Monday, January 23, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Chaurasi Temple
Location : Near Chamba, Himachal Pradesh
Worshipped Deities : Goddess Lakshmi, Manimahesh, Ganesha, and Nar Singh
Chaurasi Temple is situated in a spectacular hill station and former Chamba capital called Bharmaur at a distance of 65 kilometer from Chamba. This 9th century temple is considered an immensely important from the point of view of religion.
This ancient temple is located amidst lush greenery and picturesque landscapes. This, in fact, is a conglomerate of a number of temples that are known to contain chaurasi or eighty four shivalingams. These phallus temples are quiet sacred to the Hindu devotees for whom lingam is a source of fertilization and sacredness. Chaurasi Temple houses several deities' sculptures including Lakshmi, Manimahesh, Ganesha and Narsimha gods.
The scenic beauty of these temples is a source of attraction for the tourists. Those who come to visit Kullu valley must not miss the chance to come to Bharmaur. Due to the presence of innumerable lingams, this place is better known as "Shiv Bhumi". As the land is inhabited by Gaddi tribals, the temple complex is also known by the name "Gadderan".
Legends Related to Temple :
According to legends, the sacred land of Bharmaur was visited by eighty four saints who were commonly called Chaurasis. The king of Bharmaur, Sahil Verma, greeted Chuarasis with warmth and hospitality. Pleased by his behavior, Chaurasis gave him the blessing that he would become father of ten sons and a daughter. In order to commemorate their divine visit, a number of shrines have been built near the temple complex.
Today, Chaurasi Temple has become one of the most visited sites by the pilgrims who march to this divine place in order to have self realization and a feeling of recluse.
Worshipped Deities : Goddess Lakshmi, Manimahesh, Ganesha, and Nar Singh
Chaurasi Temple is situated in a spectacular hill station and former Chamba capital called Bharmaur at a distance of 65 kilometer from Chamba. This 9th century temple is considered an immensely important from the point of view of religion.
This ancient temple is located amidst lush greenery and picturesque landscapes. This, in fact, is a conglomerate of a number of temples that are known to contain chaurasi or eighty four shivalingams. These phallus temples are quiet sacred to the Hindu devotees for whom lingam is a source of fertilization and sacredness. Chaurasi Temple houses several deities' sculptures including Lakshmi, Manimahesh, Ganesha and Narsimha gods.
The scenic beauty of these temples is a source of attraction for the tourists. Those who come to visit Kullu valley must not miss the chance to come to Bharmaur. Due to the presence of innumerable lingams, this place is better known as "Shiv Bhumi". As the land is inhabited by Gaddi tribals, the temple complex is also known by the name "Gadderan".
Legends Related to Temple :
According to legends, the sacred land of Bharmaur was visited by eighty four saints who were commonly called Chaurasis. The king of Bharmaur, Sahil Verma, greeted Chuarasis with warmth and hospitality. Pleased by his behavior, Chaurasis gave him the blessing that he would become father of ten sons and a daughter. In order to commemorate their divine visit, a number of shrines have been built near the temple complex.
Today, Chaurasi Temple has become one of the most visited sites by the pilgrims who march to this divine place in order to have self realization and a feeling of recluse.
Common festivals of Gaddi
Baishakhi: Baisakhi or 'Bisu' is celebrated on the Ist of month of mid April "Baisakh" by the people of Gaddi Tribe. They take cakes of Bhares and wheat flour on this day.
Sair: "Sair" is celebrated by Gaddi Tribe with great enthusiasm on 1st of Asuj (Sept-Oct) month. Meat is eaten and some even take "Sur"(homemade beer) & Babrus of wheat flour are eaten with variety of vegetables. All of them go to their relatives, specially married daughters visit theri parents. This day is considered as the end of rainy season. And new clothes are purchased for this occasion.
Patroru Sagrand: "Patroru Sagrand" is celebrated by Gaddi Tribe on 1st of Bhadon (August-September) month. On this day `Kachalu leaves' roled with `Besan' (gram dal flour) are fried in oil and Babrus is even eaten on this day.
