Mera Kumaon

Maddhuli teri bakhadi bhaisi....

noreply@blogger.com (Mera Kumaon) — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 13:04:00 +0000

Jagar

noreply@blogger.com (Mera Kumaon) — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 07:26:00 +0000

Jaagar (Kumaoni-जागर) is a form of spirit or ghost worship practiced in the hills of Uttarakhand, both in Kumaon as well as Garhwal. The word jaagar comes from the Sanskrit root, jag or to wake, jaagar is a medium or way in which gods and local deities are called or waked from their dormant stage and asked for favors or remedies for certain problems plaguing the person.

It is attached to the idea of divine justice and is organised to seek penance for a crime or seek justice from the gods for some injustice. Music is the medium through which the gods are invoked. The singer or Jagariya sings a ballad of the gods with allusions to the great epics like Mahabharat and Ramayana and which describes the adventures and exploits of the god being invoked.

These traditions are the part of a kind of Folk Hinduism prevalent, in fact, all across the Himalayas, which have been there along with the mainstream Hinduism for ages.

The hard life of the Himalayas and constant exposure to the vagaries of nature inspired a strong belief in paranormal phenomena and also in numerous folk gods who were given great reverence and respect. Every village had its own god protecting its boundaries Bhoomial Devta or Khitarpal, each family its Kul Devta and numerous other benevolent demi-gods and malicious spirits which could reward or torment people and had to be appeased. The isolation of the Kumaon and Garhwal Himalayas promoted the emergence of local religious traditions which are still strong in these regions along with mainstream Hinduism

Jaagar ceremonies are of two types one is the Dev Jaagar, the invocation of a god, usually local gods in the body of the medium and the other is the Bhoot Jaagar the invocation of a deceased person spirit or soul in the medium’s body, although other forms like Masaan Puja also exist.

Today, Jaagars are seen more as cultural and musical heritage in the need of preservation than the religious ceremony itself. But it is still highly revered especially in the rural areas. For years of evolution Jaagar singing has transformed into an art which is greatly cherished and the exponents of which are often heralded as living heritages.

Contents-

Participants-1 Jagariya, 2 Dangaria, 3 Syonkar, 4 Duration, 5 Preparations, 6 Instruments, 7 Rituals, 8 Saanjhvali Geet, 9 Birtvai, 10 Ausan, 11 Guru Aarti, 12 Khaakh ramaan, 13 Daanik Vichaar, 14 Aashirvaad 15 Prasthan, 16 Exponents, 17 Significance

Jagariya-The Jagariya (जगरिया) is the singer of the ballads of the gods who leads the rituals and invokes the gods by calling upon them he is assisted by two or more men who sing along with him in chorus
shri golu devta jagar video

Dangaria-The Dangariya (डंगरिया)is the medium, whose body is used by the gods when they incarnate. Dangariya comes from the Kumauni word Dagar or way, he is the one who shows the way.
Syonkar-The Syonkar (स्योंकर)person who has organized the Jaagar to seek divine intervention to his problems. The Jaagar is held at his home.

Duration-The Jaagar can be organised for

three days dhinali (धिनाली)

eleven days

twenty days baisi (बैसी)

Preparations-The room in which the Jaagar is to be performed is purfied by purification processes closely administered by the Jaagar singer or ‘’Jagariya’’.

The Dhuni (धुनी) or sacred fire is lit for the homa.

Instruments-The musical instruments used are the ‘’Hurka’’ (हुड़का), ‘’Dhol’’ (ढोल), ‘’Damau’’ (दमाऊ), ‘’Thali’’ (थाली) all of which are percussion instruments native to Kumaon played by professional musicians.

Rituals

Saanjhvali Geet- In Saanjhvali Geet (सान्झवाली गीत) all gods are remembered their names repeated and asked for assistance for a successful completion of the jaagar

An excerpt from the Saanjhvali Geet of God Gangnaath, (in Kumaoni)

जै गुरु-जै गुरु

माता पिता गुरु देवत

तब तुमरो नाम छू इजाऽऽऽऽऽऽ

यो रुमनी-झूमनी संध्या का बखत में॥

तै बखत का बीच में,

संध्या जो झुलि रै।

बरम का बरम लोक में, बिष्णु का बिष्णु लोक में,

राम की अजुध्या में, कृष्ण की द्वारिका में,

यो संध्या जो झुलि रै,

शंभु का कैलाश में,

ऊंचा हिमाल, गैला पताल में,

Birtvai-During the Birtvai (बिर्त्वाई) the divine spirit being called upon is praised and ballads related to his or her adventures, and his or her life are sung out loud. An excerpt from the Birtvai of Deity Bala Golia, (in Kumaoni)

गोरियाऽऽऽऽऽऽ दूदाधारी छै, कृष्ण अबतारी छै।

मामू को अगवानी छै, पंचनाम द्याप्तोंक भांणिज छै,

तै बखत का बीच में गढी़ चंपावती में हालराई राज जो छन,

अहाऽऽऽऽ! रजा हालराई घर में संतान न्हेंतिन,

के धान करन कूनी राजा हालराई.......!

