Fairs or Melas in Punjabi are
synonymous with the joy and gaiety; and in the countryside where
the life follows a hard routine, nothing is more welcome to the
people than the prospect of a festival or a mela. A rural mela
in Punjab has a great significance. It is not just an occasion
for festivity and mass gathering but it is an unbounded
expression of the spirit of the inner freedom, of creative
pride, of zest for life, and of colorful traditions of the
people of Punjab.
People come to participate in fairs from far-off places,
trudging dusty distances. Most of the fairs are held in memory
of a saint or a pir, and people from all communities living in a
village participate in it. Men women and children of all ages,
classes and creeds flock in hundreds and enjoy the numerous
fascinating features of the fair; races, wrestling bouts,
singing, acrobatics, etc. They play on folk instruments, such as
vanjli and algoza.
A fair is enchantingly
picturesque. A bustling market springs up in which articles of
food and products of local handicrafts-toys, glass bangles, and
an assortment of all kinds of articles for domestic use are on
display. There is fun and frolic all round. The gay ones in
small groups sing boli’s and perform folk-dances to the strain
of the vanjli and algoza. The sturdy ones test their strength in
wrestling fields. It is a feast of color and gaiety and fully
reflects the joy of the community. The fairs of the Punjab are
linked with its culture and reflect by and large the various
phases of its life.
Distinct Punjabi traits are depicted in them. They may be
divided into the following types
Seasonal fairs
Mythical fairs
Fairs held in honor of saints
Fairs connected with festivals
Basant Panchami is the
most famous of the seasonal fairs. It heralds the advent of
spring. Fields of mustard present a unique and colorful sight
all over rural Punjab, which looks like a newly wedded damsel
resplendent in her gorgeous golden yellow. There is a spirit of
gay abandon in the air and the Punjabi is rightly infected with
the spirit. His heart and soul become one with nature and he
expresses his elevated spirit in song and dance.
The
Basant fair is held in many
villages of' the Punjab. People put on yellow costumes
appropriate to the season. One huge mass of mustard blossom
seems walking down to the fair. Before Partition the main fair
was celebrated in Lahore at the samadi (tomb) of Hakeekat Rai
who, though a mere lad, preferred martyrdom at the hands of the
Mughuls to swerving from his chosen path of duty. Kite-flying
was a popular entertainment of the people on this occasion.
Often on the Basant Panchami day, if there is a good breeze, one
could see nothing but innumerable multi-colored kites in the
sky, swishing over in all directions.
Baisakhi
is a seasonal festival with a special accent. It
is celebrated all over the State on the first of Baisakhi. This
is the time when harvest is gathered in and the farmer exults in
the fulfillment of his year's hard work. He joins the
merry-making with full gusto and does not mind walking for miles
to be able to do so. Since this fair is also an expression of
prosperity, singing and dancing constitute its most enchanting
features. The Punjab's famous Bhangra and Giddha are
inextricably linked with this festival
Many fairs in the Punjab are held near the tombs and shrines of
pirs. These fairs must have originated in a spirit of devotion
to those saints and sages. The most famous among such fairs are
the Chhapar fair, the Jarag fair, and the Roshni fair of
Jagranyan.
Chhapar Fair
This fair is held on Anand Chaudas, the 14th day of the bright
half of Bhadon in honor of Gugga Pir. A big shrine known as 'Gugge
di Marhi' has been built in his memory. He was a Chauhan Rajput
and, according to legend, he gently descended into the bosom of
Mother Earth along with his steed, and never returned. He was
believed to possess special power over all kinds of snakes.
On the day this fair is held, villagers scoop the earth seven
times because they believe that in this way they invoke Gugga
Pir to protect them against snakes. This shrine has a reputation
for curing people of snake-bite. It is strongly believed that if
a person is bitten by a snake, all that has to be done is to
take him to the shrine and lay him beside it, he is then sure to
be cured. This shrine was built in 1890. This fair provides
occasion for folk-songs and folk-dances. Young people form
themselves into groups and go about dancing and singing for
hours. The fair lasts three days.
