Devidhura Bagwal Mela Stone War: A Timeless Tradition of Uttarakhand

    Maa Varahi Devi, Devidhura Mela(बग्वाल मेला)

Maa Varahi Devi Mandir.

Maa Varahi Devi Temple is at a distance of 45 km from Lohaghat in the district of Champawat, Uttarakhand. India. Devidhura is situated at an altitude of 1850mt,Easily accessible by road  from lohaghat on the way to lohaghat-haldwani highway.

Originally Devi has cave temple, The original cave temple is beautiful. It is small and congested but is very beautiful. It has a calming effect and you can feel the divine atmosphere in the cave temple.Devi original idol is wrapped in red cloth and in a brass box, it is believed that you can not see idol with naked eye, it will make you blind .so till now no one saw this idol.

What is Devidhura Bagwal Mela .

Devidhura Bagwal Mela is a unique festival celebrated in the Champawat district of Uttarakhand, India. The festival is held on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, and it is a celebration of the bond between brothers and sisters.

The festival is held at the Devidhura temple, which is dedicated to the goddess Varahi. The temple is located in a beautiful setting, and it is surrounded by lush forests and mountains.

How Bagwal Mela celebrated .

The festival begins with a procession to the temple. The procession is led by the priests, and it is followed by the people of the village. The procession is a colorful and festive affair, and it is a great way to get into the spirit of the festival.

Once the procession reaches the temple, the priests perform a puja (prayer). The puja is followed by a feast, and then the festivities begin.

The main event of the festival is the Bagwal. The Bagwal is a form of traditional fighting that is played with stones. The two teams of fighters are dressed in traditional attire, and they wear large wooden shields to protect themselves from the stones. The festival is known for its unique rituals, which involve the use of wooden shields and sticks.

The Bagwal is a very physical and demanding sport, and it is a great test of strength and endurance. The matches are often very close, and they are always exciting to watch.

in  recent years stones are replaced with fruits and flowers, after intervention of high court of uttarakhand in year 2013.

On 11th July , 2022, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami declared the Devidhura Maa Barahi Bagwal Mela’ of Champawat as a state fair.

History of Bagwal Mela.

There is no written document in history but it is believed that Bagwal (Devidhura festival) used to be played in Katturi regime in Kumaon in sixth century.

It is believed that in the past there was a practice of sacrifice, but when it came to the sacrifice of the only grandson of an older lady of Chamyal Kham, the elderly woman made the puja of Maa Varahi or Maa Barahi for fear of genealogy. On the delight of the goddess mother, on the advice of the older people, the four khama  among themselves accepted the worship by shedding blood at par with a human sacrifice. Since then, Bagwal has been in a practice.

The people of four khamas(Group of villagers) of the area, Chamyal, Gaharwal, Lumgadia and Walig play Bagwal on the day of Raksha Bandhan.

Conclusion

The Devidhura Bagwal Mela is a great way to experience the culture and traditions of Uttarakhand. The festival is a celebration of the bond between brothers and sisters, and it is a time for people to come together and have fun.

If you are looking for a unique and exciting festival to experience, then I highly recommend the Devidhura Bagwal Mela. The festival is held every year on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, and it is a great way to learn about the culture and traditions of Uttarakhand.

FAQ

Here are some additional information about the festival:

• The festival is held for 12 days.
• The main event of the festival, the Bagwal, is held on Aug/Sep.
• The festival attracts people from all over Uttarakhand, as well as from Nepal and other parts of India.
• The festival is a great opportunity to experience the culture and traditions of Uttarakhand, as well as to participate in a unique and exciting event.