तै बखत में राजा हालराई सात ब्या करनी.....संताना नाम पर ढुंग लै पैद नि भै,

तै बखत में रजा हालराई अठुं ब्या जो करनु कुनी,

राजैल गंगा नाम पर गध्यार नै हाली, द्याप्ता नाम पर ढुंग जो पुजिहाली,......

अहा क्वे राणि बटिक लै पुत्र पैद नि भै.......

राज कै पुत्रक शोकै रैगो

Ausan-During the Ausan (औसाण) beats of the ‘’Hudka’’ and the other instruments are slowly increased. Here the ‘’Dangariya’’ starts going into a state of a trance with frenzied movement.

An excerpt from the Ausan of Deity Gangnath ji, (in Kumaoni)

एऽऽऽऽऽ राजौ- क रौताण छिये......!

एऽऽऽऽऽ डोटी गढ़ो क राज कुंवर जो छिये,

अहाऽऽऽऽऽ घटै की क्वेलारी, घटै की क्वेलारी।

आबा लागी गौछौ गांगू, डोटी की हुलारी॥

डोटी की हुलारी, म्यारा नाथा रे......मांडता फकीर।

रमता रंगीला जोगी, मांडता फकीर,

ओहोऽऽऽऽ मांडता फकीर......

Guru Aarti-All gods, demi-gods in the local pantheon of Kumaun are believed top be disciples of Guru Gorakhnath and therefore he too is remembered and asked for protection.

This ritual is known as the Guru Aarti ( गुरु आरती).

An excerpt of Guru Aarti of Deity Gangnath ji, (in Kumaoni)

ए.......तै बखत का बीच में, हरिद्वार में बार बर्षक कुम्भ जो लागि रौ।

ए...... गांगू.....! हरिद्वार जै बेर गुरु की सेवा टहल जो करि दिनु कूंछे......!

अहा.... तै बखत का बीच में, कनखल में गुरु गोरखीनाथ जो भै रईं......!

ए...... गुरु कें सिरां ढोक जो दिना, पयां लोट जो लिना.....!

ए...... तै बखत में गुरु की आरती जो करण फैगो, म्यरा ठाकुर बाबा.....!

अहा.... गुरु धें कुना, गुरु......, म्यारा कान फाडि़ दियो, मून-मूनि दियो,

भगैलि चादर दि दियौ, मैं कें विद्या भार दी दियो,

मैं कें गुरुमुखी ज बणा दियो।

ओ... दो तारी को तार-ओ दो तारी को तार,

गुरु मैंकें दियो कूंछो, विद्या को भार,

बिद्या को भार जोगी, मांगता फकीर,

रमता रंगीला जोगी,मांगता फकीर।

Khaakh ramaan-The ash known as bibhuti (बिभूति) from ‘’homa’’ the fire sacrifice made to the Gods is applied on the foreheads of those present This is known as Khaak Ramaan (खाख रामाण)

Daanik Vichaar-Daanik Vichaar (दाणीक विचार) means thinking about the provider, the people present contemplate about God and the way he provides for us.

Aashirvaad-The people present are ritually blessed by the priests who pray for their prosperity, this is known as Aashirvaad (आशीर्वाद).

Prasthan-The Gods are said to return or Prasthan (प्रस्थान), to their heavenly abode at this stage of the Jaagar.

Exponents-The exponents of the professional Jaagar singing are highly respected. They have preserved these ballads of local gods through oral traditions which today are being recorded today.

Some famous Jaagar Singers-Ram Singh, Mohan Singh, Harda 'Surdas', Jogaram, Nain Nath Rawal, Kabootari Devi, Ganga Devi, Pritam Bhartwan.

Vijayadasami

noreply@blogger.com (Mera Kumaon) — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 07:00:00 +0000

Vijayadasami Almora 2012

History

noreply@blogger.com (Mera Kumaon) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 06:29:00 +0000

स्वागत छू तुम सब लोग नक !

