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| GUGA NAVAMI |
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| Celebrated In
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Haryana |
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| To Worship :
Guga, The Snake King |
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| In the month
of :
August |
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| Guga is supposed to be the greatest of the
snake-kings. He is worshipped throughout the district in the Hindu month of
Bhadon, corresponding with the month of August. His shrine known as 'Mari' is a
cubical building with a minaret on each corner and a grave inside.
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| The Generous
Snake King |
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| Guga, the snake king is not malevolent, as the
saying goes "Guga beta na dega, tan kuchh na chhin lega" meaning 'if
Guga does not give me a son, at least he will take nothing away from me." Guga,
a Chauhan Rajput, was born at Garhdera near Sirsa. His mother Bachal, who was
reprimanded by all for being barren, had served saint Gorakhnath, the founder
of the community of 'Kanphata Jogis' for twelve years and after the rigorous
penance, Guga was born to her. Guga is said to have possessed supernatural
powers and could cure snake bitten person within no time. |
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| The Celebrations |
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| A long bamboo with the top adorned with
peacock plumes, a coconut, some coloured threads, hand fans (bijna) and a blue
flag mark the celebrations. This is called his 'chhari' or fly flap. On the 9th
day of the month of Sawan, the saints take it round the village, along with the
thumping of drums. People pay obeisance to it and offer 'churmas'. |
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| The five devotees who are the main dancers
while singing the praise of the Pir accompanied by their instruments like
dholak, manjiras, deru, chimta and cymbals dance in tune with the rhythm
shedding tears and beating their chests with iron chains. |
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| If a snake bit a man, people thought he had
been neglecting Guga. The singers of devotional songs dedicated to Guga are
found in villages Assan Kalan, Richhpur, Matlauda and Samalkha. Maris (his
temples) are, of course, to be found in a large number of villages. |
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