‘Maa Varahi Bagwal Mela' Declared as State Fair

• 12 Jul 2022

Why in News?

• On July 11, 2022, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami declared the famous Devidhura 'Maa Varahi Bagwal Mela' of Champawat as a state fair. He has ordered the Chief Secretary to issue the GO immediately.

Key Points

• It is worth mentioning that some time ago in Champawat, the Chief Minister had announced to give the status of a state fair to the fair. For the first time since the declaration of the State Fair, the fair will be held under the aegis of the State Government this year. At present , the fair is organized at the level of district panchayat.
• 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 the mythological period. Some consider it to be a traditional festival from the Katyur regime, while others associate it with Kali Kumaon.
• According to the 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 old Chamiyal Kham's turn was the turn of the male sacrifice of the family. 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 bugle in the temple premises between the four holes, 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 has been played with 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 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 places. The battles of Lamgadiya and Walig Kham are on one side, while on the other side the Ranbankures of Gahadwal and Chamyal Kham are standing.