Kumaon (Hindi: कुमाऊं) or Kumaun is one of the two regions and administrative divisions of Uttarakhand, a mountainous state of northern India, the other being Garhwal. It includes the districts of Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat, Nainital, Pithoragarh, and Udham Singh Nagar. It is bounded on the north by Tibet, on the east by Nepal, on the south by the state of Uttar Pradesh, and on the west by the Garhwal region. The people of Kumaon are known as Kumaonis and speak the Kumaoni language. It is home to a famous Indian Army regiment, the Kumaon Regiment.
Important towns of Kumaon are Haldwani, Nainital, Almora, Pithoragarh, Rudrapur, Kashipur, Pantnagar, Mukteshwar and Ranikhet. Nainital is the administrative centre of Kumaon Division and this is where the Uttarakhand high court is located.
Geography

The Kumaon region consists of a large Himalayan tract, together with two submontane strips called the Terai and the Bhabhar. The submontane strips were up to 1850 an almost impenetrable forest, given up to wild animals; but after 1850 the numerous clearings attracted a large population from the hills, who cultivated the rich soil during the hot and cold seasons, returning to the hills in the rains. The rest of Kumaon is a maze of mountains, part of the Himalaya range, some of which are among the loftiest known. In a tract not more than 225 km in length and 65 km in breadth there are over thirty peaks rising to elevations exceeding 5500 m.

The rivers like Gori, Dhauli, and Kali rise chiefly in the southern slope of the Tibetan watershed north of the loftiest peaks, amongst which they make their way down valleys of rapid declivity and extraordinary depth. The principal are the Sharda (Kali), the Pindari and Kailganga, whose waters join the Alaknanda. The river Sharda (Kali) forms the international boundary between India and Nepal. The pilgrim route currently used to visit Kailash-Mansarovar, goes along this river and crosses into Tibet at Lipu Lekh pass.

The chief trees are the Chir Pine, Himalayan Cypress, Pindrow Fir, alder, sal or iron-wood, and saindan. Limestone, sandstone, slate, gneiss and granite constitute the principal geological formations. Mines of iron, copper, gypsum, lead and asbestos exist; but they are not thoroughly worked. Except in the submontane strips and deep valleys the climate is mild. The rainfall of the outer Himalayan range, which is first struck by the monsoon, is double that of the central hills, in the average proportion of 2000 mm to 1000 mm. No winter passes without snow on the higher ridges, and in some years it is universal throughout the mountain tract. Frosts, especially in the valleys, are often severe.

In the ancient period between 1300 to 1400 AD, after the disintegration of Katyuri kingdom of Uttarakhand, eastern region of Uttarakhand (Kumaon and Far-Western Region of Nepal which was a part of Uttarakhand then), divided into eight different princely states i.e., Baijnath-Katyuri, Dwarhat, Doti, Baramandal, Askot, Sira, Sora, Sui (Kali kumaon). Later on, in 1581 AD after the defeat of Raika Hari Mall (maternal uncle of Rudra chand) with the hand of Rudra Chand all these disintegrated parts came under King Rudra chand and the whole region was as kumaon.

Katyuri Raj

Main article: Katyuri Kings

The Katyuri dynasty was of a branch of Kunindas origin and was founded by Vashudev Katyuri. Originally, from Joshimath, during their reign they dominated lands of varying extent from the 'Katyur' (modern day Baijnath) valley in Kumaon, between 7th and 11th centuries AD, and established their capital, at Baijnath in Bageshwar district, which was then known as Kartikeyapura and lies in the centre of 'Katyur' valley.Brahmadev mandi in Kanchanpur District of Nepal was established by Katyuris king Brahma deo.

At their peak, the Katyuri kingdom extended from Nepal in the east to Kabul, Afghanistan in the west, before fragmenting into numerous principalities by 12th century. They were displaced by the Chand Kings in 11th century AD. Architectural remains of the Katyur dynasty's rule can be found in Baijnath and Dwarahat.

The Rajbar dynasty of Askot in Pithoragarh, was set up in the 1279 AD, by a branch of the Katyuri Kings, headed by Abhay Pal Deo, who was the grandson of Katyuri king, Brahm Deo . The dynasty ruled the region till, it became part of the British Raj through the treaty of Sighauli in 1816.

Chand Raj

Main article: Chand Kings

The Chand kingdom was established by Som Chand, who came here from Kannuaj near Allahabad, sometime in the 10th century, and displaced the Katyuri Kings (कत्यूरी नरेश), originally from Katyur valley near Joshimath, who had been ruling the area from the 7th century AD. He continued to call his state Kurmanchal, and established its capital in Champawat in Kali Kumaon, called so, due to its vicinity to river Kali. Many temples built in this former capital city, during the 11th and 12th century exist today, this include the Baleshwar and Nagnath temples.

