Disappoints horror ..Page 4 SUNDAY, JUNE 04, 2017 INTERNET EDITION : www.dailyexcelsior.com/magazine Pursue a career ..Page 2 MELA AT SHIVA SHRINE SUDHMAHADEV Ayodhya Nath Kerni Sudhmahadev has remained a famous Shiva Shrine JUNE 8- JUNE 10 through the ages. A mela commences for three days on the occasion of full moon day of solar month Jyeshtha. The prevailing legend reveals that Goddess Parvati used to carry sacred water from Gauri Kund and offered that on the self manifested Shiva Lingam under a tree, at the present temple location. A ferocious demon Sudhanta who lived nearby a Nara (water fall) also brought water from the Nara to offer to Shiva Lingam. There was a dense forest around the present temple Complex those days. Sudhanta saw Mata Parvati offering water to Shiva Lingam. Sudhanta came near Mata Parvati in demonic appearance and with immoral intentions. Mata Parvati finding her alone in the forest shrieked for the help. Lord Shiva wokeup from the meditations and reached for the help of Goddess Parvati. Lord Shiva hurled his trident on Sudhanta fatally. It is believed that head of the demon got severed and body fell in a nullah located at a distance from Sudhma- hadev. The nullah was named as "Dhar Khudd" since those times because of falling of body of demon in that nullah. Lord Shiva asked him whether he wished to sur- vive again but demon refused. Sudhanta told Lord Shiva that he is lucky enough to receive salvation at the hands of Lord Shiva Himself. As far as any boon is con- cerned his name may be prefixed with Lord Shiva so that future generations may also know about him. He further added that despite being a devotee of Lord Shiva he could not renounce demonic nature. The place was being called as Sudhanta Mahadev which later became as Sudhmahadev. It is believed that the temple existed even prior to 4th century AD. The trishul offered to Lord Shiva stands testimony for the same. The inscription found on the broken part of trident reveals the names of two Naga kings who had offered the tri- dent to Lord Shiva most probably prior to the aggression by Samudra Gupta. The names of Naga kings are Bhivu Nag and Ganpati Nag. The trident is in broken parts. The three pointed fork seem to have been separated from the trident. The reasons for the same are not known. Chenani king Ram Chand I, who is understood to have ruled Chenani principality between 1580 to 1610 AD, had built the temple. It is believed that prior to that, the temple was in bad condition and trident was also found broken. The king was also having a sword made out of the metal of trident. The sword could foretell the victory or defeat in the battle. This sword remained with Chenani kings till the times of king Shamsher Chand. It is also held that Chenani kings handed over the complex to the peers of Nath cult completely and never interfered in the administration of the Shiva shrine. The first peer was Baba Roop Nath who started burning a pit (Dhooni) in the temple complex. This pit never fills with ashes nor the ashes are removed from the pit despite burning of wood round the clock. The dhuni remains lit and never extin- guishes right from the time of its initiation. In case it extinguishes some bad omen or evil is predicted. Baba Roop Nath took live Samadhi while in the service of tem- during 1958 when I was a student. I accompanied a group of relatives and started tourists carry out handful shopping during mela. ple. His successor Baba Bhup Nath also took the live Samadhi. There exist other our journey from my native village Dharamthal in the evening. After covering a dis- Mela concludes on third day by arranging a wrestling match, a popular game of samadhis of subsequent peers in the temple complex. They are - Baba Mangal Dass, tance of five kms we reached Chenani. Onward journey was under taken during Duggar wherein lot of wrestlers participate. It is understood that around fifty thou- Manbass Dass, Bhandar Nath, Champa Nath, Vaikunth Nath, Balak Nath, Shiv night on foot because there was no road link to Sudhmahadev during that time. The sand or more visitors participate in the Mela. Despite congested space the people Nath, Nurat Nath, Mishri Nath, Gopal Nath and Dhuni Nath. bridle track from Chenani passes through Mandir Dushalla, Venisangh. Hardwar mount on the roofs of the residential houses to enjoy the glimpses of mela through The temple was taken over by Dharamarth Trust during 1982 after the death of and then Sudhmahadev. Journey commenced in a moon light and there were many out the whole night. Jangams are also seen singing bhajans in the temple complex. last Peer Dhuni Nath. Since then there has been lot of progress in the maintenance groups of people moving during whole night. Singing of Dogri bhajans, bhakh, Keeping in view the large gathering security arrangements are tightened by the of temple complex. The construction of additional rooms and hall etc was carried geetru, playing of flutes and beating of drums made the journey much melodious. administration to ensure the safety of