complaint upon such incredible journeys and endure the resultant miseries without repining. It is done in love, or it is done in fear; I do not know which it is. No matter what the impulse is, the act born of it is beyond imagination, marvelous to our kind of people, the cold whites.”

Complied and Written by - Vandana Muley
The writer is a Travel Writer, Blogger and Publicist and can be contacted on muley_vandana@yahoo.com

Monday, 18 April 2016

рднрдЧोрд░िрдпा рдЙрдд्рд╕рд╡ाрдЪ्рдпा рдЕрдиेрдХ рдЫрдЯा

рднрдЧोрд░िрдпा рдЙрдд्рд╕рд╡ाрдЪ्рдпा рдЕрдиेрдХ рдЭрдЯा



рднрдЧोрд░िрдпा рдХिрд╡ां рд╕्рдеाрдиिрдХ рднाрд╖ेрдд рднूрдЧोрд░िрдпा рджрд░ рд╡рд░्рд╖ी рд╣ोрд│ीрдЪ्рдпा рдПрдХ рдЖрдард╡рд│्рдпा рдкूрд░्рд╡ी рд╕рд╣ा рджिрд╡рд╕ा рд╕ाрдаी рдордз्рдп рдк्рд░рджेрд╢рдЪ्рдпा рдЕрд▓िрд░ाрдЬрдкूрд░ рдЬिрд▓्рд╣ाрдд рд╕ाрдЬрд░ा рдХेрд▓ा рдЬाрддो. рдк्рд░рдд्рдпेрдХ рджिрд╡рд╢ी рдЬिрд▓्рд╣ाрддीрд▓ рдПрдХा рдЧाрд╡ाрдд рднрдЧोрд░िрдпाрдЪे рдЖрдпोрдЬрди рднिрд▓, рднिрд▓ाрд▓ा, рдкрдЯрд▓ीрдпा рд╡ рдЕрди्рдп рдЖрджिрд╡ाрд╕ी рдк्рд░рдЬाрддी рдХрд░рддाрдд. рдЗрдерд▓ी рдЬрдоीрди рдЙрдкрдЬाрдК рдиाрд╣ी, рд╢ेрддी рдЬрд╡рд│ рдкाрд╕ рдиाрд╡ा рдкुрд░рддीрдЪ рдЖрдгि рдоाрдЧाрд╕ рдХ्рд╖ेрдд्рд░ рдЕрд╕рд▓्рдпाрдоुрд│े рдЧाрд╡ाрдд рдлाрд░рд╕े рдХाрдо рд╕ुрдж्рдзा рдиाрд╣ी. рддाрдбी рдЧोрд│ा рдХрд░ूрди рд╡िрдХрдгे рд╣ाрдЪ рдЗрдХрд│рдЪा рд╕рд░्рд╡ाрдд рдоोрдаा рд╡्рдпрд╡рд╕ाрдп. рд▓ोрдХं рдЧुрдЬрд░ाрдд, рд░ाрдЬрд╕्рдеाрди рдЖрдгि рдорд╣ाрд░ाрд╖्рдЯ्рд░ рд╕ाрд░рдЦ्рдпा рд░ाрдЬ्рдпाрдд рдЬाрдКрди рдордЬूрд░ी рдХрд░рддाрдд. рд╣ोрд│ीрдЪ्рдпा рдорд╣िрди्рдпाрдд рддे рдЖрдкрд▓्рдпा рдЧाрд╡ाрдд рдкीрдХ рдХाрдкрдг्рдпा рд╕ाрдаी рдорджрддीрд▓ा рдкрд░рдд рдпेрддाрдд. рднрдЧोрд░िрдпा рдЙрдд्рд╕рд╡ рдд्рдпांрдЪी рдШрд░ рдкрд░рддрдгी, рдкीрдХ рдХाрдкрдгी рдЖрдгि рд▓рдЧ्рдиाрдЪा рдорд╣ूрд░्рдд рд╕ाрдЬрд░ा рдХрд░рдгाрд░ा рдЖрдиंрджाрдЪा рдоेрд│ाрд╡ा рдЕрд╕рддो.