Gugga Naumi
Gugga Naumi, which is a festival in honor of Gugga Pir, also
falls in Bhadon. The pir's devotees paint his image on the wall
in turmeric, as also paint a snake in black right in front of
it, and then perform the ritual of worship. People also pour
milk and butter milk into the holes of snakes. Sweet sevian is
the special dish of the festival. The Lalbagis who are devout
followers of Gugga Pir, also known as Zahir Pir, erect a long
pole covered with flags, colored cloth, coconuts, etc., and
render worship to it as to a God. The devotees carry the pir's
standard from house to house and beg. The disciple who carries
the standard is known as the pir's horse. The privilege of
carrying the standard is much coveted.
Jarag Fair
This fair is held in Jarag, a village in tehsil Pail. It is held
in Chet (March-April) in honor of the goddess Seetla. It is also
known as the Baheria fair. Sweet gulgulas (jaggery cakes fried
in oil) are prepared one day earlier and then given in offering
to the goddess and thereafter to the donkey who is her favorite.
After propitiating the goddess, the family members cat the
remaining savory gulgulas with great relish. This festival is
observed in Malwa and Powad but the fair is held only in Jarag.
There is a pond where the devotees of Seetla gather. They scoop
the earth and raise a small hillock, which is accorded the
status of the goddess's shrine. Potters specially bring their
donkeys decked in colored blankets.
The Roshni Fair (Fair of the
lights)
This fair is held in Jagranvan from the 14th to the 16th of
Phagun in honor of a Muslim Pir, Abdul Kader Jalani. It is held
in the vicinity of his tomb. Although it is a Muslim fair in
origin, the Hindus of the area also flock to the site of this
shrine. Even after Partition, this fair has been held regularly.
It is called the 'fair of lights' because innumerable devotees
who come to visit the place light earthen lamps at the shrine of
the pir. The lights are visible from long distances. It is
believed that whatever wish one sincerely makes at the shrine of
this pir is granted. Young people sing bolian and perform
dances, thus adding to the gaiety and glamour of the fair. It is
sheer delight to villagers performing dances and singing songs
to the sweet strains of the flute and the one-stringed
instrument called Toomba.
Haider Sheikh at Malerkotla
A big fair is held for four days every year in Malerkotla at the
shrine of Haider Sheikh. It is largely attended. It is believed
that if childless women visit the shrine of Haider Sheikh and
propitiate the pir, their wish for progeny is granted. Another
belief is that if someone overpowered by a malignant spirit or
under the effect of an evil shadow comes here during these days,
he will be cured if he propitiates the pir at the shrine and
offers rots (large sweet cakes) specially cooked.
Dhesian Sang
On the 14th of Chet, a fair is held in Dhesian Sang (Philaur) at
the shrine and in honor of Baba Sang.
Khwaja Roshan
Another fair is held at the tomb of Khwaja Roshan in Har on
every first Thursday after the new moon.
Mir Shah Husain
In Nakodar a Hindu-Muslim fair is held at village Kara at the
shrine of Mir Shah Husain, who, according to legend, lived about
five hundred years ago.
Baba Jawahar Singh
At Khatkar Kalan (Nawanshehar) a fair is held on Baisakhi day in
memory of Baba Jawahar Singh.
Shiy Chaudas
Shiy Chaudas, is held at Paddi Matwali (Nawanshehar) on the 14th
of Chet on the bank of the river Bein.
