PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
The famous Jhanda Fair of Dehradun would commence on Sunday with the hoisting of holy Jhanda (flag) in presence of a large number of devotees at historic Darbar sahib premises. The programme will begin with the bringing down of old Jhande Ji on Sunday morning.
On Sunday morning, the flagpole will be brought down. The sacred pole would be given a bath with milk, curd, butter, Gangajal and ‘Panchgavyon’. It would be followed with the ceremony of putting on ‘Gilaafs’ (cloth covers) over the Jhande ji and its hoisting.
In the afternoon, the Jhande Ji will be raised under the guidance of the head of the Shri Darbar Sahib, Mahant Devendra Dass. The administration of Darbar Sahib and district administration of Dehradun have made all the preparations for successful hosting of the mega fair.
On Saturday, Mahant Devendra Das delivered ‘Gurumantra’ to the devotees at Darbar Sahib. Explaining the significance of ‘Guru Mahima’ he said that if a person follows the path described by Guru, he attains the feeling of heaven on earth. He asked the devotees to keep away from social evils and said that they should ensure that they play significant roles in building a prosperous society and nation. He said that a Guru is the one who removes the darkness of ignorance and spreads the light of knowledge.
The FAIR
The 15 day long fair is celebrated to commemorate the birthday and arrival of Guru Ram Rai at Doon valley in the year 1676. Guru Ram Rai was the eldest son of Shri Guru Har Rai the seventh Guru of Sikhs. He performed some miracles in the court of Aurungzeb which caused his expulsion from Sikhism; King of Garhwal Raja Fatheh Shah who was a friend of Mughal emperor allotted some land in Doon valley to Guru Ram Rai. In the year 1676 Guru Ram arrived at Doon valley on his birthday on the fifth day after Holi and set his Camp (Dera) and the day is celebrated as the Jhanda fair.
