Do you know that there is such a festival in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. Where you will see the whole area crying amidst the beats of Dhol Damau. But what is the reason for this? Why do these people come here and cry? Let us know about this unique tradition of Uttarakhand in this article.
Why does the whole of Uttarakhand cry on Nanda Ashtami?
Every year, a special event is organized in Uttarakhand from the day of Nanda Ashtami. It is said that on this day, Mother Nanda comes to her maternal home in the form of Brahmakamal. Actually, the people of Uttarakhand see Mother Nanda as their daughter. 2 days before Nanda Ashtami, the people of the village, who are called Phulari.
They take the blessings of Mother Nanda and go to the peaks of the high Himalayas through dense forests to take her in the form of Brahmakamal. While worshiping the difficult paths and forest deities, these Phulari bring Mother Nanda to her maternal home in the form of these Brahmakamals.
The whole village comes to have a glimpse of daughter Nanda
You will be surprised to know that as soon as people start collecting Brahmakamal, they reach near the temple of Maa Nanda. Maa Nanda incarnates in the body of Pashwa present there and accepts Brahmakamal. Pashwa is the person on whom Maa Nanda is possessed. After this, Maa Nanda, taking rice in her fist, blesses the people who bring Brahmakamal and herself ushers them into the temple. The whole village flocks here to have a glimpse of her daughter Nanda.
The daughter is welcomed with the beats of Dhol Damaun
The daughter is welcomed by dancing and singing on the beats of Dhol Damaun. After which Maa Nanda is adorned and worshipped. It is said that there is also a ritual of sacrifice here to please Maa Nanda. The most emotional moment of this festival comes when the villagers bid farewell to their daughter Nanda. In fact, after the worship, the villagers make an idol of Maa Nanda and send her back to her in-laws’ house, Kailash. This moment of Nanda’s farewell is like the farewell of a daughter.
Women cry on seeing Nanda going back to her in-laws’ house
Women cry on seeing their daughter Nanda going back to her in-laws’ house. The eyes of the elders fill with tears. The whole area cries a lot while bidding farewell to their daughter. At this time, Maa Nanda also descends on the horse and becomes emotional.
All the people present here cry on seeing their daughter Nanda’s farewell. Maa Nanda herself also becomes emotional on descending on her horse and going to her in-laws’ house. She goes to her in-laws’ house promising to come next year.
About the Author
