Fairs & Festivals of Bihar
Ancient Vediv Religion Festivities of
Bihar are steeped in history that has no means to fathom. Moreover,
history is not always written by historians but by people who ake up
legends. and legends to the skeptics are in fact revelations to the
faithful.
At one time Bihar was beyond the pale of Aryan culture and remained
free fro the influences of Vedic religion. During this period, the
people of ancient Bihar worshipped the forces of nature, like
serpents, stones, trees, Chaityas (funerary mounds) Yakshas (semi
divine beings), etc. Gradually these objects were incorporated into
the Aryan pantheon and in exchange Brahmana leadership and Vedic
sacrifices were accepted by the people of this region.
¤ The Festivities in Bihar
The amalgamation of Vedic and non-Aryan religion was not an easy
affair. It is not surprising to find the Rig Vedic word for festival,
Samana, which has been rendered both as ‘battle’ and ‘ ‘festival’.
We hear of Bhima and Arjuna as destroying the great Chaitya on the
hills of Rajgir in order to demonstrate their hostility towards
Magadha. Likewise, the Asurs of Gaya were uprooted by Vishnu. The
famous Sonepur Cattle fair (deeed to be the largest in the world)
recreates the Gagendra moksha legend, associated with Hariharanatha
temple in Sonepur, which was once strongly opposed to Vishnu. The
Cattle fair, beginning with the full moon day of Kartik Purnima
(November) commemorates the ancient concord accommplished at Sonepur,
between the opposing sects of Vishnav and Shiva worshippers.
The Legend associated with Kaun
Hara Ghat
The central venue is the kaun hara (who lost ?) ghat (river bank)
which originates from a mythical encounter between the honest gaja
elephant) and the shrewd graha (crocodile). The story dates back to
the undatable past when the elephant. Jai and the crocodile, Vijai in
their previous birth were fraternally related devotees of Lord Vishnu.
Once they quarreled amongst themselves over the distribution of
proceeds received from a fire sacrifice. Jai, the elder, cursed the
younger Vijai for reneging on the promise of equal shares, while
Vijaia insisted that each of them were given what they deserved and so
there was no question of sharing it. For Vijai, the curse spelled
rebirth as a vile crocodile. In retaliation the younger cursed the
elder to be reborn as an elephant. When the anger subsided, the two
brothers realised thir mistakes but the curses were irrevocable.
Later, one Kartik Purnima day when the saintly elephant went to the
Gandak river for a bath, the crafty crocodile caught his foot. A
fierce battle ensued and finally Lord Vishnu had to hurl his disc to
kill the crocodile. The Hariharanatha Temple at Sonepur, housing the
images of Vishnu and Shiva, commemorates the temporary thaw in what
was otherwise a more or less permanent war between themselves and
their supporters.
Sonepur Cattle Fair
Legend apart, the famous Sonepur fair in more of a cattle trading
centre where incredible number of birds and cattle are brought from
different parts of the country. Besides, the bewildering array of
wares are on sale and add to this the numerous folk shows about which
the BBC once remarked, "there’s nothing like the Sonepur
Cabaret." The time to start is very early in the morning when the
fog is suddenly pierced by the sun and the huge gathering has just
emerged from the holy dip in the cold absolving waters. The mela that
lasts upto a fortnight, provides enough time to talk to the parrots,
watch the elephants being bathed leisurely, followed by ear splitting
trumpets and then the artists working up with colourful designs to
decorate the elephants as if the pachyderm has been tatooed all over,
see the horses being tested for their speed and stamina, big bulky
buffaloes being milked and likewise all other animals demonstrating
their skill, strength and productivity.
By midday, it is the cacophony of strong decibels pouring in from all
corners as the huge gathering becomes denser with more and more people
adding to the sound and sight of the landscae. Ash smeared, saffron
clothed holy men blow their conches and bang their gongs.
Loudsspeakers, from various folk shows and jugglers rent the air
together with the unison from the animals. Much before the sun sets
in, flames and fumes of dung fire burning at different places appear
to screen the sky in a very amusing way, as if some mediveval army has
just camped for the night. and it is time to share a gossip with one
of the villagers who may better summarise the stock and sale of the
cattles for the day. Zesty snacks together with tea comes in from the
open air restaurant.
Temple at Deoghar
The hoary temple at Deoghar (the home of gods) is the most important
pilgrim point in Bihar that attracts thousands of Shiv devotees during
the month of Shrawan (July/August), when the summer heat has just
given way to the early monsoon. Saffron clad pilgrims with pots of
holy water, well balanced on their shoulder make a 100 km bare
trekking from Sultanganj (where the holy water of Ganges is considered
holdier due to its unusual flow northwards) to Baidyanath Dha at
Deoghar. Water is poured on the lingam to appease Shiva.