рдоाрдЭे рднрдЧोрд░िрдпा рдЖрджिрд╡ाрд╕ी рдЙрдд्рд╕рд╡ाрдд рдЬाрдг्рдпाрдЪे рдард░рд▓े рдЖрдгि рдоी рдиेрдЯрд╡рд░ рдд्рдпाрдЪ्рдпा рдмрдж्рджрд▓ рдоाрд╣िрддी рдЧोрд│ा рдХрд░ू рд▓ाрдЧрд▓ी. рдиेрдЯрд╡рд░ рднрдЧोрд░िрдпा рдмрдж्рджрд▓ рдоाрд╣िрддी рд╡ाрдЪрд▓्рдпाрд╡рд░ рдоाрдЭी рдпा рдЖрджिрд╡ाрд╕ी рдЙрдд्рд╕рд╡ाрд▓ा рднेрдЯ рджेрдг्рдпाрдЪी рдЙрдд्рд╕ुрдХрддा рдЕрдЬूрди рд╡ाрдврд▓ी. рдиाрдЧрдкुрд░рд╣ुрди рд░ेрд▓рдЪा рдк्рд░рд╡ाрд╕ рдХрд░ूрди рдЖрдо्рд╣ी рд╕рдХाрд│ी рд╕рд╣ाрдЪ्рдпा рд╕ुрдоाрд░ाрд╕ рдЗंрджूрд░ рдкोрдЪрд▓ो. рддिрдеूрди рдкाрдЪ рддाрд╕ाрдЪ्рдпा рдк्рд░рд╡ाрд╕ाрдиंрддрд░ рд╕ोंрдбрд╡ा рдЖрдгि рд╡ाрд▓рдкूрд░ рдЧाрд╡ाрдЪ्рдпा рдордз्рдпे рд╕्рдеिрдд рдордз्рдп рдк्рд░рджेрд╢ рдкрд░्рдпрдЯрдиाрдЪ्рдпा рдХैрдо्рдк рд╕ाрдИрдЯ рд╡рд░ рдкोрд╣ोрдЪрд▓ो. рдХैрдо्рдк рд╕ाрдИрдЯ рдордзे рднрд░рдкूрд░ рдЯेंрдЯ рд▓ाрдЧрд▓े рд╣ोрддे, рдЯेंрдЯ рдордзे рд░ाрд╣рдг्рдпाрдЪी рдоाрдЭी рдкрд╣िрд▓ीрдЪ рд╡ेрд│ рдЕрд╕рд▓्рдпाрдоुрд│े рдоाрдЭा рдЖрдиंрдж рджुрдк्рдкрдЯ рдЭाрд▓ा.
рдЬेрд╡рдг рдХрд░ूрди рдЖрдо्рд╣ी рд▓рдЧेрдЪ рд╕ोंрдбрд╡ा рдЧाрд╡ाрдХрдбे рдиिрдШाрд▓ो. рд╕ोрдирдбрд╡ा рдЧाрд╡ाрдд рдд्рдпा рджिрд╡рд╢ी рднрдЧोрд░िрдпाрдЪे рдЖрдпोрдЬрди рд╣ोрддे. рдЖрдордЪ्рдпा рдб्рд░ाрдЗрд╡्рд╣рд░ рдЖрдгि рдПрд╕्рдХॉрд░्рдЯрдиी рднрдЧोрд░िрдпा рдмрдж्рджрд▓ рдмрд░ीрдЪ рдоाрд╣िрддी рджिрд▓्рдпा рдоुрд│े рдХेрд╡्рд╣ां рдк्рд░рдд्рдпрдХ्рд╖ рднрдЧोрд░िрдпा рдЙрдд्рд╕рд╡ рдкрд╣ाрдпрд▓ा рдоिрд│рддं рдЕрд╕े рдЭाрд▓े рд╣ोрддे. рдХैрдоेрд░ा рд╣ाрддाрдд рдШेрдКрди рдоेрд│्рдпाрдЪ्рдпा рдЖрдд рд╢िрд░рд▓ो. рдЖрдд рд╢िрд░рддाрдЪ рдЬिрдеे рдирдЬрд░ рдкрдбेрд▓ рдЗрдеे рд░ंрдЧрдЪ рд░ंрдЧ рдкрд╕рд░рд▓े рд╣ोрддे. рд░ंрдЧी рдмेрд░ंрдЧी рд╕ुंрджрд░ рдкाрд░ंрдкाрд░िрдХ рдХрдкрдбे рдШाрд▓ूрди рдмाрдпрдХा, рдоुрд▓े рдЖрдгि рдоाрдгрд╕ं рд╡ाрд╡рд░рдд рд╣ोрддी. рд▓рд╣ंрдЧा, рдиाрдЬूрдХ рдХрд▓ाрдХрд░ी рдХेрд▓ेрд▓्рдпा рдУрдврдг्рдпा рдЖрдгि рдЦाрд▓ рдкाрд╕ूрди рд╡рд░ рдкрд░्рдпंрдд рдЬрдб рдЪांрджीрдЪे рджाрдЧिрдиे рдШाрд▓ूрди рдоुрд▓ी рд╡ рдмाрдпрдХा рд╕рд░्рд╡ांрдЪ्рдпा рдЖрдХрд░्рд╖рдгाрдЪे рдХेंрдж्рд░ рд╣ोрддे. рд╣ाрддाрдд рдШाрддрд▓ेрд▓ा   ‘рд╣ाрдд рдлूрд▓’, рдЧрд│्рдпाрдд рдЬрдб рдЪांрджीрдЪी рдоाрд│, рдХрдорд░ेрдд рд╕ुंрджрд░ рдХाрдорд░рдкрдЯ्рдЯा рдЖрдгि рд░ंрдЧी рдмेрд░ंрдЧी рдЭुрдорд░े рдШाрддрд▓ेрд▓्рдпा рдоुрд▓ींрдиा рдкाрд╣ूрди рдорди рдк्рд░рд╕рди्рди рдЭाрд▓े. рддрд░ुрдг рдоुрд▓ं рд░ंрдЧीрдд рдЪрд╖्рдоा рдЖрдгि рд░ंрдЧी рдмेрд░ंрдЧी рдХрдкрдбे рдШाрд▓ूрди рддрд░ुрдгींрдЪे рд▓рдХ्рд╖ рдЖрдХрд░्рд╖िрдд рдХрд░рдг्рдпाрдЪ्рдпा рдк्рд░рдпрдд्рдиाрдд рд╣ोрддे.