the visitors out for the convenience of visitors. The people were dressed in Dogra attire i.e assorted colour turbans, churidar paja- A considerable increase in the number of visitors has been noticed on the occa- The legend about the idols of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati installed in the tem- mas. There were about fifty vendors displaying their articles at the mela site. The sion of annual fair. The fair is celebrated with religious fervor and gaiety but due ple reveals that once a farmer was ploughing land little away from the temple com- heavy crowd was seen next dawn at the Nara site enjoying holy bath. Visitors also to congested space of venue lot of inconvenience is faced. In order to resolve this plex. The blade of plough touched some solid substance and bleeding started from received bath at Papnashani bauli, they visited Gauri kund and Mantalai as well. problem locals are of the view that land adjacent to temple complex presently being that point. The farmer assumed at the first instance that his oxen might have received Presently, the scenario has changed. There are now 500 vendors participating used for agriculture purp0ose may be got developed by Dharmarth Trust. The land any cut or injury but on inspecting he found there was nothing wrong. The other in the mela. Large number of buses ply from Jammu and Udhampur to Sudhma- belongs to Shiva and Mahamaya temples, hence, no other procurement problems farmers also gathered in the field and discovered idols of Lord Shiva and Mata Par- hadev on mela. Many State Government departments conduct educatonal pro- are involved.Annual mela could be organized in a better way in case this land is got vati. The idols were washed with water at a nearby water point. The bleeding stopped grammes for the masses by arranging stalls in JKTDC Dak Bungalow ground. The developed. Besides, a good landscape of this would generate more revenue from and idols were installed in the temple near the self manifested Shiva Lingum. Dur- Agriculture Departments briefs about the seeds and manures. The result of the same vendors and stall holders if provided to them during fair. During the rest of year ing the year 1769 AD the silver plate below the idols and Jalhari have been installed is visible in the whole area around Sudhmahadv as it has become a good source of same could be utilized for other social activities and as a play ground by school stu- by the peer of the temple. Guru Gorakh Nath temple adjacent to main Shiva tem- vegetables where as earlier it was not. The Horticulture department briefs about dents. During three days fair devotees also visit Gaurikund by recently construct- ple is also believed to have been constructed during the same period the plantation of fruit trees suitable according to the climate of the area. Similar- ed link road which also needs electrification. Dharmarth Trust may provide or I just recollect my first visit on the occasion of annual mela to Sudhmahadev ly Handicraft, Fisheries, Medical and Forest Department also display the stalls. The approach concerned authorities as may be the case.

JUNE 8- JUNE 10 Aghar 3 DAY MELA Jitto Mela Rajinder Singh Rana Vaishno, he was called Jit Mal by the locals. Fed up with inflictions and hostility by his aunt The tradition of celebrating Jojan in village Aghar, Jit Mal along with his festivals or melas at revered daughter Bua Kouri moved out of the village to shrines is very common in Jammu reside somewhere else. In the course of his jour- ney he reached the house of his close allay named region and is considered a part Iso Megh at Kanachak in Jammu who had good of popular Dogra culture. All relations with feudal land lord named Mehta Bir Singh of Ambgrota. Iso Megh asked him to pro- such melas are organised on vide a piece of land to Baba Jitto for cultivation on some important days fixed certain terms and conditions. The feudal land lord long ago by priests or humans. agreed to take one fourth of the total produce. Baba Jitto with his hard labour turned the bar- This practice has given more ren land into cultivable field and grew improved importance and recognition to quality of wheat crop. Mehta Bir Singh when vis- ited the field turned greedy. He ordered his goons many religious places where to lift lion's share of the crop. The wicked action number of devotees and pilgrims of feudal lord hurt Baba Jitto who in turn plead- visit and join huge congregations ed with him to follow initial agreement but all in vain. The poor Brahmin had no other option. He for sacred reasons. instantly sat on the heap of wheat and stabbed The three days Aghar Jitto mela is organised himself to death. Bua Kouri searched out the dead at Baba Jitto temple in village Aghar in the month body of her father with the help of a pet dog-Kalu of June every year by District Administration and in trunk of Simbal tree. She became very much upset with this incident to the extent that she Baba Jitto Mandir Development Committee joint- Devotees paying obeisance to Baba Jitto ly. The