STATE TIMES NEWS
BHADARWAH: Despite heavy snowfall and extreme cold wave conditions, fasting women folk dressed colourfully, came out in large numbers, thronged temples in knee-deep snow to offer prayers, celebrating “Kanchouth festival”, a symbol of the ancient Nag culture here.
Believing that the snowfall on this day of Gouri Tritiya is a good omen, Nag devotees prayed and hoped that Corona pandemic will finally end.
The age-old festival is celebrated across the hilly Chenab region as Hindus believe that on this day of Gouri tritiya, Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati got married and the latter insisted on a throne made of snow as her wedding gift. Thus, snow during the festival is considered a good omen.
One of the main function was observed at hill top village Jatanai of Chinchora Panchayat, 30 km from Bhadarwah town, where women irrespective of their age clad in bridal costumes came out wading through snow to reach nearby temple to celebrate the festival in a traditional fashion. Beside Jatanai, the main programmes were reported from Kotli, Mathola, Ghata, Khakhal, Gupt Ganga, Chinnote, Kapra, Bhalra, Bheja, Chinchora and other temples of the area. The festival was celebrated by married women to pray for the long life of their husbands. The occasion has great significance in the life of every married woman. The day is considered pious for women when they can pray to Goddess Gauri for the long and healthy lives of their husbands. Bangles, suit, Bindis, Sindur and Mehndi are considered sanctimonious to be offered to the Goddess as well as to be worn by the women observing fast.
A young married of Jatani Bhadarwah Sapna Devi said that I’m super excited as for me this festival ‘Kanchouth’ is one of my favorite festival. I got married a few years back and my mother-in-law and other elderly ladies of the village teached me the traditions which, “I’m really loving to perform every year.”
Sumita Devi, of Jatani Bhadarwah said that Kanchouth gives us a different kind of high as on this day, our mother-in-law seeks blessings from us by touching our feet and we get the liberty to enjoy as following the tradition husbands manage the kitchen for three days. Another beauty of this festival is that we touch everyone’s feet to seek blessing irrespective of their religion, caste or creed.