| Sairi
The first day of the month of Ashwin is celebrated as the festival of
Sairi. This is a winter festival which comes when the maize crop is ready
for harvesting. The nomadic Goddess of Bharmor (Gadderan) celebrate this
prior to migrating downwards into the valleys of Chamba, Bhatiyat, Kangra
and Mandi for the winters. They treat it as a festival of farewells. At
night they get drunk and dance and sing.
Sweet
Bhaterus are cooked in each house and Pakodus (dumplings made out of ground
Urd Dhal) are also cooked and served. The young men and women put Henna
(seur) on their palms and the soles of their feet. At night the village
barber decorates a large yellow lemon with kumkum and rice and arranges
it in a basket with coconut and flowers. This he carries around the village
from door to door. Each house-hold awaits the arrival of this basket and
when it comes the carrier along with the basket are received warmly and
flowers, sweets and money are placed in the basket as offering. This festival
symbolises the well being and prosperity of the entire community. New
brides visit their parents during this festival and those who cannot come
for some reason, sent gifts to the parents. |