Nathana
In March, at Nathana (Ferozepur) a fair is held in honor of a
Hindu saint, Kalu. He is said to have dug a large pond in one
scoop and deposited the dug-up earth in a close by heap, which
now forms the object of popular veneration
Muktsar Fair
It is one of the largest Sikh fairs held in the Punjab. The fair
is held in the middle of January on the Makar Sankranti day. It
is one of the great Sikh festivals, and lasts for three days. On
the first day the worshippers bathe in the sacred tank. On the
second day the people go in a procession (mohalla) to the three
holy mounds which lie to the north-west of the town, namely,
Rikab Sahib, Tibbi Sahib, and Mukhwanjana Sahib. The Rikab
Sahib, a. mound formed out of the handfuls of earth taken from
the tank by the faithful and thrown there, commemorates the spot
where the Guru's stirrup broke. The procession goes up the slope
to the Tibbi Sahib which, crowned with a Gurudwara, is the mound
where Guru Gobind Singh stood and aimed his arrows at the
imperial forces. The devotees then proceed to the Mukhwanjana
Sahib where the Guru is said to have cleaned his teeth with a
tooth-stick. Prayers are offered here and the devotees then
return. This mound has been built in the same way as the Rikab
Sahib. On their return trip people visit the Tambu Sahib where
the Guru's tent was pitched before the fight started, the Shahid
Ganj, which is the samadhi of the forty martyrs, and the Darbar
Sahib, where the Guru held his darbar after the cremation of the
slain. The festival is in commemoration of a battle fought in
1705-06 by Guru Gobind Singh against the pursuing imperial
forces, which overtook him here and cut his followers to pieces.
The Guru himself escaped and had the bodies of his followers
disposed of with the usual rites. He declared that they had all
obtained mukti and promised the same blessings to all his
followers, who should thereafter, on the anniversary of that
day, bathe in the Holy Pool which had been filled by rain from
heaven in answer to his prayer for water. On this spot a fine
tank was afterwards dug by Maharaja Ranjlt Singh and called
Muktsar (the pool of salvation.
Jor Mela
This mela is held in December at Sirhind(Fatehgarh Sahib). It is
celebrated in the memory of Guru Gobind Singh's younger sons who
were entombed alive here by the mughals. Today it is an
important center of pilgrimage, drawing the devout to pay
homage.
This religious fervour culminates in the exuberant festivities
of the jor mela, when hundreds of thousands of people gather
here in rememberance and devotion. Hymn and recitation of the
holy epic are sung by folk minstrels. The Guru ka Langar caters
to the milling, jostling devotees but there are also rows of
stalls offering tasty sweets and variety of exotic handicrafts,
jewellery, traditional weapons and costumes.
FESTIVALS
Holi
The most colorful and hilarious of all the festivals, which are
celebrated in, Punjab is Holi, celebrated on the full moon day
of Phagun. Holi is a festival of colors. The revelers embrace
their friends and relatives, and go out in groups, embrace their
near one another with liquid colors and gulal. A big fair known
as Hola Mohala is held at Anandpur on the next day after Holi.
People come from far-off places to join it.
Hola Mohalla
Each year, spring is ushered in by the Sikhs with the
celebration of a vigorous and colorful festival at Anandpur
Sahib. The festival is slated for the day after Holi and is
called Hola Mohalla.
It was here at Anandpur Sahib that Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth
and last guru, instituted the pahul (baptism of the Khalsas),
and elected the panj pyare (the beloved five), and militarized
his followers into the order of Nihangs (warrior-mendicants) at
this site.
This festival of the Nihangs
held at their headquarters Anandpur Sahib began as a counterpart
to Holi. Though it almost did away with the throwing of colors,
nonetheless, it is more colorful.
Martial arts like archery,
sword fencing, fancy horse-riding, tent-pegging, and the deft
handling of other contraptions of offence and defense are
displayed by the Nihangs. Spectacular and thrilling acts of
dare-devilry nimbly executed are performed. The festivities
close with a ceremonial procession taken through the township.
The langar (community feast) is open through the day and lasts
as long as there are any takers.
Dressed in along tunic of bright deep blue, an elaborate turban,
sometimes of enormous size, at times banded with strips of
bright yellow, armed with weapons of one’s liking – bows and
arrows, spears, swords and shield, muskets, guns or what have
you - the Nihang displays his skills at this festival of valor,
a pageant of the past.
