Villages nestled in the Trans-Giri region of Sirmaur district and the adjacent Chehta Paragna area of Kupvi tehsil in Shimla district are diligently preserving age-old customs and cultural heritage by celebrating Diwali over a three-day period. These celebrations are marked by distinct folk rituals, traditional dances, communal music, and elaborate feasts, keeping centuries-old traditions alive.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the festivities are particularly vibrant in the panchayats of Koti-Bounch, Ajroli, Laani Borar, and Gattadhar, along with areas like Haripurdhar in Sirmaur. Across the district border, the Chehta Paragna region also observes its unique Diwali traditions, especially in the panchayats of Dhar, Bawat, and Sharad under Dharchandna, as well as in Kanda Banah and Lohaan Dhar.
The initial day of the festivities commences in the early hours, around 2 a.m. on the night of Kartik Amavasya. Villagers congregate at the traditional gathering grounds, known as Sanjha Prangan, of their local deities. They carry handcrafted wooden mashals, fashioned from the highly inflammable deodar wood known as sheka. A ceremonial fire is ignited in honour of the presiding deity, from which villagers light their mashals. This is followed by the performance of the traditional Limbar Nritya, a dance dedicated to Devta Maharaj.
Following the ceremonial lighting, a procession of mashals embarks towards a designated spot some distance from the village. The air resonates with traditional folk songs, ancient harul performances, and folk dances, all accompanied by the rhythmic beats of indigenous musical instruments. This vibrant procession and the accompanying celebrations extend into the early morning, with participants returning to their homes by approximately 6 to 7 a.m.
The second day of the celebration carries its own significant cultural weight. Around 2 to 3 p.m., local women gather to perform ‘bhiwri,’ an ancient folk song that is exclusively sung by women and performed without any instrumental backing. The women themselves provide the music through their voices and engage in dance as they perform these traditional compositions.
According to local lore, ‘bhiwri’ is performed in remembrance of family members who have passed away and whose absence is deeply felt during the Diwali festivities. This deeply emotional folk tradition offers a poignant reflection of the region’s custom of honouring departed loved ones while simultaneously celebrating the festival.
As the day progresses, the cultural performances continue. The ‘Mala nati,’ a traditional folk dance, is performed until late into the evening. This is succeeded by ‘mujra nati,’ an event typically organised at the residence of a villager. The ‘mujra nati’ often continues late into the night, with villagers gathering to partake in the traditional dance and music, fostering a strong sense of community cohesion.
The third and final day of the three-day Diwali festivities sees villagers continuing with their traditional folk dances, singing, and community gatherings. The celebrations are brought to a close by late evening, marking the end of this extended period of cultural observance.
Food and hospitality form an intrinsic part of these celebrations. Throughout the three days, guests and visiting relatives are welcomed with traditional delicacies that showcase the rich culinary heritage of the Trans-Giri region. Rather than serving common biscuits with tea, households traditionally offer homemade preparations like ‘shakuli’ and ‘muda,’ often complemented by walnuts and other dry fruits.
In addition to these snacks, traditional dishes such as ‘mashyaala bhaat’ (a rice dish), ‘telpaaki’ (a preparation cooked in oil), ‘uloule’ (a type of dumpling), ‘sidku’ (a steamed rice bread), and ‘khinda’ (a grain-based dish) are meticulously prepared and served for both lunch and dinner, further enriching the festive culinary experience.
The Chenab Times News Desk
