A BRIEF NOTE ON “MAURI MELA” (With courtesy MANMOHAN SINGH SAJWAN)

DAINDA HONYAN KHOLI KA GANDESHA - DAINDA HONYAN MAURI KA NARAINA

A BRIEF NOTE ON MAURI:

The famous Mauri Mela celebrated in every 12 years in the Village-TAMLAG situated in the enchanting valley of Gagwarshynu just 18 Kilometers away from the Hill Town "PAURI".

It is really difficult to explain about the history of Mauri and also not easy to say something on its objective. The fact of the matter is that nobody has a solid proof on its inception and there are no any historical testimonials to claim on its testification. While asking to the old or senior people of the village, they would have their own facts & figures about it. However, the gist is that it is one of the oldest festivals which have been celebrated from the ancient time.

The MAURI solemnize in every 12 years in the premises of sanctuary “BHAIRON MANDIR” at Thada Khol of this village (pl. see photograph no. 2&3). It is an epic & saga itself, linked to the ‘Satyug’ time and relates to “MAHABHARTA” especially the part of “PANDAVA” whose invisible soul can be seen through their dance/gesture on the beats of Dhol & Damau - incarnation in the human body, particularly from this village.

The following: Lord Krishna (Narain), Bhairon Nath, Hanuman Ji, Karan, Bhabreeq, Abhimanyu & his son Phuleri Govind, Kunti (Mata), Drupadi, Rukmandi, Rupainda, and all the five 'Pandav' including villagers own Kuldevta/Kuldevi like as Maa Balasundri, Maa Bhubneshwari, Maa Kali are the central attraction of Mauri.

It is not an Armageddon or Kurukshetra but is a sanctum where all the above said sacred entities are categorized in the form of Deity/God and are worshipped by the people. They come down and take the incarnation in any human body of this village and perform with the beats of Dhol & Damou on their particular Sanctus (stutigan-Barta)/Hymn.. recite by sanctusrer (Auji-Das-Dhol Bajane Wala)term-wise (Pl. see the photograph no.06 from the left side which has been taken in the last Mauri i.e. on 6th July, 2002).

Kunti – called the ‘MATA’ by everyone in the village. She has a central character amongst the entire said Deity. The sanctusrer (Auji-Das-Dhol Bajane Wala) hymn/worshiped her in the beginning of every “MANDAN” i.e. ‘PANDAV NRITYA’. Even though, she is invited first at the ‘Bhairon Mandir’ by bringing her from her house followed by Dhol & Damau.

The MAURI begins…...

The MAURI MELA commence before the sixth month of its ending of every 12 years. The people of this village continuously use to dance day & night throughout the six month on the beats of Dhol & Damau, which is called “MANDAN”. A group of dancing people also called “PANDON”.

The sixth month’s period of celebration of MAURI most probably falls between the months from January to July. In the mid of this period a sacred long journey is taken place on the day of Baishaki, i.e. 13th April, all the people of this village including the other villagers visit to DEVPRAYG for a holy bath in the meeting point (Sangam) of the Rivers Alaknanda & Bhagirathi. While returning on the next day, they stay for a while in the village- KUNDI, Patti Kandwalshynu for a lunch and invite the village-KUNDI on the eve of the day of Mauri celebration - the said village has also been known as a parental home (Mayaka/Mait) of Kunti Mata.

The four villages namely GUMAI-SAMPUR-PUNDORI-NEGYANA are also invited on the eve of the day of Mauri. The people of these villages visit this village throughout dancing on the way. The crowd mixed with the onlookers turned out thousands in numbers make this village totally vacuous. As a polite & humble host the people of this village Tamlag are always ready to arrange every sort of need of their guest.

The last day of the celebration of Mauri is the most attractive and enjoyable day for the onlookers. The crowd followed by Dhol & Damau with dancing people visit to the Jungle of Vill-Sumerpur which is 7-8 kilometer away from vill-Tamlag called Sumeru Van. The Hanuman (one from Vill-Tamlag & the other from Vill-Kundi) climbs on two separate pines tree (Kulain ki Daali) and sapped it out. The said both tree are brought back to the village without any stoppage anywhere and after a week’s time the same trees submerged into the nearby stream. (The last MAURI celebrated in the year 2002 was attended by approx. one lakh people).

A Ram (Khadu) plays an important role on the valedictory of MAURI.