temple is located at distance of only five burnt herself alive with her father's pyre. Kms from Katra town. Starting from a simple It is said that those who had partaken grains and outsiders and get opportunity of interacting On the second day, a shoba yatra is taken out at village Pungaas on last Friday. Then these idols function, the mela has now become too familiar from heap later suffered from ailments and even and communicating with one another. They also from his birth place to new temple near Aghar are taken to village Kanjali on Saturday where a and prime attraction for visitors of different birds also became victims too. At Jhiri, Samadhi enjoy eateries, entertainment activities, shops and market in which several devotees participate. The Yatar or Choki is held at night in which several regions. People of all ages participate in the event of Baba Jitto was laid where a mela is also organ- games etc. Jhunda or sungal (Chains), katara (dagger), devotes and pujari perform holy yatar to the with much enthusiasm and ardent zeal. ised in the month of October-November in his The water stream flowing near the temple is datryian (sickles), Lota (jug) and other antique sound of drums. On the next day i.e. Sunday at 12 The event has gained more importance as it is memory. considered very pious for expecting and other objects of Baba Jitto are carried in Palki from noon, the idols are taken to river Chenab for holy one or other way linked with holy Shrine of Mata The act of Baba Jitto has set an example of jus- ladies. One can witness hundreds of women wait- temple of Raja Mandlik (Googa peer) and placed dip and to perform other rituals like roate (big tice for others. His devotion, firm faith and prin- Vaishno Devi. ing for their turn to take holy shower in the stream. in new temple below Aghar market where again rotis) are immersed into water followed by a tra- cipled behaviour forced him to end his life with- It is also gathered from local people that there Some ladies also throw wearing clothes in the a small choki or yatar is organised. The sounds ditional yatar. In the evening the devotees return out bowing down before immoral acts and wicked- was acute shortage of water in village Aghar Jitto. stream which is not considered a good practice of drums and chains please the visitors and devo- to Agar Jitto along with idols. At that time everyone including Baba Jitto had to ness of a land lord. He has proved corner stone for tees. This time, the Aghar Jitto mela is being held generations to come. He is no more today but the today owing to cleanliness concerns as the clothes walk to a far off place for fetching water. Baba Jit- seem piling up there one after another. On third day, the chains and other belongings from 8 to 10 June. The yatar, shhanan(holy bath) scene created by him certainly gathers attention are taken back to the temple of Raja Mandlik of panj peers, immersing of roate and other ritu- to used to perform worship at cave of Mata Vaish- On the first day of mela, a yatar is held at birth of all and develops confidence in humans to fight which is their original place followed by final als at river Chenab shall take place on June 4. no Devi daily which he continued for 12 years. One place of Baba Jitto in which pujari/priest divulges day Goddess appeared before Baba Jitto and for justice and rights. Many people worship him yatar of the mela. In the mela religious songs, dances and dra- about their day to days miseries and problems. asked him to express his wish. Baba Jitto wished in temple in the form of holy Gods or Kul Devta. On the last day popular dangal at Aghar Jitto mas by the local and other professional artists are This Yatar locally called choki remains continue for water. It is also said that seven streams At present during the harvest season, the people marks the conclusion of three day mela. In dan- also organised to amuse the visitors. The District emerged out in the village. Baba Jitto was locally in Aghar village first offer grains to Baba Jitto for whole night with bhajans and karks (devotion- gal wrestlers from state and outside play bouts Administration also sets up stalls of development named Mal who belonged to a Brahmin family. He before eating. al ballads) of Baba Jitto along with drum beating and try their luck. activities and welfare schemes. The three days stay was a staunch devotee of Mata Vaishno Devi and The other side of Aghar Jitto mela offers by Gardi (one who beats drum or dholak). Many Before the onset of mela, ritualistic food like during mela at Aghar Jitto certainly offers unique Raja Mandlik. When he succeeded in fulfilling his chance of recreation and exhibitions. The people temples are seen surmounted today at his birth fried flour and rotis in Kadai (utensils) are offered experience of its kind to the pilgrims. long cherished wish of water and darshan of Maa can enjoy novel experience by meeting strangers place. to five idols (panj peers) including Khwaja Peer (The author is District Information Officer, Reasi, Ramban)