CM says Bagwal exemplifies discipline and brotherhood
PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Champawat
Thousands of devotees enthusiastically participated in the historic Bagwal fair on the occasion of Rakshabandhan at the Shaktipeeth Maa Varahi Dham in Devidhura on Friday. As per the tradition, the devotees belonging to four Khams and seven Thoks played the Bagwal by pelting fruits.
The Bagwal began with prayers offered by the head priest of the goddess Varahi temple. Following this, Bagwalis from Walik, Chamyal, Gahadwal and Lamgadiya Kham entered the grounds wearing traditional costumes and carrying shields. Amid blowing of conch shells and chants of Maa Varahi, they started pelting of fruits and throwing flowers on one another. This year, the Bagwal began at 1:48 pm and ended at 1:55 pm, lasting approximately eight minutes.
It is pertinent to mention here that in the past the devotees used to indulge in stone pelting as part of the ritual but in recent times the old tradition of pelting stones has been replaced by fruits on the advice of the authorities.
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also participated in the Bagwal. He prayed for the happiness and prosperity of the people of the State by paying obeisance at the temple of Goddess Varahi. He described Bagwal as a vibrant symbol of Uttarakhand’s rich folk culture, faith and community participation.
He said that the Bagwal exemplifies discipline and brotherhood. After the Bagwal, all participants embraced each other, conveying a message of harmony.
In his address, the CM said that the government is pursuing development projects while preserving religious and historical heritage.
In his address, the CM said that under the Manaskhand Mandir Mala Mission, major religious sites of the Kumaon region are being renovated. In the Devidhura temple complex, the Garhwal Kham Bhawan is being renovated at a cost of Rs 4.27 crore while the Rankochi temple is being reconstructed at a cost of Rs 4.57 crore. Furthermore, the beautification of the Ghatotkach temple, the construction of the Ghatku Hidimba temple, the bathing Ghat at the Sapteshwar Mahadev Temple and the Ladhaundhura fair site have been completed.
The CM announced that Devidhura will be made a Nagar Panchayat and also announced that a multi-level parking lot will soon be constructed in Devidhura at a cost of Rs 9.80 crore. He added that by declaring the Bagwal fair a State Fair,”its prestige has been enhanced and arrangements have been further strengthened.
He said that the primary objective of religious tourism is to strengthen the local economy and promote employment and self-employment opportunities.
Cabinet minister Ram Singh Kaida, Union minister of State Ajay Tamta, district Panchayat president Anand Singh Adhikari, Head of the Maa Varahi Temple committee Hiraballabh Joshi and others attended the programme.
