By Sunil Sonker
Mussoorie, 17 Aug: A flood of devotion and faith surged on the Bhadraj Hill of Dudhli, located about 15 kms from Mussoorie, today. The occasion was the Bhadraj Fair, which is dedicated to Lord Balram. It is not just a religious event, but a living tradition of the cultural heritage and faith of the region. With the first ray of the morning amidst heavy rain, a crowd of devotees headed towards Dudhli. Crossing the lush green forests and the paths covered with a blanket of clouds, thousands of people reached the temple to obtain darshan of Bhadraj Devta.
As soon as the aarti of Lord Balram started in the temple premises, the whole valley resounded with the sound of drums, blowing of conches and the proclamation of “Jai Bhadraj Dev”. This fair is not just a religious ritual, but a precious festival associated with the faith and folk traditions of the local people. It is believed that, in ancient times when the villagers of Jaunsar and Pachhuvadun used to come to this hilly area with their cattle during the rainy season, a demon used to kill their cattle. The distressed villagers took sought the aid of Lord Balram. Lord Balram killed the demon and stayed with the shepherds for a long time and took care of the animals. Since then, the villagers built a temple at this place and started worshipping him as Bhadraj Devta.
Even today, the belief remains that Lord Balram protects his devotees and their animals. According to another mythological belief, in the Dwapar era, Lord Balram was passing through this area in the guise of a sage, when a serious disease spread among the cows and animals here. The villagers appealed to him for help. He cured the animals and blessed them that, in Kaliyuga, he will live here as Bhadraj Devta.
Bhadraj Temple Committee Chairman Rajesh Nautiyal said that the Bhadraj Fair held every year is not only a religious event but also a glimpse of folk culture. Local artists gave cultural presentations to the beats of Jaunsari folk dance and Dhol-Damau.
From children to the elderly, everyone was seen dancing in this festival. Devotees performed milk abhishek in the temple and prayed to Lord Balram for the happiness and prosperity of their family. Hundreds of devotees from Mussoorie, Vikas Nagar, Pachwa Doon and Tehri area obtained blessings of Lord Balram.
Among those present were Dinesh Panwar, Ramesh Panwar, Rampal Tomar, Itendra Tomar, Bachan Singh Pundir, Hukum Singh Tomar, Rajendra Prasad Nautiyal, etc.