рдЧाрд╡ाрдд рднрд░рд▓ेрд▓ा рднрдЧोрд░िрдпा рдЗрдерд▓्рдпा рд▓ोрдХांрд╕ाрдаी рдордиोрд░ंрдЬрдиाрдЪा рдПрдХрдоेрд╡ рдаिрдХाрдг. рдЖрдИрд╕рдХ्рд░ीрдо, рдкाрди, рднाрдЬ्рдпा, рдлрд│, рдЦाрдж्рдп рдкрджाрд░्рде рддрд╕ेрдЪ рдмांрдЧрдбрдпा, рдХрдкрдбे, рдЪांрджीрдЪे рджाрдЧिрдиे, рдмाрдпрдХांрдЪे рд╕ौंрджрд░्рдп рдк्рд░рд╕ाрдзрди рдпाрдЪे рджूрдХाрди рджिрд╕рд▓े. рд░рддाрд│े рдЖрдгि рдкрдд्рддा рдХोрдмी рд╕ोрдбूрди рджुрд╕рд░ी рднाрдЬी рджिрд╕рд▓ी рдиाрд╣ी. рдЖрджिрд╡ाрд╕ी рд╣рд╕्рддрдХрд▓ा рдЖрдгि рд╣рд╕्рддрдХрд▓े рдиी рдмрдирд╡िрд▓ेрд▓्рдпा рдмांрдмूрдЪ्рдпा рд╡рд╕्рддु рд╡िрдХाрдпрд▓ा рд╣ोрдд्рдпा. рдкाрдпाрдд рдШुंрдЧрд░ू рдШाрд▓ूрди рдоाрдгрд╕ं рдвोрд▓ рдЖрдгि рдкुंрдЧीрдЪ्рдпा рддाрд▓ाрд╡рд░ рд╕рдХाрд│ рдкाрд╕ूрди рд╕ंрдз्рдпा рдХाрд│ рддाрдбी рдкिрдКрди рдкрд░्рдпंрдд рдиाрдЪрдд рд╣ोрддी.  рд╣ाрддाрд╡рд░ рддैрдЯू рдХрд░ूрди рдШेрддाрдиा, рд╡ेрдЧ рд╡ेрдЧрд│рдпा рдЭुрд▓्рдпांрдЪा рдЖрдиंрдж рдШेрддाрдиा рдоुрд▓े рд╡ рдмाрдпрдХा рдЖрдврд│рд▓्рдпा. рдоेрд│्рдпाрдд рдлिрд░рддाрдиा рдд्рдпांрдЪा рд╣ा рдЖрдЧрд│ा рд╡ेрдЧрд│ा рдЬрдЧ рдкाрд╣ाрдпрд▓ा рдЖрдгि рдЕрдиुрднрд╡ рдХрд░ाрдпрд▓ा рдоिрд│ाрд▓ा рдЖрдгि рдпा рд╕рд░्рд╡ рд╢्рд░рдгांрдиा рдЖрдо्рд╣ी рдХैрдоेрд░ेрдд рдХैрдж рдХेрд▓्рдпा. рдЖрджिрд╡ाрд╕ींрдЪी рдЕрд╢ी рд░ंрдЧीрди рджुрдиिрдпा рдкाрд╣ूрди рднрдЧोрд░िрдпाрдЪ्рдпा рдк्рд░ेрдоाрдд рдкрдбрд▓ं рдиाрд╣ी рдЕрд╕ा рдПрдХ рд╣ी рдоाрдгूрд╕ рдорд▓ा рддिрдеे рджिрд╕рд▓ा рдиाрд╣ी.



