Champawat, Aug 28 (PTI) The ‘Bagwal’ (a ritualistic battle between groups of devotees) fair was held using fruits and flowers in the courtyard of the Maa Varahi Dham Shaktipeeth in Devidhura area of Uttarakhands’ Champawat district on Friday, on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was present alongside a large number of devotees to witness the event.
The Bagwal, involving four ‘Khams’ (clans/groups), began around 2 pm and lasted for eight minutes.
Following formal prayers conducted by the head priest at Maa Varahi Dham, the ‘Bagwali’ participants from the four Khams—Walik (white), Chamyal (pink), Gahadwal (saffron), and Lamgadiya (yellow)—entered the arena.
Clad in traditional attire and turbans of their respective clan colours, the participants carried shields made of bamboo and ringal (a type of hill bamboo). Amidst the blowing of conch shells and chants hailing Maa Varahi, a shower of fruits and flowers took place.
According to devotees, the tradition of appeasing goddess Maa Varahi through this Bagwal has existed since ancient times. Legend has it that demonic forces were wreaking havoc in the region by constantly killing humans; to halt this, the four Khams sought refuge in Maa Varahi and pleased the goddess by offering an amount of blood equal to that of a human being through a stone-pelting battle in the courtyard of her shrine at Devidhura.
Experts state that while this tradition has continued uninterrupted since ancient times, it has evolved over the years; fruits and flowers are now used instead of stones.
According to Peethacharya pandit, Kirtivallabh Joshi, the Bagwal played with fruits and flowers is considered highly auspicious and rewarding. Earlier, the chief minister offered prayers to the goddess and wished for the happiness, prosperity, and well-being of the people of the state.
He said, “Mother Varahi cares for everyone. This unique legacy of discipline and brotherhood is witnessed only at the Bagwal ground in Devidhura, where all the warriors embrace each other after the Bagwal event.” PTI DPT AMJ AMJ
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