GUEST COLUMN
V P Dimri
The festival of Deepawali is called Bagwal in Uttarakhand. It has been played for a long time, but then style of celebration has changed with time. Normally, it is celebrated during three days, but in some parts of the State it is celebrated for a month. The first day of Deepawali is known as Chhoti Diwali, which is followed by the main Diwali. On the eleventh day, which happens to be Ekadashi, it is celebrated as Kansi or Igas Bagwal. Let us see how Deepawali is celebrated in Uttarakhand, based on my personal experience.
The preparation for celebrating the festival begins immediately after Durga Puja. First, we look for pine trees to prepare sticks with light locally called ‘Bheylo’. The wood of the pine tree is brought from the forest and it is cut into small pieces, and these pieces are shaped like sticks about one inch in diameter and about a foot long. These dimensions change as per the requirement. Such sticks are prepared in the thousands depending on the requirements. After this work, the big ropes to tie up five to six sticks in a bundle are prepared from the leaves of broad-leafed trees. Then a Bheylo is prepared by assembling small sticks tied to a rope which may have a length of 20 -30 feet long to play with from a distance for individual safety. These sticks are burnt and swirled around in patterns even as the person wielding them displays minor acrobatics to continue the movement. These flaming torches are used by the revellers on Chotti, main and Ekadashi Deepawali. In high altitude areas, the festival is celebrated for about a month with such flaming torches.
The second work is making Diyas for lighting the house, Gaushalas and paths during the festive nights. These are made from cow dung, which is eco-friendly. It also needs some time to dry so that it can absorb the oil prepared locally for lighting the Diyas. Wicks are made from cotton for the Diyas. The third work is a collection of flowers from nearby jungles. These are used to make garlands which are placed before god, the entrance of houses and other places. In some places in Uttarakhand, Rangoli, locally called Aipan, is used to welcome Lakshmi and other guests on the auspicious occasions. On the Deepawali days, all cows are given special attention first by villagers who worship them. The ceremony includes flowers and vibrant colours applied in patterns on the cows. Special foods are prepared with millets, which are common in Uttarakhand and are given to cows and other animals in the daytime during all Deepawali days, especially on the Chhoti, main and Ekadashi Deepawali.
Another specialty is that the Bheylo with flaming torches are first played by villagers outside their respective houses which are illuminated with Diyas. Finally, the Deepawali celebration is held by all together with Bheylo, music and dances in the open fields. It is performed till midnight. One can see similar Bheylos illuminating nearby villages during the festive nights.
However, currently, Deepawali in most parts of Uttarakhand is celebrated as in any other region of India. It is celebrated for five days with different names. First day Dhanteras, second day Chhoti Deepawali, third day main Deepawali (Lakshmi Puja), fourth day Govardhan Puja, and finally fifth day Bhai Dooj. Bheylo has been replaced by the fireworks which pollute the air and spread noise pollution in addition to also generating solid waste. We will not discuss how crackers are responsible for polluting the environment as compared to the traditional Bheylo. It would be interesting to check the air quality index on these festive nights in places where the festivals are celebrated traditionally with Bheylo.
(A Padma Shri recipient, the author is a scientist who has worked in various institutions. Views expressed are personal)