They had brief stints with the Rajput clans in Gangoli and Bankot then predominant there the Mankotis of Mankot, the Pathanis of Attigaon-Kamsyar, Kalakotis and many other Khas Rajput Clans of the region. However they were able to establish their domain there.

One of most powerful ruler of Chand dynasty was Baz Bahadur (1638–78) AD, who met Shahjahan in Delhi, and in 1655 joined forces with him to attack Garhwal, which was under its king, Pirthi Sah, and subsequently captured the Terai region including Dehradun, which was hence separated from the Garhwal kingdom. Baz Bahadur extended his territory east to karnali river. In 1672, Baz Bahadur, started a poll tax, and its revenue was sent to Delhi as a tribute. Baz Bahadur also built the Golu Devata Temple, at Ghorakhal, near Bhimtal, after Lord Golu, a general in his army, who died valiantly at war. He also built famous Bhimeshwara Mahadev Temple at Bhimtal.

Towards the end of 17th century, Chand Rajas again attacked Garhwal kingdom, and in 1688, Udyot Chand, erected several temples at Almora, including Tripur Sundari, Udyot Chandeshwer and Parbateshwer, to mark his victory over Garhwal and Doti, the Pabateshwar temple was renamed twice, to become the present Nanda Devi temple. Later, Jagat Chand (1708–20), defeated the Raja of Garhwal and pushed him away from Srinagar, and his kingdom was given to a Brahmin. However, a subsequent king of Garhwal, Pradip Shah (1717–72), regained control over Garhwal and retained Doon till 1757, when Rohilla leader, Najib-ul-Daula, established himself there, though he was ousted soon by Pradip Shah.

The present king of kumaon is Mahendra Chand of Lamakhet (Pithoragarh), he is married to Gita Chand of Rina and has three children (Aakanksha Chand, Mallika Chand, Aryan Chand)

Raikas Of Doti

Niranjan Malldeo was the founder of Doti Kingdom around 13th century after a fall of Katyuris Kingdom. He was the son of Last Katyuris of united Katyuris kingdom. Kings of Doti were known as Raikas. Latter on Raikas, after overthrow Khas Malla of Karnali Zone, were able to form a strong Raikas Kingdom in Far Western Region and Kumaun which was called Doti. So far, the historical evidence of following Raikas have been discovered; Niranjan Malldev (Founder of Doti Kingdom), Nagi Malla (1238 AD), Ripu Malla (1279 AD), Nirai Pal (1353 AD may be of Askot and his historical evidence of 1354 A.D has been found in Almoda), Nag Malla (1384 AD), Dhir Malla (1400 AD), Ripu Malla (1410 AD), Anand Malla (1430 AD), Balinarayan Malla (not known), Sansar Malla (1442 AD), Kalyan Malla (1443 AD), Suratan Malla (1478 AD), Kriti Malla(1482 AD), Prithivi Malla (1488 AD), Medini Jay Malla (1512 AD), Ashok Malla (1517 AD), Raj Malla (1539 AD), Arjun Malla/Shahi (not known but he was ruling Sira as Malla and Doti as Shahi), Bhupati Malla/Shahi (1558 AD), Sagaram Shahi (1567 AD), Hari Malla/Shahi (1581 AD Last Raikas King of Sira and adjoining part of Nepal ), Rudra Shahi (1630 AD), Vikram shahi (1642 AD), Mandhat shahi (1671 AD), Raghunath shahi (1690 AD), Hari shahi (1720 AD), Krishna Shahi (1760 AD), Deep shahi (1785 AD), Prithivi pati Shahi (1790 AD, 'he had fought against Nepali ruler with British in 1814 AD')

Gorkha Rule and its defeat

For some time the region was ruled by the Gorkhas.

The people of Kumaon sued the British many times to help them overthrow the Gorkha rule. According to a folklore, when a British official was saved from the prison of the Tibetan Joongpong (Governor) of Taklakot in Tibet by some Kumaonis, he pursued their case with the Resident at Delhi and convinced him to attack the Gorkhas in Kumaon. 4000 Kumaoni braves under Harakh Dev Joshi, a chieftain of the Chand King (who was initially held responsible for the Gorkha invasion) joined the British. The British had so far been severely routed by the Gorkhas at several places (like the Battle of Jaithak and Malaun). But now the joint forces of Kumaonis and British struck the Gorkhas in the Battle of Syahidevi resulting in a complete route of the Gorkhas. The Gorkha Subba (Governor) fled and so did their commanders. Almora was liberated.