Lohri: "Lohri" is also celebrated by Gaddi Tribes. `Khichari' of rice and Mashed Dal is eaten with Desi Ghee and curd on this day.
Shivratri: favourite festival of Gaddis is Shivaratri as it is associated with Lord Shiva in the month of Phalgun (Feb-March). Some Gaddi Tribe keeps fast and cereals are not taken by many persons
Sair: "Sair" is celebrated by Gaddi Tribe with great enthusiasm on 1st of Asuj (Sept-Oct) month. Meat is eaten and some even take "Sur"(homemade beer) & Babrus of wheat flour are eaten with variety of vegetables. All of them go to their relatives, specially married daughters visit theri parents. This day is considered as the end of rainy season. And new clothes are purchased for this occasion.
Patroru Sagrand: "Patroru Sagrand" is celebrated by Gaddi Tribe on 1st of Bhadon (August-September) month. On this day `Kachalu leaves' roled with `Besan' (gram dal flour) are fried in oil and Babrus is even eaten on this day.
Lohri: "Lohri" is also celebrated by Gaddi Tribes. `Khichari' of rice and Mashed Dal is eaten with Desi Ghee and curd on this day.
Shivratri: favourite festival of Gaddis is Shivaratri as it is associated with Lord Shiva in the month of Phalgun (Feb-March). Some Gaddi Tribe keeps fast and cereals are not taken by many persons
Thursday, January 19, 2012
A brief Introduction
Gaddis are a community living mainly in the Himachal Pradesh . They are Hindus and belong to several castes including Ahir,Brahmin, Rajput mugyal,thakur jaryal, Dhangar/Gaderiya, Khatri, Rana and Thakur.
They are widely respected for their honesty, friendliness and peaceful lifestyle. They have great faith in Gods and Goddesses especially Lord Shiva. The language (dialect) spoken within the community is Gaddi. Old people used the Tankri script. Crime is almost unknown in Gaddi villages. Gaddi is a generic term used for all of the indigenous population of the Bharmaur area of Chamba district and some regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Gaddis include Savarnas - such as Brahman, Rajput, Khatri, Thakur, Rathi and the non–savarnas like Hali, Rihare and Dom Although all are categorised as scheduled tribes by virtue of either their living in a scheduled area or having semi-nomadic lifestyle, the non-savarnas are included separately as scheduled castes. There is custom prevalent among the savarna of calling themselves as Gaddi whereas calling others by their respective caste names. Most common Rajput Gaddi Castes are: Chouhans, mugyal,Lalhals, Purhans, Sanu, Bersain, Jaryal, Sanjan etc.
The Basua on first Baisakh, the Patroru on first Bhadon, the Sair on first Assuj, the Lohri on first Magh, and the Dholru on first Chet are the fairs they celebrate.
They are widely respected for their honesty, friendliness and peaceful lifestyle. They have great faith in Gods and Goddesses especially Lord Shiva. The language (dialect) spoken within the community is Gaddi. Old people used the Tankri script. Crime is almost unknown in Gaddi villages. Gaddi is a generic term used for all of the indigenous population of the Bharmaur area of Chamba district and some regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Gaddis include Savarnas - such as Brahman, Rajput, Khatri, Thakur, Rathi and the non–savarnas like Hali, Rihare and Dom Although all are categorised as scheduled tribes by virtue of either their living in a scheduled area or having semi-nomadic lifestyle, the non-savarnas are included separately as scheduled castes. There is custom prevalent among the savarna of calling themselves as Gaddi whereas calling others by their respective caste names. Most common Rajput Gaddi Castes are: Chouhans, mugyal,Lalhals, Purhans, Sanu, Bersain, Jaryal, Sanjan etc.
The Basua on first Baisakh, the Patroru on first Bhadon, the Sair on first Assuj, the Lohri on first Magh, and the Dholru on first Chet are the fairs they celebrate.
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