Famous fair in Kangra

 Religious fervour marks Nurpur’s Nagni Fair

The traditional Nagni Fair was celebrated with religious fervour at the Nagni Mata temple, near here, on Saturday. Thousands of devotees from far-off places and neighbouring states thronged the temple to pay the obeisance to the deuty.The temple is famous for holding the longest fair (for two months) in the state, is a distt. level fair.
Local MLA of Nurpur said the construction of the proposed Rs 40lakh check dam in the Nagni gram panchayat would start soon.
About Nagni Temple :

Mata Nagini Temple is located about 6 km away from Noorpur on Mandi – Pathankot highway near Korhi Tikka village. Mata Nagini(female serpent) is the main deity inside the temple.

Importance of the Temple

The person having snakebite, used to come here. The soil of the temple, applied at the spot of snake bite with a glass of holy water to drink, cures the person effected.It is unique that water comes from below the temple, where the idol of Mata Nagini is installed. The water flowing at this place is sufficient for use.

Festivals

According to Hindu mythology, Hindi month Shravan and Bhadon are supposed to be the holy month to worship Nag Devta.On every Saturday of these two months, a traditional Puja is organised here. Worshipping on this day, the devotees are blessed by Mata Nagini. By the blessing, the devotees became free from the fear of snakebite in future.

A fair is also organised during Shravan and Bhadon, which is enjoyed by the locals and the tourist.

Legend/story behind the temple

Although, there are so many legend narrated on behalf of the temple. But the famous one is being narrated here.In the ancient time, this place was a dense forest. An old man living at this place was suffering from Leprosy (kusht Rog). He was in great distress. Even than he used to pray God regularly from the core of his heart, for relief.His prayer accepted and Mata Nagini, appeared in his dream. In the dream, he saw that milk is flowing through a drain nearby..When he came out of the dream, he found it in real. As per direction of Mata Nagini in the dream, he applied the milk and soil over his body and become cure of the disease and get rid of a painful life.Since then he started worshipping Mata Nagini and devoted his whole life in her service.

It is said that the dissidents of that fellow are now the priest of the temple. Local people believe that the priest here, have some supernatural power.The priest says that Mata Nagini in her golden form is seen here, although rarely but gives a stable pleasant feelings which persists for years.

Other famous fair in Kangra

Makar Sankranti in Kangra
Although Makar Sankranti is an all-India festival it is celebrated a little differently in Kangra. It is said that Mata Barjeshwari got herself hurt while fighting the great Demon Mahishashura. To cure herself she applied ghee or clarified butter on her wound and it soon healed. During the Makar Sankranti a big fair is held at the Brajeshwari temple for seven days and special puja is also offered to the deity. Butter sculptures, flower decorations are as much part of the festivals as are holy dips at the Ban Ganga. Bhajans or hymns to the deity too add to gaiety.

Shivaratri and Navaratri at Kangra
Shivaratri is another all-India festival celebrated little differently in Kangra. This festival is as much significant for the people here as for the temples of the town. While most keep fast throughout the day and offer their puja to Lord Shiva at night there is another unique aspect of it. Images of Lord Shiva and Mata Parbati are made either with clay or with cow dung. The idols are then worshiped with greatest devotion. Songs are also sung in praise of the lord Shiva and His Consort Mata Parbati. In all, Shivaratri is an example of a festival that combines devotion and piousness with gaiety.

Navaratri is also another important all-India festival celebrated with gaiety in Kangra. Out of the nine days, the Durga Ashtami holds special significance for the people here. On that day devotees go to offer puja at the local Durga Temple.

Chet at Kangra
Chet, also known as Dholru, is an important festival for the people here. In Kangra, Hamirpur and Bilaspur, the festival takes place on the first day of the month of Chet. In Kangra, the festival is celebrated so as to drive away all that is bad and to usher in prosperity and happiness. Dholru, a special genre of songs, are sung on this occasion.

Spring Festival in Kangra

Unlike the above mentioned festival, the Spring Festival is typical festival of Kangra. It is generally celebrated in March/April, ten days prior to the Baisakhi or Biswa. Young unmarried girls make figurine of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati ; they then worship them for ten consecutive days. They also put on their best dress and gather around a heap of grass. They then sing and dance around that heap adding gaiety to the occasion. On the Baishakhi day the figurines are immersed in a pond or a river.

Biswa or Baisakhi in Kangra
Biswa in Kangra is celebrated at the end of the Spring Festival. Generally it falls on 13th April. However, preparation for the festival starts much earlier. Houses are cleaned and where possible they are applied with fresh coat of paint. The pious also take a holy dip in Ban Ganga. Fairs are held on this occasion and residents take part in it with full gusto.

Haryali at Kangra
Haryali is held on the first day of Shravana (generally 16th July) in the honor of the Rain God. Ten days prior to this festival seeds of five to seven different kinds of grains are mixed together and sowed in a basket filled with earth. It is either done by the head of the household or by the family priest. On the day of the Haryali clay idols of Shiva and Parbati are married off because the devotees believe that it is Their union, which causes fertility to the land.

Sair and Nawala at Kangra
Sair is basically a festival of thanks giving and is held in September or October. A barber goes round with a fruit in a basket (galgal) and the residents bow to the fruit wishing for a rich harvest. Nawala is also a festival of thanksgiving, but it is mainly celebrated by individual Gaddi household of Kangra. This particular festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is believed to have driven out all kinds of misfortunes and calamity.

By: Pooja Sharda