Devi Dhura Bagwal drenches devotees in fruits, flowers
Garhwal Post Bureau
Champawat, 28 Aug: The renowned Bagwal Mela at the Shaktipeeth of Maa Varahi Dham, Devi Dhura, was celebrated with grandeur on Raksha Bandhan today with Chief Minister and local MLA Pushkar Singh Dhami being the chief guest. The Mela drew lakhs of devotees who witnessed the unique traditional stone battle performed symbolically with fruits and flowers. The ritual, held this afternoon, has kept alive centuries‑old traditions in a vibrant display of faith and culture.
CM Dhami arrived by helicopter at Devi Dhura helipad, where he was welcomed with traditional Chholiya dance and greeted by Cabinet Minister Ram Singh Kaida, District Magistrate Manish Kumar and other representatives. He offered prayers at Maa Varahi temple, praying for the prosperity and happiness of the people of Uttarakhand, and extended greetings on Raksha Bandhan. He described the Bagwal fair as a living symbol of the state’s deep faith, rich folk culture and community participation, reiterating the government’s commitment to preserving cultural roots and heritage alongside modern development.
The CM also reminded the gathering of the ongoing works under the ‘Manaskhand Mandir Mala Mission’, including reconstruction of Garhwal Kham Bhavan at a cost of Rs 4.27 crores and Ranakochi temple at Rs 4.57 crores, as well as beautification of Ghatach temple, construction of Ghatku Hidimba temple, bathing ghat at Sapteshwar Mahadev and improvements at Ladhaundhura fair site. He shared that an amount of Rs 1.95 crores has been sanctioned for road surfacing from Ghatach to Jhalimali temple, Rs 4.70 crore for beautification of various temples and Rs 5 crores for street lighting on the Purnagiri route. In the past five years, 397 works worth Rs 68.58 crores have been completed under religious infrastructure and beautification he reminded.
On this occasion, the CM also announced that Devi Dhura will be made a Nagar Panchayat area and that a multi‑level parking facility costing Rs 9.80 crores will soon be constructed. He said the Bagwal fair has been declared a ‘State Fair’ to enhance its stature and strengthen arrangements. He emphasised that religious tourism aims to boost the local economy and generate employment opportunities, calling upon the youth to actively participate in preserving traditions under the resolve of ‘development with heritage’.
Dhami also witnessed the ancient battle play between the four Khams and seven Thoks, in which the participants dressed in colourful traditional attire entered the arena with bamboo and ringal shields, chanting the name of Maa Varahi. The ‘battlefield’ echoed with shouts of devotion as fruits and flowers were hurled, symbolising blessings and prosperity. Chief priest Pandit Kirtiballabh Joshi conducted the rituals and explained that playing Bagwal with fruits and flowers is considered highly auspicious.
On this occasion, leaders including Union Minister of State and local MP Ajay Tamta, district panchayat chairperson Anand Singh Adhikari, temple committee president Hiraballabh Joshi, BJP district president Govind Samant, former MLA Puran Singh Fartyal and several other dignitaries were also present along with a large number of devotees and citizens.