Gurupurabs
The festivals held in honor of the Sikh Gurus are called
Gurupurabs. They are well spread over the year but there are
three important ones. On the full moon of Kartik the birth
anniversary of Guru Nanak is celebrated by the devotees with
great ardor. Two days earlier a non-stop reading of the Adi
Granth is started. At different places religious congregations
are held and hymns from the Granth Sahib are chanted. Large
processions and are taken out through the towns. At night
buildings are illuminated. The birth anniversary of Guru Gobind
Singh is also celebrated in a similar manner. The third
important Gurupurab is the one associated with the martyrdom of
Guru Arjan Dev.
The festivals connected with
the lunar days, Ekadashi (eleventh lunar day), Pooranmashi (full
moon), and Masya (new moon) occur every rnonth. Similarly,
Sankranti, when the sun enters the new Zodiac sign, is
celebrated on the first of every month of the Vikrarmi era with
great gusto. It is also an occasion to prepare and eat the
nicest of foods.
In the Punjab, where the Vikrami era is followed, the year
begins with Chet (March-April). On the first of this month the
arrival of the new year is celebrated by the performance of a
ritual of taking the new corn, known as ann nawan karna. Sheafs
of new corn are roasted and then the parched grain is eaten.
Everyone must have a bath on the new year day, and put on new
clothes. Delicacies like kheer and halwa are prepared and eaten.
Baisakhi
It is one of the most popular festivals of the Punjab, with
fairs held at various places. Baisakhi, the first day of the
month of Baisakh (April/May) is New Year’s Day, going by the
Saka calendar. It corresponds to April 13th of the Gregorian
calendar. Essentially it is a North Indian harvest festival, for
it is the day when the reaping of the rabi (winter crop) begins.
The jubilation at a bountiful harvest becomes the reason for
celebration.
Through celebrated all over North India, it is nowhere as
colorful as it is in Punjab, India’s granary. The joy of the
energetic Punjabis is manifest in the strenuous folk dance, the
Bhangra. This dance usually enacts the entire process of
agriculture from the tilling of the soil through harvesting. As
the beat of the dholak (drum) changes, the sequences progress.
The dance movements express ploughing, sowing, weeding, reaping
and winnowing. The final sequence shows the farmer celebrating
the harvest.
Though in real life the farmer
has to toil hard in order to win grain from the soil, this dance
shows him performing his labors with grace and ease, a smile to
his lips. Women too join the men, both at reaping during the
day, and in the many dances and folk songs at evening. Baisakhi
has a special significance for the Hindus. It is believed that
the Ganga descended to the earth on this auspicious day. The
Kumbha is held every twelve years at Hardwar on this occasion.
For the Sikhs the day has a deep religious meaning. At Anandpur
this day in 1699 AD, the tenth and last Guru, Gobind Singh,
baptized the Sikhs into the Khalsa, meaning the Elect. This
baptism of the sword, called pahul, led to the creating of the
panch pyare, the Beloved Five. The Sikhs became a militant order
so as to meet the challenges of persecution at the hands of the
Mughal rulers. The Khalsa was to adopt the panch kakkas, (the
five K’s), Kesh (unshorn hair), kanga (small boxwood comb in
their hair), kaccha (a pair of shorts), kara (a steel bangle),
and a kirpan (a short dagger), which have since become their
distinctive signs. The Guru enthused their valor by calling them
Singh (lion), now a suffix to every Sikh’s name. To commemorate
the day of the initiation of the sword, a large number of Sikhs
flock to Harmandir Sahib (the Golden Temple, Amritsar), their
major shrine. They take a dip in the holy Amrit sarovar (pool of
nectar), the lake in the midst of which the Golden Temple
stands. Religious service follows in the form of Akhand Paath –
an end chanting of the holy
On the eleventh day of the
bright half of Jeth (May-June) falls Nirjala Ekadashi, which is
better known in the Punjab as Nimani Kasti. Hindus, especially
women, observe fast on this day and smear the body with powdered
sandalwood. This fast is very hard to keep because for the whole
day one has to abstain even from water. Charitably inclined
people put up stalls for free distribution of sweetened and
chilled water. The stalls, known as chhabils, are a common sight
on this day
Teeyan
Teeyan, a festival of the rainy season, is celebrated on the 3rd
of the bright fortnight of Sawan (July-August). The four months
from Harh (June-July) to the first half of Assu (September) are
called Chaumasa. During this period the sky generally remains
overcast and the weather shifts between sultriness and rainfall.