        
рдЖрджिрд╡ाрд╕ी рдк्рд░рдеेрдиुрд╕ाрд░ рдд्рдпांрдЪ्рдпा рддрд░ुрдгांрдиा рд▓рдЧ्рдиाрд╕ाрдаी рдЖрдкрд▓्рдпा рдкрд╕ंрддीрдЪा рдЬोрдбीрджाрд░ рдиिрд╡рдбाрдпрдЪा рд╣рдХ्рдХ рдЕрд╕рддो. рд╕ाрдк्рддाрд╣िрдХ рдмाрдЬाрд░ рдд्рдпांрдЪे рднेрдЯрдг्рдпाрдЪे рдЙрдд्рддрдо рд╕्рдеाрди, рдЕрдиेрдХ рдк्рд░ेрдо рдХрдеा рдпेрдеे рдмाрдЬाрд░ाрдд рдлुрд▓рд▓्рдпा. рдПрдЦाрдж्рдпा рдоुрд▓ाрд▓ा рдХोрдгрддी рдоुрд▓рдЧी рдЖрд╡рдбрдд рдЕрд╕рд▓ी рддрд░ рднрдЧोрд░िрдпाрдЪा рдлाрдпрджा рдШेрдКрди рддो рддिрдЪ्рдпा рдЪेрд╣рд▒्рдпाрд╡рд░ рдЧुрд▓ाрд▓ рд▓ाрдКрди рд▓рдЧ्рдиाрдЪा рдк्рд░рд╕्рддाрд╡ рдаेрд╡рддो, рдоुрд▓ीрд▓ा рдк्рд░рд╕्рддाрд╡ рдоाрди्рдп рдЕрд╕рд▓ं рддрд░ рддी рдд्рдпाрдЪ्рдпा рдЪेрд╣рд▒्рдпाрд╡рд░ рдЧुрд▓ाрд▓ рд▓ाрдКрди рдЖрдгि рдд्рдпांрдиी рджिрд▓ेрд▓ा рдкाрди рдЦाрдКрди рд▓рдЧ्рдиाрдЪा рдк्рд░рд╕्рддाрд╡ рд╕्рд╡ीрдХाрд░ рдХрд░рддे. рджोрдШांрдЪ्рдпा рд╣ोрдХाрд░ा рдиंрддрд░ рдд्рдпांрдЪे рдШрд░рдЪे рд▓ोрдХं рдкुрдврдЪी рдмोрд▓рдгी рдХрд░рддाрдд рдХिрд╡ां рдоुрд▓рдЧा рд╣ोрдгाрд▒्рдпा рдмाрдпрдХोрд▓ा рдЖрдкрд▓्рдпा рдШрд░ी рдкрдбूрди рдиेрддो. рдкрдбूрди рдШрд░ी рдЖрдгрд▓ेрд▓्рдпा рдоुрд▓ीрд▓ा рдоुрд▓ाрдЪे рдШрд░рдЪे рд▓ोрдХं рдЖрдиंрджाрдд рд╕्рд╡ीрдХाрд░рддाрдд. рднрдЧोрд░िрдпा рдЙрдд्рд╕рд╡ рдЖрдгि рд▓рдЧ्рдиाрдЪ्рдпा рддिрдеी рдордзे рдХाрд╣ी рджिрд╡рд╕ рдЕрд╕рд▓्рдпा рдоुрд│े рдпा рдХाрд▓ाрд╡рдзीрдд, рдоुрд▓ीрдЪ्рдпा рдШрд░рдЪ्рдпांрдЪी рд▓рдЧ्рдиाрд╕ाрдаी рд╕рд╣рдорддी рдШेрддрд▓ी рдЬाрддे рдЖрдгि рд╕рдЧрд│्рдпांрдЪ्рдпा рд╕рд╣рдорддीрдиे рд▓рдЧ्рди рдкाрд░ рдкрдбрддं. рд▓рдЧ्рдиाрд▓ा рдоुрд▓ीрдЪ्рдпा рд╡рдбीрд▓ांрдЪा рдирдХाрд░ рдЕрд╕рд▓ा рддрд░ рдЕрд╢ा рд╡ेрд│ेрд╕ рд▓рдЧ्рди рдоुрд▓ाрдЪ्рдпा рдШрд░ीрдЪ рд▓ाрд╡рд▓ा рдЬाрддो. рджोрди्рд╣ी рдкрд░िрд╕्рддीрдаीрдд рд▓рдЧ्рдиाрдЪा рдЦрд░्рдЪ рдоुрд▓ाрд▓ा рдХрд░ाрд╡ा рд▓ाрдЧрддो. рд▓рдЧ्рдиाрдЪ्рдпा рд╢ेрд╡рдЯрдЪ्рдпा рд╢्рд░рдгा рдкрд░्рдпंрдд рдоाрдд्рд░ рдоुрд▓рдЧी рд▓рдЧ्рдиाрд▓ा рдирдХाрд░ рджेрдК рд╢рдХрддे рдЖрдгि  рдЖрдкрд▓्рдпा рдЖрдИ рд╡рдбीрд▓ां рдХрдбे рдкрд░рдд рдЬाрдК рд╢рдХрддे рд╣ी рд╕्рд╡рддंрдд्рд░рддा рдЖрджिрд╡ाрд╕ी рд╕рдоाрдЬाрдиे рдоुрд▓ीрд▓ा рджिрд▓े рдЖрд╣े рдЖрдгि рдпाрдЪा рд╡ाрдкрд░ рдоुрд▓ी рдХрд░рддाрдд рд╣े рдорд╣рдд्рд╡ाрдЪं. рдЖрджिрд╡ाрд╕ी рдЖрдкрд▓्рдпा рдкेрдХ्рд╖ा рд╡िрдЪाрд░ाрдд рдХिрддी рддрд░ी рдкुрдвे рдЖрд╣ेрдд рдЕрд╕े рд╡ाрдЯाрдпрд▓ा рд▓ाрдЧрд▓े.
рд╕ूрд░्рдп рдоाрд╡рд│рд▓ा рдЖрдгि рд╕ोंрдбрд╡ाрдЪा рднрдЧोрд░िрдпा рд╕ंрдкрд▓ा. рджुрд╕рд▒्рдпा рджिрд╡рд╢ी рд╡ाрд▓рдкूрд░ рдЧाрд╡ाрдд рднрдЧोрд░िрдпा рднрд░рдгाрд░ рд╣ोрддा. рд╡ाрд▓рдкूрд░рдЪा рдоेрд│ा рд╕ोंрдбрд╡ा рдкेрдХ्рд╖ा рдоोрдаा рдЖрдгि рдкाрд░ंрдкाрд░िрдХ рджिрд╕рд▓ा. рдпा рдоेрд│्рдпाрдд рджेрд╢ рд╡िрджेрд╢ाрддूрди рдЕрдиेрдХ рдкрд░्рдпрдЯрдХ рдЖрджिрд╡ाрд╕ी рдХрд▓ा рдЖрдгि рд╕ंрд╕्рдХृрддी рдмрдШाрдпрд▓ा рд╕ाрдоिрд▓ рдЭाрд▓े рд╣ोрддे. рд╕рдЧрд│्рдпांрдЪी рдлोрдЯो рдХाрдврдг्рдпाрдЪी рддрдбрдЬोрдб рдЪाрд▓ू рд╣ोрддी.


