Small Trip to Small Town

I cramped into ramshackle taxi and waiting it to move.  When all seats became full driver start with lots of attitude.  I was going Bhowali, which is small town near Nainital, to see Nanda Devi Festival there…

When I reached Bhowali I moved to temple. Though I was thinking temple would be overcrowded but for my irony temple was empty.  Few saints were there and two priests were doing prayer in main temple of Goddess Nanda…

This festival is vastly celebrated in Uttarakhand, India. It says that this festival has begun from 16^th century which is still celebrates by the local people.  The special thing about festival is that the Idol of Goddesses makes by the local artisans. Basic structure of idol make by banana tree. This is very time taking and tedious work. It starts one day before festival.  Next day priest bring them to the main temple and grand celebration starts…

 

Well I went to idol of Nanda and Sunanda which was glittering with jewelry and gaudy items. I saw one priest between two was a young guy at the age of 14-15 only.  If he is doing this seriously then it would be really shocking but I am sure after festival he will turn into his daily life. My only goal was to click pictures but I did prayer also because one priest came and gave me flower petals and rice seeds. After clicking pictures I turned out… 

I told by one guy that some cultural functions are going on in this occasion. I went to the hall which was pitched on bare field. Hall was almost empty when I entered.  Red & white plastic chair arranged in one corner of hall and 4-5 big white sofas were placed in front of plastic chairs, which must be for special guest. I was thinking to sit on plastic chair but then a guy came and offered me to sit in white sofa. I was treating like special guest I thought. Well that guy knew me as a journalist, which he told me later. I occupied seat in white sofa and noticed raised platform at the other end where program would be start. There some more sofas were placed…

Hall was still empty but ear-deafening devotional music was blearing through loudspeaker. I don’t understand why always blear music in such volume which can’t be tolerated by anyone but people enjoy this chaotic sound.  Well I changed my seat to secure my ears from this sound. When I was busy in observing inside activity then group of dancers took entry. They were dancing regional dance called CHHOLIYA which is basically a fighter’s dance that’s’ why they always carry sword and in their hands.  But for my irony dancers were dancing in their own music and loudspeaker were still blearing songs…

After this dance crowd start coming in hall. One lady came to me and ask – are you journalist ? From which paper you belong ? You saw paintings ? My son won award for his painting.  She did not wait for me to reply and continue talking then she walks to the stage where paintings were hanging on the wall. I left alone again. 3-4 child artists came and went to back stage. Meanwhile few local artists took stage and start their performance luckily music has turned off now. One of them came to mike and shows his grief about spoiling culture…  

Organizers were sprinting from one end to other and busy to give instructions. Hall was pack now so as white sofas. Anchor came on stage give opening speech and start calling name who would be the chief guests. After 2-3 name anchor announced my name and said – Vineeta Yashswi please come on stage. I was amused by my name… I was there as a viewer not as a chief guest. But that time I could not do anything so moved to stage where a lady tie badge on my chest...

 This program went on till 5 minutes and then anchor again give stage to artist. And they start their performance. Though drum is not part of local music but now this is the age of fusion so we should accept this.  I noticed that one room is attached behind the main stage for artist to change.  From where kids were popping out to see stage program. I was on stage so not able to click pictures but I did try to click some...

 

Between the program hustle- bustle become fast and everybody went to the gate. I came to know that special chief guest of program is about to reach, who was Honorable Uttarakhand State Minister Mr. Govind S. Kunjwal . Everybody went to gate to receive him. He entered into hall surrounded by huge mob. He seems to be a simple person. He wished everyone then came to stage and takes his position.  Round of tea and sweet starts now. Anchor again hold mike and thank to Honorable Minister to accept invitation to come on the occasion and request him to start program officially to light the wick lamp. One magazine also has been released by him so he called him to release the book and also called us to join him...

 After this I walked off from the stage. One guy offered me food which was arranged by the organizers. I went to another hall which was attached with this hall. One long wooden table was surrounded with people where food was served. I also stand there. Food which was Rise, Dal, Sabzi and pickle served to me on dry leaf plate. For me this was the best part of this whole program. I thank everybody to give me such respect and back to taxi stand…