By Sunil Sonker
Mussoorie, 29 Jun: The famous Maund Fair, which keeps alive the cultural heritage and tribal traditions of Uttarakhand, was organised with enthusiasm and faith in Jaunpur area this year also. Villagers from dozens of villages of Yamuna valley, Aglad valley and Bhadri valley, as well as nearby Jaunsar, Mussoorie and Vikasnagar participated in the fair. They entered the river and caught many tons of fish. During the fair, the villagers also performed traditional dances to the beats of Dhol-Damau.
Villagers of Laalur Patti Khairad, Naingaon, Maror, Matali, Munog, Kaith and Bhutgaon reached Maun Kot on Aglar River with Dhol-Damau carrying Timru powder. After duly worshipping the water god and applying Timru powder to all the Patidaars, the Timru powder was poured into the river. After this, the villagers entered the river to catch fish. People caught fish in an area of about four km from Maunkot to the confluence of Aglar and Yamuna rivers.
In the presence of thousands of villagers and tourists, this fair not only became a traditional fishing festival, but it also gave the message of community unity, folk culture and environmental consciousness.
The history of Maund fair is centuries old. According to local elders and folklore, this fair is associated with the tribal culture of Jaunpur region. In ancient times, when people depended on rivers and streams for their food and water, this tradition of collective fishing started. This tradition took the form of a mass festival over time, and this festival started being celebrated every year before the arrival of the rainy season.
The Maund Mela is now not only a hunting technique, but it has become a symbol of folk tradition, festival, and social gathering. The most special thing about this fair is that no modern equipment is used to catch fish, but the local herb Timru is used. The leaves and twigs of this plant are ground, and its powder is poured into the river, due to which the fish become unconscious for some time, and they are easily caught. This method is a great example of folk knowledge and balanced use of natural resources. The villagers do this very carefully so that the ecosystem of the river is not harmed.
This year, in view of the strong flow in the river and the huge crowd, the National Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was deployed on the spot. The SF team made security circles on the riverbank, arranged for rescue equipment and played an important role in conducting the fair safely. The local administration had also arranged for medical teams, first aid centres and sanitation, so that the entire fair was conducted in a systematic and safe manner. The police also made tight security arrangements.
While the Maund Fair is a festival related to culture, on the other hand, it also teaches the balanced use of natural resources. Experts believe that if caution is exercised along with traditional knowledge, such folk traditions can be carried forward without harming the environment.
The local youth are now thinking of developing this fair from a tourism point of view as well. If administrative support is received, this fair can become a major attraction of Uttarakhand’s folk tradition and cultural tourism.
This Maund Fair celebrated in the Aglad river is about 159 years old. Historians believe that this fair started during the monarchy period in 1866. The Tehri king used to be present at the Maund fair.