рднрдЧोрд░िрдпा рдмрдж्рджрд▓ рдЕрдзिрдХ рдоाрд╣िрддी рдоिрд│рд╡рдг्рдпा рдХрд░िрддा рд╕ंрдз्рдпाрдХाрд│ी рдоेрд│ा рд╕ंрдкрд▓्рдпा рдиंрддрд░ рдЖрдо्рд╣ी рд╡ाрд▓рдкूрд░рдЪ्рдпा рд╕рд░рдкंрдЪ рд╣рдЬाрд░ी рдмाрдИ рдЦрд░рдд рдЖрдгि рдд्рдпांрдЪा рдоुрд▓рдЧा рдЬрдпрджीрдк рд╕िंрдЧ, рдкूрд░्рд╡ рд╕рд░рдкंрдЪ рдпांрдЪ्рдпाрд╢ी рднेрдЯ рдШाрддрд▓ी. рднрдЧोрд░िрдпा рд╣ूрди рдкрдбूрди рдЬाрдКрди рд▓рдЧ्рди рдХрд░ाрдпрдЪी рдкрдж्рдзрдд рдЕрдЬूрдирд╣ी рдк्рд░рдЪрд▓िрдд рдЕрд╕рд▓ी рддрд░ी рдмрджрд▓рдд्рдпा рдХाрд│ा рдк्рд░рдоाрдгे рд╢िрдХ्рд╖рдгाрдЪे рдорд╣рдд्рд╡ рддрд░ुрдг рдкिрдвीрд▓ा рдкрдЯрд▓्рдпा рдоुрд│े рдЖрддा рдкूрд░्рдг рд╢िрдХ्рд╖рдг рдЭाрд▓्рдпा рдиंрддрд░рдЪ рд▓рдЧ्рди рдХрд░рддाрдд, рд╢िрдХ्рд╖рдгाрдд рдоुрд▓ांрдкेрдХ्рд╖ा рдоुрд▓ींрдЪी рд╕ंрдЦ्рдпा рдЬाрд╕्рдд рдЕрд╕ूрди, рд╢िрдХрд▓ेрд▓ी рдЖрдгि рдиोрдХрд░ी рдХрд░рдгाрд░ी рд╕ूрди рдоिрд│ाрд╡ी рдЕрд╢ी рдкрд╕ंрддी рдЭाрд▓ी рдЖрд╣े рдЕрд╕े рдд्рдпांрдиी рд╕ांрдЧिрддрд▓े. рд╢िрдХ्рд╖рдг рдордз्рдпेрдЪ рд╕ोрдбрдгे рдЖрдгि рд╡्рдпрд╕рди рдпा рдЧंрднीрд░ рд╕рдорд╕्рдпा рдЗрдХрд│рдЪ्рдпा рддрд░ूрдгां рдордзे рдЖрд╣े рдЕрд╕े рддे рдкुрдвे рдо्рд╣рдгाрд▓े. рдЧाрд╡ाрдд рд░ोрдЬрдЧाрд░ рд╡ाрдврд╡рдг्рдпा рдХрд░िрддा рддрд░ुрдгांрд╕ाрдаी рд╢ाрд╕рдиाрдЪ्рдпा рд╕рд╣рдХाрд░्рдпाрдиे рдХौрд╢рд▓्рдп рд╡िрдХाрд╕ рдк्рд░рд╢िрдХ्рд╖рдг рдХाрд░्рдпрдХ्рд░рдо рд╕ुрд░ु рдХेрд▓्рдпाрд╡рд░ рдЧाрд╡ाрдд рд░ोрдЬрдЧाрд░ рдиिрд░्рдоाрдг рд╣ोрдИрд▓ рдЕрд╢ी рдд्рдпांрдЪी рдЕрдкेрдХ्рд╖ा рдЖрд╣े.

