In Devidhura, Bagwal Full of Adventures Played with Fruits and Flowers

• 13 Aug 2022

Why in News?

• On August 12, 2022, in Champawat district of Uttarakhand, the world famous Bagwal fair with fruits and flowers was organized at Kholikhand Dubachaud ground of Devidhura, Dham of Mother Varahi. The warriors of Charkham (Chamyal, Gahadwal, Lamgadiya, Walig) and seven Thok joined the Bagwal.

Key Points

• The famous Bagwal fair, which is held on the day of Rakshabandhan, is also called 'Pathar Maar' fair at 'Maa Varahi Temple' in the famous Devidhura of Champawat district. Lakhs of devotees from all over the country and abroad reach Devidhura to see this fair.
• It is believed that this game of Bagwal in Devidhura has been going on since mythological times. Some consider it to be a traditional festival from the Katyur regime, while others associate it with Kali Kumaon.
• According to popular beliefs, in the mythological period, there was a custom of offering male sacrifices by the people of Char Kham to celebrate their Aaradhya Varahi Devi. To please Mother Varahi, a male sacrifice was performed every year from the people of the four Khams. It is said that one year it was the turn of the male sacrifice of the family of an old lady of Chamiyal Kham. Only the old lady and her grandson were alive in the family. The woman praised Mother Varahi for protecting her grandson. Mother Varahi gave darshan to the old lady and gave instructions to play bugwal between the four holes in the temple premises, since then the practice of bagging started.
• Bagwal fair is held every year on the day of Ashadhi Kauthik (Rakshabandhan) in Kholikhand Dubachaud of Maa Varahi Dham temple in Devidhura of Pati block of Champawat district. Starting from stone, this Bagwal fair is being played with flowers and flowers for the past few years. In addition to the four Khams (Chamyal, Gaharwal, Lamgadiya and Walig) warriors of seven thoks take part in the Bagwal fair, which is held in the presence of lakhs of people.
• Bagwal Varahi is played in the courtyard of the temple, Kholikhand. It is played by young men and elders of all four circles. Lamgadia and Walig Kham's Ranbankures stand on one side, while Gahadwal and Chamyal Kham's Ranbankures stand on the other side.
• It is noteworthy that on July 11, 2022, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had declared the famous Devidhura 'Maa Varahi Bagwal Fair' of Champawat as a state fair.