Thursday, 11 August 2022 | PNS | New Tehri
Bhatuj Mela was celebrated in Kedarnath on Wednesday night, a day before Rakshabandhan in accordance with traditions. New food grains are offered to Baba Kedar on this occasion. Managing preparations for the festivity, the temple committee had also decorated the temple with about 11 quintals of flowers on the occasion. The Bhatuj (Annakoot) fair is celebrated every year a day before Rakshabandhan. Like every year, this year also this tradition was celebrated late on Wednesday night. It is believed about Bhatuj Mela that the “poison” in the new grains is accepted by the benevolent lord Shiva himself. This tradition is believed to have been going on for centuries in Kedarnath. A day before Rakshabandhan, after the night Arti in Kedarnath temple, first of all, the chief priest of Kedarnath temple offers special worship to the Swayambhu Linga of lord Shiva. After that, by applying the paste of new grains like Barnyard millet, rice, kauni etc, the priests adorn the Swayambhu Linga.
Gangadhar Linga, the chief priest of Kedarnath Dham, told that anointing of the Shiva Linga at Kedarnath would begin after 9 PM on Wednesday night and continue till late in the night. Devotees will be able to see the lord in this form till 4 AM on Thursday. On Thursday, on the auspicious occasion of Rakshabandhan, the cooked rice on the Swayambhu Linga will be taken off and immersed in the Mandakini river. It is believed that Lord Shiva absorbs the poison from the new grains in himself for the welfare of the people.
