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Hurling Lambs A tradition in Galufair
chavider sharma 9418131366
Himachal Pradesh is a land of numerous gods and deities. As a result people could be seen celebrating in fairs organized in one or the other part of the state every day. But the Galu Mela organized in Galu village of Haargunain panchayat in Jogindernagar is a unique confluence of faith and tradition. Commenced with the congregation of local deities and sacrifice of a lamb, the history of this fair is centuries old and according to locals the tradition initiated by their forefathers is still practiced radiantly by the people of the area. Situated at the border of Haargunain and Ropa Padhar panchayats on Mandi – Pathankot national Highway, the three day long Galu fair is celebrated every year on the eighth pravisthe of Baisakh month. The much celebrated deity of Chauhar Valley Dev Pashakot inaugurated the three day long Galu fair. Local deities, Dev Gehri, deity of Harabag in Haargunain panchayat, and Dev Pashaakot, deity of Chauhar valley congregates at Galu before the commencement of the fair. Gurs of both the deities worships the deities and thereafter Dev Gehri offers a lamb to Dev Pashakot as an honour, which in return presents shawl to Dev Gehri after accepting the honour (lamb). Thereafter people whose wishes are fulfilled hurls lambs over deities, which are later distributed amongst devlus and other people as prasad. Dev Gehri’s Pujari (Priest) Hari Singh Narr told that Narr caste is considered paramount among devtas in Chauhar valley. And whereas Gur of Devtas changes with time, the priests are selected from the same dynasty. “I am testimony to this fair since the time of my father and forefather and during that time women from surrounding families used to bring delicacies to the fair from their respective homes and distribute it among people waiting for devtas to arrive,” told Hari Singh. “The hospitality traditions are still followed as were practiced in past and even strangers are welcomes enthusiastically in various houses of the area. Changes have no doubt come with the passage of time but age old traditions are still intact in the area,” added Hari Singh.
Himachal Pradesh is a land of numerous gods and deities. As a result people could be seen celebrating in fairs organized in one or the other part of the state every day. But the Galu Mela organized in Galu village of Haargunain panchayat in Jogindernagar is a unique confluence of faith and tradition. Commenced with the congregation of local deities and sacrifice of a lamb, the history of this fair is centuries old and according to locals the tradition initiated by their forefathers is still practiced radiantly by the people of the area. Situated at the border of Haargunain and Ropa Padhar panchayats on Mandi – Pathankot national Highway, the three day long Galu fair is celebrated every year on the eighth pravisthe of Baisakh month. The much celebrated deity of Chauhar Valley Dev Pashakot inaugurated the three day long Galu fair. Local deities, Dev Gehri, deity of Harabag in Haargunain panchayat, and Dev Pashaakot, deity of Chauhar valley congregates at Galu before the commencement of the fair. Gurs of both the deities worships the deities and thereafter Dev Gehri offers a lamb to Dev Pashakot as an honour, which in return presents shawl to Dev Gehri after accepting the honour (lamb). Thereafter people whose wishes are fulfilled hurls lambs over deities, which are later distributed amongst devlus and other people as prasad. Dev Gehri’s Pujari (Priest) Hari Singh Narr told that Narr caste is considered paramount among devtas in Chauhar valley. And whereas Gur of Devtas changes with time, the priests are selected from the same dynasty. “I am testimony to this fair since the time of my father and forefather and during that time women from surrounding families used to bring delicacies to the fair from their respective homes and distribute it among people waiting for devtas to arrive,” told Hari Singh. “The hospitality traditions are still followed as were practiced in past and even strangers are welcomes enthusiastically in various houses of the area. Changes have no doubt come with the passage of time but age old traditions are still intact in the area,” added Hari Singh.
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