Rains bring the longed-for relief to the heat-stricken Punjabis,
and the rhythm of the little and big drops of rain instills in
them the enthusiasm which must seek expression in fun and
frolic. A newly-married girl looks forward to the rainy days
when a brother or some other male relative from the parental
home may come to escort her to her father's place. This reversal
from bride to being just a daughter again is such a liberating
and thrilling experience that it cannot be put into words. One
day before the Teeyan, girls apply henna to their hands and
feet, and on the day of the festival they put on their best
clothes and go out to the fair. The fair resounds with the songs
of love and the rhythm of dance. The songs are known as Teeyan
songs. The Giddha dance has become a regular and most enchanting
feature of this festival. At home women make kheer, a dish
specially associated with Sawan.
Rakhi
In Bhadon, on the day of the full moon, the Rakhi festival is
celebrated. On this day sisters tie the multicolored thread on
the right wrist of their brothers. So long as a sister has not
tied the rakhi to her brother, she is not supposed to eat
anything. After she has done so she offers some sweets to her
brother and he in return gives her some gift or money. Rakhi is
meant to remind the brother of his promise to protect his sister
whenever she needs this protection. The true origin of this
festival is, however, lost in antiquity.
Dussehra
The Dussehra festival, as in most other parts of India, is
celebrated in a big way. This festival marks the victory of good
over evil. Big tall effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarna and Meghnath
are burnt at a large number of places. During the Nauratas Ram
Lila is organized at innumerable places in the State. This song
and drama has, from year to year, contributed largely to the
continuance of the tradition of folk-drama in India
Karva Chauth
In Kartik, on the fourth lunar day falls Karva Chauth. On this
day married women observe a fast and pray for the long life of
their husbands. Sometimes even unmarried girls observe this fast
and pray for their husbands-to-be. In a way this is the
mother-in-law's day too, because it is customary on this day for
the daughter-in-law to present her offerings-(Baya) in the form
of money and eatables.
Devuthan
On the eleventh lunar day in this month falls the festival of
Devuthan (waking up the deities). Metal plates are beaten in
order to awaken the deities who are supposed to go to sleep
between the summer harvest and the first ploughing after the
start of the autumnal rains.
Diwali
"Pray to God on this beautiful occasion of Diwali to
give us light, to give us understanding, so that we may know
what pleaseth thee, and may all prosper by the Grace."
A state, whose name is synonymous with exuberance, prosperity
and an intense passion for life, Punjab or 'Panj Aab' literally
meaning five rivers, is, as it were, the very heart of the
country. The lightening of lamps on festival of Diwali is a way
of paying obeisance to god for attainment of peace, love,
wealth, health and knowledge. And on Diwali festival night
people worship God and Goddesses and place Diyas (earthen lamps)
in the home, in verandahs, courtyards, and gardens, as well on
outer walls and on rooftops. It is time for Pooja and tradition
and also time for fun and revelry.
In Punjab, Diwali Festival is the time for everyone to rejoice,
looking forward to a bright future. Enthusiastically enjoyed by
people of every religion, it's magical and radiant touch creates
an atmosphere of joy and festivity. Diwali, festival of lights,
symbolizes the victory of righteousness and lifting of spiritual
darkness. The preparations of Diwali begin well in advance.
