PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ New Tehri
The historic Raj Maun fair in Jaunpur, Tehri district, was held on Saturday with enthusiastic participation of a large number of people. Thousands of men, women and children reached the Maun fair, fished in the Aglad river and performed Jaunpuri Jaunsari traditional Raso Tandi dance to the beats of Dhol Damau.
However, due to the strong current, people faced considerable difficulties in catching fish. Despite this, a large number of fish were caught.
During this year’s Maun fair, villagers from the Patidar Athjula belt poured Timru powder into the Maun River. When the fish fainted, people scrambled to catch them.
This Maun Mela in the Aglad river of Nainbag has been going on since the monarchy era.
However, due to various reasons, the Maun Mela was discontinued for a while. It was restarted in 1949 and continues ever since.
Every year, different villages in the region are given the responsibility of preparing Timru powder for the Maun fair, who are called the Patidars of Maun. They collect the leaves, seeds, stems and bark of Timru a month in advance and dry them in the sun. After roasting it on low flame and grinding it finely in a Panchakkki Gharat, the Timru powder is prepared for the Maun fair. The Patidars of the Maun fair reach the fair site by dancing Tandi Raso with the Jaunpuri traditional musical instruments Dhol, Damau and Ransingha.
The experts said that Timru powder does not harm aquatic life. After being applied, fish become unconscious for a short time and then revive.
In the Maun Mela, people from Jaunpur, Jaunsar, Pachhadun, Vikas Nagar, Tehri and Uttarkashi come in large numbers to catch fish. And some tourists from India and abroad also come to see this unique historical Maun Mela.
