Mussoorie: The Dance Of The "Serpent Lord"

Original story

MUSSOORIE: 30 JULY

The Scene at the "Nag Devta" the serpent Lord Temple was electrifying.Women dancing around in trance with their toungue slithering like snakes was a sight to remember.

The devotees at Nag Devta Mandir amidst the chants of “Nag Devta ki Jai” took out a “shobha kalash and Doli  yatra” organized by “Nag mandir samiti.The yatra began at 10.00 A.M. after the priests of the “Nag Devta” temple situated at Cart-Mackenzie Road near Kyarkuli Village at a distance of 4 K.M. from Mussoorie.Devotees offered their prayers to the lord “Nag Raj” incarnate of Lord Shiva.The Kalash and Doli Yatra began from the temple premises as the devotees thousand in numbers especially the women from  surrounding area joined in bare-foot on a 10 K.M. journey. The women followed the “Doli” keeping the Kalash accompanied by sacred coconut on their head. It is a belief that the Kalash is not to be dismounted from the head till the journey is complete. The devotees meandering through the small pathway passed through the village of “Kyarkuli” and “Bhatta”finally ending at the Nag Devta temple.

The local M.L.A Mr.Jot Singh Gunsola and Ex-Nagar Palika President ManMohan Singh Mall also gave their hand to the “Doli” of the lord “Nag Raj”

On the way the arrangements of tea and fruits were made by the “Samiti” for the devotees. The women participation was worth noting as they thronged in large numbers ordained in colourful attire chanting prayers in praise of the lord “Nag Raj.”They were accompanied by the village folk instrument artists who provided the right kind of spiritual synergy to the procession. The “Doli” was then brought back in the temple and established at the  premises and it will remain their till 6th August the auspicious day of “Naag Panchami”.At the temple the atmosphere was highly charged as some women devotees fell in trance and had to be pacified by the head priest.

The women participation in the whole Yatra was heartening as they had come out in large numbers in spite of hostile rainy weather that accompanied the devotees from beginning till end. The devotees did not care for the “leeches” on their feet. Seema who works in Mussoorie said “It was question of faith leeches or no leeches.” Adding further she said, “I am visiting the temple from my childhood all wishes till now have been fulfilled by the lord”.

Shree Chand the old priest said that the “Bhagvad Katha” by Acharya Parsuram jee is also being organized by the samiti which will go on till 6th of August the day Of “Nag Panchami.”

Mohr Singh 87 years old Villager from KyarKuli, said that as the myth goes this <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />Temple is revered since 350 years. Long way back when their ancestors came and settled at this place Nag Raj who also is Our “Kul Devta” came along with them. As the popular belief goes their was a cow that was not producing milk so the villagers investigating the reason followed the cow and found to their astonishment that cow was dropping the milk on one stone which was in the temple and later some women saw “Nag”  the evered snake Drinking the milk at the same place. Considering it as auspicious sign the villagers decided to establish a temple of “Nag Raj’ here. Since then annual Festival is held in Praise of “Nag Raj” here which ends on the day of “Nag Panchami.”

Hoshiar Singh Thapli the chief Organiser and Pradhan elated at this large gathering said, “It is because of the lord this could be possible.” He added further that people from all corners come to seek blessing and their wishes come true at this temple. He also added the festival will end on 6th which is the day of “Nag Panchami.”He thanked the devotees and members of the samiti which included Hukum Singh Rawat,Dayal Singh Rawat,Pati Ram,Dholu Singh,Laxman Singh,Rajendar Singh Thapli and others for their support to the festival.