The Hindu : New Delhi News : Celebrating the maize festival

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

New Delhi

New Delhi

Celebrating the maize festival

Staff Reporter

SHIMLA: The international Minjar Fair of Chamba inaugurated by the Governor Prabha Rau on Sunday evening is eagerly awaited by the people from Himachal Pradesh and the adjoining areas of Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.

The traditional fair, which begins with the onset of monsoon every year, was initially linked with the arrival of maize crop and the worship of the same by the local population. But now it has assumed a historical and cultural importance and Minjar has been given a status of an international fair. The word Minjar literally means the hairy tentacles on the maize cob.

On the origin of this fair there are various theories and beliefs. Some believe that it is celebrated to worship Varuna, the God of water. According to a legend, in the 10th Century the river Ravi changed its course after a saint performed a Yajna, with a cord of seven colours that he named Minjar, so that a temple could be accessible to pilgrims. Some ascribe the fair to the victory of Raja Sahil Varman of Chamba over the ruler of Kangra, after which he was welcomed at Nalohra bridge with maize stalks.

The Minjar fair begins on the last Sunday of July at the famous lush green Chowgan of Chamba with all religious fervour. Prayers are offered at the Lakshmi-Narain temple and Kunjari Malhar is recited. During the weeklong celebrations, people wear a silken tassel with stalks of Minjar, the maize plant as a symbol of their prayers for a bountiful harvest. Minjars are sent to friends and relatives together with fruits, sweets and money.

Immersion Ceremony

The immersion ceremony, which is the most important part of the festival, is preceded by a colourful procession, which starts from Raghunath Temple in the ancient Akhand Chandi-Mahal of the Raja of Chamba. The idols of Raghubir and various other gods and goddesses in palanquins are taken out from the palace and people in thousands take part in the procession that ends with immersion on the riverbank. The chief guest stands on a decorated platform. Amid the chanting of mantras, he throws minjars, a rupee, a coconut, some drub (sacred grass) and flowers into the river as an offering to the rain-god.

After this ceremony, which marks the end of the fair, the idols of gods and goddesses and Shahi flags are taken back to Akhand Chandi Mahal.

The highlights of the weeklong Minjar Fair are cultural programmes by the cultural troupes from within and outside the State.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi