Dussehra is not celebrated in these Kuroli and Udpalta villages of Uttarakhand, people wage ‘war’, this old tradition is unique
While Dussehra will be celebrated all over the country on October 12, people of two villages will fight a Gagali war in Udpalta village of the region. Preparations for the Painta festival celebrated on Dussehra have been completed. Painta festival is based on the legend of two sisters falling into a well and dying and the war between two villages that followed. People living outside have also started reaching the village to celebrate the festival.
On the day of Dussehra festival, effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhakarna will be burnt across the country. At the same time, in Jaunsar Bawar, as per a tradition that has been going on for centuries, a Gagali war will be held between the villagers of Kuroli and Udpalta villages. The story based on the legend is of two sisters Rani and Munni. Both the sisters had gone to a place called Kyani near Udpalta village to fetch water. Rani died after falling into a well due to slipping of her feet. Fearing that Munni might be held responsible for her death, Munni also jumped into the well and died.
It is believed that the villagers were cursed due to the death of two sisters and to get rid of this, the people of both the villages fight with each other using the stems of Gagli i.e. arbi plants. As part of the preparations for the festival, flowers have been decorated on the stems of Gagli as a symbol of Rani and Munni in both the villages and kept in the houses. Where they will be worshipped for two days. On the day of Dussehra, the villagers will immerse these symbols kept in the houses in the same well.
Village Syana Rajendra Singh Rai, Puran Singh Rai, Shyam Singh Rai told that the Panchayat courtyard has been decorated for the Painta festival. Apart from this, traditional and local dishes are being prepared in every house to welcome the guests. People living outside are also reaching the village in large numbers.
Dev symbols and palanquins will be seen in temples
On the occasion of Painta festival, palanquins and Dev symbols of Shilgur and Bijat deities will be brought out of the sanctum sanctorum of temples in Simog, Kanbua, Bamrad, Panjia etc. temples of Jaunsar Bawar area. Where a large number of devotees will have darshan of Dev Palki and Dev symbols.