The sanctity of Deoghar lies in its legend of Ravana who went all the
way to Mount Kailash, pleading Shiva to make Lanka his hoe. Ravana’s
other was an ardent devotee of Shiva and she worshipped a Shivling
made of clay, which soon dissolved with daily pouring of water over
it. This prompted Ravana to implore Shiva if he would reside in Lanka.
Lord Shiva did not accede to Ravana’s prayer but offered him one
of twelve emblems of his divinity (Jyotiralinga) which would be quite
as effective and that he might take it away on the condition that the
transfer should be effected without breaking the journey. Moreover if
the linga was placed elsewhere on earth during the journey, it would
remain fixed on that spot forever.
The other gods felt unhappy at the Jyotiralinga being tansported to
Lanka which would render them powerless in their fight with Ravana.
Accordingly they planned to outwit Ravana. Varuna, the god of water
entered the belly of Ravana, urging him to relieve himself. Ravana was
left with no alternative but to descend and befriend and old Brahamin
(who was Vishnu in disguise) begging him to hold the lingam for a
while. On return Ravana found the lingam lying on the ground and the
Brahamin was nowhere to be seen. He was in a great rage but equally
helpless as he tried hard to reove the linga from the spot but be only
succeeded in breaking a piece of the top of it. This place where the
jyotiralinga was destined to last for ever is Deoghar, also popular as
Baijnath Dham.
Nag Panchmi
The rainy month of Sravana when there is danger of death from snake
bite, people appease the snake god by offering milk during Nag
Panchmi. The prime centre of naga worship is Rajgir and Mahabharata
describes this place as the abode of serpents and excavations have
revealed numerous objects used in serpent cult. In fact naga worship
is wide spread through out India.
Makar Sankranti Mela
Famous Makar Sankranti mela is another festival unique to Rajgir in
the month of Paus, corresponding to mid January. Devotees make flower
offerings to the deities of the temples at Hot springs and bathe in
the holy water. Another historic place associated with fifteen day
long Makar Sankranti mela is the Mandar hills in Banka district.
Puranic legends accounts for a great deluge which witnessed the
creation of a Asura that threatened the gods. Vishnu cut off the Asura’s
head and piled up the body under the weight of the Mandar hill. The
famous panchjanya - the sankh (counch shell) used in the Mahabharat
war is believed to have been found here on the hills. Traces, akin to
serpent coil can be seen around the hill and it is believed that the
snake god offered himself to be used as a rope for churning the ocean
to obtain the amrit (nectar).
Hari Har Dham
At Bagodar in Giridih is Hari Har Dham, famous for the 62 feet high
linga (completed in 1987), which marks it as the tallest in the world.
Spread over 25 acres of land and surrounded by rivers, the place
offers a picturesque surrounding.
Gaya-Buddhist Pilgrimage Center
Gaya is another holy dot in Bihar, famous for the International
Buddhist Gathering and the rallying point is the Mahabodhi tree and
the adjacent temple. The occasions are Buddha Jayanti (Buddha was born
on this day, he attained enlightenment on this day and also attained
Nirvana on this day ) and in the month of Vaisakh (April/May) and the
annual session of Dalai Lama in December. Mahavir Jayanti is celebated
in April with much fanfare on the Parsvanath hill and also at Vaishali
while Deo Deepawali, marking the attainment of Nirvana by Mahavira is
celebrated best at Pawapuri, ten days after Deepavali.
Gaya - Pitrapaksha Mela
Arond september the sleepy town of Gaya is agog with people who come
here for the famous Pitrapaksha mela or the ancestor worship typified
in Sraddha ritual. It is time for the Gayalis (the descendants of
Magga Brahmans who were once devotees of Shiva but later converted to
Vaishnavism) to be prepared for the vedic Sraddha ceremonies or the
pindan - a mandatory Hind rite that is supposed to bring salvation to
the departed soul. In the early Dharmasastras, Vishnu provides a list
of over 50 tirthas but it proclaims that dead ancestors pray to God
for a son who would offer pinda (lymph of rice) to them at Gaya.
The tradition traces its history to the time of Buddha, who is
believed to have performed the first pindan here. Turning the pages of
earlier history, one comes across the Puranic legend that ascribes
Gaya as one of the holiest spots of the world. The Asura, named Gaya
become so powerful that the gods felt threatened and thus thought of
eliminating him. As a precondition to his death, the Asura demanded
that be should be buried in the holiest spot of the world. This place
is Gaya.
Vishnupada Temple
The central point of the Hindu pilgrimage in Gaya is the Vishnupada
temple built by Rani Ahilyabai of Indore in 1787. The spot on which it
stands is associated with the famous mythological event of Vishnu
killing Gaya and leaving his footprints on the rock which is the main
point of worship in the temple. The Shraddha is customarily performed
under a fig tree while the women pilgrim perform it indoors as gayawal
women live under strange customs, for instance, they never stir out of
the house, married girl continues to get her daily ration from her
parents. They can adopt a child or even an adult, who may assist her
in their work. The Gayawals are believed to maintain centuries old
records of the pindans performed under the supervision of their
ancestors and accordingly people prefer the specific family of
Gayawals who might have served their ancestors as well.