People start decorating their homes, preparing sweets, thousand
of lamps are lit to create a world of fantasy. Each house
entrance is made colorful with lovely traditional motifs of "Rangoli"
designs to welcome Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
In villages cattle are adorned and worshiped by farmers as they
form the main source of their income. In the south, cows are
offered special veneration as they supposed to be the
incarnation of goddess Laxmi and therefore, they are adorned and
worshiped on this day. In Punjab, winter crops are sown and the
day following Diwali is celebrated as Tikka. On Tikka day, with
saffron paste and rice, sisters place an auspicious mark on
their brother's forehead, gesturing to ward off all harms from
her brother.
Diwali is also the anniversary of Guru Hargobind ji being
released from the prison at Gwalior Fort. In was on this day in
1619 A D. Diwali of Amritsar was out-of-the-world. Today, the
entire Golden Temple is illuminated with traditional lamps of
different colors during Diwali. The reflection of the temple in
the shimmering water of the holy pool binds the eye, to the
many-a-splendored pageant. Fire works display by the traditional
professionals recreates the glory of the times gone past.
Earthen lamps
or candles are lighted over buildings all over the State. People
celebrate the festival with great gusto. Houses are white-washed
days ahead of it, new clothes are purchased and sweets of all
kinds are prepared. People worship Goddess Lakshmi with an
offering of sweets and silver coins. Thereafter they distribute
sweets among friends and relatives. It is believed that on this
night Goddess Lakshmi in the company of Vidmata (goddess of
fate) takes a round of every house and wherever she takes a
fancy, she bestows immense prosperity.
In the Golden Temple of
Amritsar, Diwali is celebrated with great eclat. Earthen lamps
are lighted all round the holy tank and their undulating
reflections in the water look extremely fascinating. Sikhs
started celebrating Diwali at Amritsar from the time of their
Sixth Master, Guru Hargobind. When he rescued fifty-two rajas
from imperial detention in the fort of Gwalior and reached
Amritsar, the residents there welcomed him by illuminating the
whole-city.
Lohri
Lohri, which comes on the last day of Poh (December-January), is
another extremely popular festival. A few days before it arrives
youngsters get together in groups and go round their localities
singing folk-songs connected with Lohri and collecting fuel and
money for the bonfire. This is a special day for making
offerings to fire. When fire is lit up in the evening, orthodox
men and women go round it, pour offerings into it, and bow
before it in reverence. The first Lohri for a new bride, or a
new-born babe, is enthusiastically celebrated, and sweets are
distributed.
One of the stories behind the celebration of this festival goes
like this;
Somewhere between Gujaranwala
and Sialkot in Pakistan now, there was a thick forest called
Rakh. There used to live a Muslim Dacoit named Dulla Bhatti, the
Robinhood of Punjab. He was brave, generous and provided maximum
help to everyone in distress. During the reign of Jahangir, a
middle class Hindu who was a jealous and a cunning man spread a
rumor that his niece was very beautiful and would do credit to
muslim harem. On hearing this, the mughal officers wanted to
carry her off forcibely. The girls father was extreamly worried
and sought the protection of Dulla Bhatti. Dulla at once got her
married to a young Hindu boy at a simple ceremony in the forest.
He lit the sacred fire in
keeping with the Hindu custom. Since there was no priest to
chant the holy mantras, he broke into a hiliarious song composed
extepore to add chear to the occasion. This song is sung even
today on the occasion.
The song goes ;
Sunder mundriye Ho
Tera kaun bachera Ho
Dhulla bhatti wala Ho
Dulle dhi vaiahi Ho
Ser Shakar Pai Ho
Kudi de boje pai Ho
Kudi da lal pataka Ho
Kudi da salu pata Ho
Salu kaun samete Ho
Chacha gal dese Ho
Chache churi kuti Ho
Jimindara luti Ho
Jimindara sado Ho
Gin gin paule lao Ho
Ik paula reh gaya
Sepai fadh kei lai gaya
Sepai ne mari it
Maghi
Next day after Lohri comes Maghi, also called Makar Yonkranti
(entry of the sun in the sign or Capricorn). It is very popular
with the punjabis. On this day fairs are held at many places.
The people go out for a holy dip and give away a lot of charity.
The special dish of the day is kheer cooked in sugarcane juice.
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