рднрдЧोрд░िрдпा рдмрдж्рдж्рд▓ рдоाрд╣िрддी рджिрд▓्рдпाрдЪे рдЖрднाрд░ рдоाрдгूрди рдЖрдо्рд╣ी рдд्рдпांрдЪा рдиिрд░ोрдк рдШेрддрд▓ा рдЖрдгि рдХैрдо्рдк рдордзे рдаेрд╡рдг्рдпाрд╕ рдЖрд▓ेрд▓्рдпा рд╕ांрд╕्рдХृрддिрдХ рдХाрд░्рдпрдХ्рд░рдоाрдд्рд░ рд╕ाрдоिрд▓ рдЭाрд▓ो. рдХाрд░्рдпрдХ्рд░рдоाрдЪा рдЖрдиंрдж рдЬिрд▓्рд╣ाрддрд▓े рд╡рд░िрд╖्рда рдЕрдзिрдХाрд░ी, рдд्рдпांрдЪा рдкрд░िрд╡ाрд░ рдЖрдгि рдЬрд╡рд│рдЪ्рдпा рдЧाрд╡ाрддрд▓े рдмрд░ेрдЪ рдЖрджिрд╡ाрд╕ी рд▓ोрдХांрдиी рдШेрддрд▓ा. рдЗрдерд▓ी рд╕ंрд╕्рдХृрддी, рдЗрдерд▓े рд╡िрдЪाрд░ рдЖрдгि рд▓ोрдХांрдЪ्рдпा рд╕्рд╡рднाрд╡ाрддрд▓ा рд╕ाрджे рдкрдгा рдиे рдЖрдордЪे рдордг рдЬिंрдХूрди рдШेрддрд▓े рдЖрдгि рдкुрдврдЪ्рдпा рд╡рд░्рд╖ी рдкुрди्рд╣ा рдкрд░рдд рдпेрдК рдЕрд╕े рдордиाрдд рдирдХ्рдХी рдХрд░ूрди рдЖрдо्рд╣ी рднрдЧोрд░िрдпाрдЪा рдиिрд░ोрдк рдШेрддрд▓ा. 

