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| Unique style of Holi celebrations in Rajouri | | | Rajouri |March 2
Unique style of Holi celebrations is being witnessed for the last 60 years here in border district of Rajouri which has now become a tradition for the people of the district. To celebrate this festival of colors, a procession of “BHAROV” painted with black color is taken out giving unique charm and unique style of celebrations in which people from all the communities take part in this procession. The week long festival of Bharov carries rich tradition of all the Hindus Sikhs and Muslims. Their unity and brotherhood is an example witnessed in the district since ancient times.
Knowledgeable sources said that this tradition of taking out tableaux of Bharov in the form of procession is believed to be as old as the Rajouri town itself. The 70 year Kumar Gupta, a prominent citizen, told this correspondent that taking out the tableaux of “Bharov” in the form of procession and celebration of Holi in this particular style has been descended from our fore fathers .Earlier tableaux of Barhrov was painted with two colours .Later he was coated with clay and mud and finally with black colour, which we are witnessing today added Gupta .Every year before start of procession , the tableaux of personified Bharov used to move down to Rajouri river, which is also know as ‘Darhali Nalla’ and bows his head before the big stone (rock ) popularly known as Bharov Pather ’lying near Shiv Mandir. But due to floods, the linking bridge has been washed away for the reasons now Bahrov bows his head from the city end facing towards the stone and then procession moves from the streets dancing on drum beats , throwing ‘gulal’ and colours on each other . This tradition presents a unique scenario of social life in Rajouri.
The general belief of the masses is that if tableaux of Bharov in the form of procession is not taken out in the Holi week , Rajouri people will have to suffer and any untoward incident may occur which may trap the Rajouri town as a whole. Vivak Gupta, a journalist said that taking out of Bharov procession was stopped for two three years in early eighties which resulted in an epidemic disease during the Holi week in the area .After some saints suggested continuation of the tradition , the old practice of celebrations was started afresh after a gap of three years and since then this tradition is continuing and would remain for future as well added Vivak Gupta
It is pertinent to mention here that Sham Lal, a resident of Rajouir is performing the role of Bharov for the last 20 years for the reasons he is professionally trained one to act like Bharov and reaches Rajouri every year from wherever he may be posted .When contacted Sham Lal performing the role of Bharov, he disclosed that ‘some spiritual power enter in my body in this week of Holi’ , and ‘I never remember these moments when I perform this role’ . Moreover ‘I had a great desire to visit Vashnoo Devi at Katra and bow before Vashnoo Mata, as I too am a human being having my own religion’ he said adding that that at several times he tried to go to Vashnavi Devi at Katra but couldn’t go due to one or the other reasons . He further disclosed that his family members and children have visited there several times but he couldn’t as ‘Bharov’ was enemy of Vashnoo Devi .Sham is of the opinion that he will never succeed to have a glimpse of Vashnoo Devi at Katra .
When contacted Danesh Sharma, President Snatan Dharm Sabha said the Holi, the festival of colours is celebrated every where in India but taking out Bharov procession is the unique feature of Rajouri people , a tradition of this border district Tableaux of Bharov along with procession starts from Sanatan Dharam Sabha for which necessary arrangements has already been made by the Sanstha, he added.
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