Jaunpur-Rawain Diwali being celebrated with fervour

MUSSOORIE, 29 Nov: The Diwali of Jaunpur and Rawain, which falls after one month of the Diwali celebrated elsewhere in the nation is being celebrated with pomp and fervour. This Diwali is celebrated for five days continuously, each day having different significance. Bagwali is the local term used for this festival.
“Barat” or “Bhand”, a cultural act is performed on the third and fourth day of Bagwali celebrations. It has an historical implication attached to the festival. It is on the third day on the occasion of “Barat” that some villagers organise the game of Tug-o-War in which children, women, young and old of the village participate actively. It is believed that ‘Bhand’ or “Barat” has a mythological bearing and is correlated with the “Samudra Manthan”.
It is believed that to celebrate this event “Barat” is celeberated with pomp and fervour in the region. According to Surat Singh Rawat, an expert on Jaunpur, another ancient belief involved a Naagin (Snake) that roamed the villages in Jaunpur region and was killed mistakenly. The place where she was killed, a grass called Babai locally emerged which the villagers believe is the form of the Naagin killed. Since that day, the rope for the Bhand is made from this grass, which is used in the tug-o-war.

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