The Gorkhas, who earlier seemed invincible, were finally defeated and the way for the liberation of Garhwal from the oppressive Gorkha rule was ended. The British realised through this war the potential of military expertise of these hillmen. Inspired by their bravery the British granted on the people of Kumaon the title of martial race.They heavily recruited from them and the result was the Kumaon Regiment (Earlier the Hyderabad Regiment which consisted mostly of Kumaonis).

British Raj

Later, the region was annexed by the British in 1815, and was governed for seventy years on the non-regulation system by three administrators, Mr. Traill, Mr J. H. Batten and Sir Henry Ramsay.

There were widespread opposition against British rule in various parts of Kumaon. The Kumauni people especially Champawat District rose in rebellion against the British during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 under the leadership of the members like Kalu Singh Mahara.

In 1891 the division was composed of the three districts of Kumaon, Garhwal and the Tarai; but the two districts of Kumaon and the Tarai were subsequently redistributed and renamed after their headquarters, Nainital and Almora.

Gandhiji's advent sounded a death knell for the British in Kumaon. People now aware of the excesses of British Raj became defiant of it and played an active part in the Indian Struggle for Independence.

Gandhiji was revered in these parts and on his call the struggle of Saalam Salia Satyagraha led by Ram Singh Dhoni was started which shook the very roots of British rule in Kumaon. Many people lost their lives in the Saalam Satyagraha due to police brutality. Gandhiji named it the Bardoli of Kumaon an allusion to the Bardoli Satyagrah

Many Kumaonis also joined the Azad Hind Fauj led by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

Martial Race

Kumaonis have been famous for their valour, their courage was legendary, their honour indomitable. The Kumaonis were never fully subjugated by the powerful Muslim dynasties of Delhi. Kumaonis were observed by the British, their valour was thus given recognition by the British and were included in the British Army. It is interesting to note that the 3rd Gorkha Rifles was known as the Keemaon battalion when it was formed and it included Kumaonis as well as the Garhwalis along with the Gorkhas. The Kumaonis, once accepted as a martial race, were themselves to be recruited in the Hyderabad regiment and displace the native troops, ultimately becoming the Kumaon Regiment after Independence of India. The Kumaon Regiment is one of the most decorated regiments of the Indian Army. The regiment traces its origins with the British Indian Army and has fought in various campaigns including the two world wars. After independence, the regiment has fought in all major conflicts involving India. They showed their exceptional courage in the Indo-Chinese War, the Battle of Rezang La has been proverbial for valour.

Language

Their Kumaoni language forms the Central subgroup of the Pahari languages.

Kumaoni is one of the 325 recognized Indian languages, and is spoken by over 2,360,000 (1998) people of Indian states of Uttarakhand - Almora, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Champawat, Rudrapur (Udhamsingh Nagar) districts; Uttar pradesh; Assam; Bihar; Delhi; Madhya Pradesh; Maharashtra and Punjab, besides being spoken in some regions of Himachal Pradesh and Nepal.

Amongst its dialects, the Central Kumauni is spoken in Almora and northern Nainital, North-eastern Kumauni is in Pithoragarh, South-eastern Kumauni is in South-eastern Nainital, Western Kumauni is west of Almora and Nainital.

UNESCO’s Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger designates Kumaoni as language in the unsafe category and which requires consistent conservation efforts.

Dialects of Kumaon region

In all, there are 20 dialects spoken in the Kumaon region, including, Johari, Majh Kumaiya, Danpuriya, Askoti, Sirali, Soryali, Chaugarkhyali, Kumaiya, Gangoli, Khasparjia, Phaldakoti, Pachhai, and Rauchaubhaisi.

Dialects of Kumaoni Language

Kali Kumaon, Central Kumaoni , North-Eastern Kumaoni
South-Eastern Kumaoni ,Western Kumaoni
Askoti of Askot, Bhabhri of Ramnagar
Chaugarkhiyali of Chaugarkha, Danpuriya of Danpur
Gangoli of Ganai-Gangoli (Gangolihat), Johari of Malla and Talla Johar
Khasparjiya of Almora, Kumaiyya of Champawat
Pachhai of Pali-Pachhhau (Ranikhet, Dwarahat), Pashchimi
Phaldakotiya of Phaldkot, Rhau-Chaubyansi, (Nainital)
Sirali of Sirakot (Didihat), Soriyali of Sor Valley (Pithoragarh)
Baitada of Baitadi, Darchula and parts of Bajhang District in Nepal, Dotiyali of Doti

Scholars also consider the heavy influence of Kumaoni on the Palpa language of Nepal.

Tibeto-Burman (NOT dialects of Kumaoni; these non-Indo-European languages are indeed spoken in Kumaon)

Rang or Rung, Darmyali, Bangbani

Spoken in Upper Reaches of Kumaon Himalayas.