Tuesday, 5 April 2016

Bhagoria revelry still lingers

 Bhagoria revelry still lingers

 Walpur, District Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh, India



‪#‎Bhagoria‬ or 'Bhoguria' is an annual ‪#‎festival‬ celebrated by the Bhils, Bhilala's, Patliya's and other tribal communities of Alirajpur, Jhabua and surrounding districts of Madhya Pradesh in Central India.

The festival is celebrated every year a week before Holi. A fair is held in different villages of the region each day for six days in a row. Most of the tribals here are labourer's working in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and other parts of Madhya Pradesh. These people return to their native villages for harvesting in the month of March. The fair is a celebration of their homecoming, end of harvesting and the start of the wedding season. 



Importance of Bhagoria can be gauged by the fact that every household looks forward to participating in the fair. Preparations start weeks in advance with young boys and girls buying new clothes and jewellery especially for the ocassion. 
The fair is a treat to watch and is every photographer's delight. Rainbow of colours descend upon the place turning it into an oasis of colours in an otherwise barren land. It is a sight to watch young tribal girls decked up in colourful dresses, adorned with loads of beautiful silver jewellery enter the fair in groups, escorted by an elder of the community. Each group of women belonging to a particular village wear same colour clothes.The male and female escorts wear the same colour outfit as that of the group so as to make themselves easily identifiable in a crowd.




                                                           Significance of Bhagoria

There are different versions on the significance of Bhagoria , one being a place to un wind and enjoy as is done in any village fair. People come to the fair to buy jewellery, clothes, article made from bamboo, utensils, fruits, etc. There are rides to enjoy, people get themselves tattooed The other version is that the fair is used as a meeting place by young boys and girls. A boy may propose to the girl he likes by offering a Pan, if the girl reciprocates the feelings then she shows her willingness by accepting the Pan so offered and both apply red powder ( Gulal ) on each other’s face. Thereafter both may or may not decide to elope, depending upon how the girl feels her family would react to the match.
In case they decide to elope, the boy takes the girl to his house where his choice of bride is accepted by all and the marriage is usually solemnized after Holi. The period before marriage is used by both the parties to test compatibility. The girl has liberty to back off if she does not want to go ahead with marriage and goes back to her parents house. 




Men dance to the beat of drums and dhols. Taadi a juice of palm wine tree is consumed by people of all age groups in this part of the region. Collecting taadi and selling it to the people passing by the village is probably the main occupation of the people here as the land is barren with very less agriculture. 



The people here have started to realised the importance of education and in young generation are studying in schools and colleges of the neighbouring districts, Girls out number boys in this field.
As our day came to an end we left Bhagoria with colourful memories and a promise to return next year.



Bhagoria festival promoted by M P Tourism provides excellent arrangements for a comfortable stay in a camp site near Walpur. With cultural entertainment programs held in the camp for tourists in the evening we got a glimpse of the traditional dance and music as well.