Kahika Fair Mandi

Mandi’s Kahika Fair

Making a ‘Dead’ Man Alive

Nad Som Dutt alias Guddu gets life after death

 Naveen Sharma

Himachal has a rich cultural heritage and geographical differences that make it different from rest of the word. Its culture is unique and traditions have remained largely untouched by external customs. Himachal is a multicultural as well as multilingual state where language changes in every few kilometers. Kahika Fair is celebrated in Kullu and Mandi districts in which it is believed that local deity bestows a ‘dead’ man with life. Recently, Kahika Fair was held at Hurang village in Mandi district after five years. The event attracted so many people because of the religious beliefs. The fair started with a traditional khel called Dev Khel that was performed by the chief gurs of the deity Narainu and Sher Singh. People confessed their sins and repented. After this traditional ceremony the chariot of Dev Hurang Narayan reached in Surahan village. The priests, who were present at the temple in the village, welcomed them with their traditional musical instruments. On the next day, chhidra process was performed by the Nad and the other people who were present there to get rid off their sins.

Som Dutt Performed Kahika        

On the third day, Kahika was performed by the Nad Som Dutt, who was chosen by the deity to perform Kahika. First he took blessings of the Dev Hurang Narayan and then the gur of the devta poured water and bekhal leaves on the Nad and the idol of the deota was placed on his chest. Consequently, the Nad became unconscious and laid down on a wooden plank like a corpse. Then all the Nads and the wife of theNad abused each other during a ceremony of the Kahika Fair. Then all family members of the Nad Som Dutt cried in front of the devta to give him life once again. Then the bier (funeral procession) of the unconscious Nad is taken round the temple. After a couple of hours, deity returns life in Nad, it is believed. During Kahika Fair, entire village wears a festive look.

Rituals in Kahika

On the first two days people sing and dance. The third day is for the Kahika in which gurs of all eight male and five female deities participate. An Nadchosen by the devta to perform Kahika remains on fast. He is revered as Mahadev (Shiva) and his wife as shakti (Parvati). Four pieces from kushtika tree are brought by some persons for making a small vedi, and for constructing a bigger vedi deodar tree is used. The bigger vedi is called Kahika. The ritual takes place within the periphery of the altar. The Nadrecites mantras in front of devta’s idol to perform hischhidra or moksha. Then chhidra of people present on the occasion is also performed. During the ritual a musical instrument called dhapli is also played by Nad. Then the gur of the devta pours water and bekhal leaves on the Nad and the idol of the devta is placed on his chest. Consequently, the Nad becomes unconscious and is laid down on a wooden plank like a corpse. All nads and wife of the main Nad then abuse each other. By doing so, it is believed that the fairies, who can keep the Nad unconscious for long, do not land on the Kahika site. Then the funeral procession of the unconscious Nad is taken round the temple. He recovers within three hours. But an Nad, who is not serious about observing Kahika rules, recovers late and may even die, though this is rare event. In such cases, all offering of the devta are given to his wife as compensation. At this time two gurs are appointed by devta to keep the expenditure under control.

 Nad Community

The Nad community is traditionally linked with other local communities in ritual basis in removing their sins and treating bewitched persons. They accept only sidha or sukka food.

 History of Kahika

It is believed that centuries ago Dev Hurang Narayan was affected with leprosy and at that time nobody was there to recover him from the serious disease. Only the Nad community could recover him from that; so they were called to help Devta recover from leprosy. Chhidra of devta was performed by the Nad community people and Dev Hurang Narayan recovered from the serious disease. After that incident, Kahika Fair is organised in Hurang village after every five years in which people performed chhidra to remove all their sins. Kahika is the major religious ceremony of the Nads and is arranged as a big mela (fair) duringshravan and bhadon (August-September). This fair is held in Hurang, Padhar and a number of other villages in Mandi district.