¤ Other Famous Festivities
Though Bihar is in league with
festivals like Holi, Dussehra, Deepavali but chaath puja (6 days after
Deepavali) is Bihar’s prime festival honouring the sun god.
Unlike the zestful Holi or the expensive Deepavali) Chaath is a
festival of prayer and propitiation observed with solemnity. It is an
expression of thanks giving and seeking the blessings from the forces
of nature, prominent among them being the Sun and river. The belief is
that a devotee’s desire is always fulfilled during Chaath.
Simultaneously an element of fear is alive among the devotees who
dread the punishment for any misdeed during Chaath. The city remains
safe during this time when criminals too prefer to be a part of the
good.
Chaath-Fasting
Chaath in Bihar can best be seen at Deo in Aurangabad or Baragaon
near Nalanda, noted for their sun temples. Unlike other sun temples in
India that faces East, the temple at Deo faces west and during the
festival time it is the most crowded place. It is strange to see a
Brahmin standing in the river water next to a Harijan ! The festival
is more of a sacrifice which entails purificatory preparation. It can
be performed by men or women, irrespective to caste or creed. Chaath
commences with the end of Deepavali when the house is thoroughly
cleaned, family members go in for a holy dip, strict saltless
vegetarian menu is observed (even onions and garlic are considered
unwanted during the entire festival period), all earthen vessels are
reserved for the period only and all possible purity of food is
adhered to; clothes have to be unstitched and people sleep on the
floor.
The person observing the Chaath (known as Parvati) observes dawn to
dusk fast which concludes with sweets. This is followed by another
fast for 36 hours till the dawn of the final day when puja commences
at the river bank much before sunrise. The disciplined parvatis remain
in water from late midnight until the ray of dawn streaks the
horizons. The river is now flooded with offerings to the sun which is
followed by breakfast and distribution among the gatherings.
Mithila- Marriage Market
What once used to be the debating ground scholars debating ground in
Mithila has now become saurath Sabha or the Mithila marriage market
near Madhubani. In the summer of June, Mithila Brahmins prefer to
gather in the vast mango grove (thanks to the Raja, Raghav Singh, the
Mithila ruler of Darbhanga for gifting the land for the ever gathering
crowd of Mithila matchmakers) in the village of Surath to explore the
possibilites, discuss horoscope and finally to negotiate marriages
within the community but atleast five generations beyond the family.
The girl’s father is on the move trying to locate a prospective
bridegroom and so in the Ghatak (middleman), all the more serious to
earn commissions on marriage fixtures. Once the prospective families
pass through the ordeal of question session and feel satisfied by the
initial scrutiny of the horoscopes, they move on to the Panjikar
(registrars) who verifies the records and credentials to ensure that
matrimontial alliance was not being performed within the prohibited
degrees (within the seventh generation on paternal side and the fifth
on the maternal side). His satisfaction earns a talpatra (palm leaf
certificate) marked in red symbolising ‘no objection certificate’
which permits the families to establish matrimonial alliance. The
Panjikar too receives a token and he blesses the girl’s father, "
May your daughter bathe in milk and bear many sons." The
successful families finally call off the day with a visit to the
nearby Shiva temple.
The people of Mithila are believed to have followed the Panji
Prabhadha (system of recorded genealogy) since the fourteenth century.
These records were maintained by the Panjikars, who were later to
examine the validity and purity of marriage settlements. In fact one
was supposed to be are of his ancestors names and a daily rite of
Tarpan ensured that people offered oblations of water in the name of
each ancestor upto six or seven generations. If one recalls the name
of one’s acestors daily, one can not forget their names !
Sarhul Festivals
Sarhul is the most important festival for the tribals of
Chotanagpur. It is celebrated with the advent of spring
(February/March) when the sal tree is full bloom. These trees in the
sacred grove are highly venerated and the festival centres around the
holy spirits that dwell here. The focal point of the festival is to
obtain a good harvest and hence appeasement of goddess of nature.
Makar Sankranti Paus Mid January
Sarhul Chait March/April
Holi Fagun February/March
Mahavir Jayanti Vaisakh April/May
Buddha Jayanti Vaisakh April/ May
Deogarh Pilgrimage Shrawan July/August
Nag Panchmi Shrawan July/August
Pitrapaksh Mela Bhado September/October
Sonepur Cattle Fair Kartik October/November
Deepavali Kartik October/November
Chaath Kartik 6 days after Deepavali
Deo Deepavali Aghahan 10 days after Deepavali
Buddhist congregation
(dalai Lama’s session) December
Rakhi Purnamasi Shrawan July/August
Shiv Ratri Fagun February
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