Barura Sharif
Introduction to Barura Sharif
The traditional history of Jharkhand tells the story of a famous Sufi Saint who came and visited Jharkhand in the latter half of the 18th century. This renowned saint, Data Amir Ali Shah was highly respected by all because of the influence and impact he had on the mass by the virtue of his simplicity, love, humanity, purity and miracles. His shrine is located at the Barura Sharif, on the banks of the river Sat Bahini in Pratappur in Jharkhand. He is respected and all people, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, just the way he served humanity without looking into their caste, creed or religion. The shrine at Barura Sharif is located only 12 kilometers from Pratappur and presents a quiet and picturesque sight.
Description of Barura Sharif
The shrine at Barura Sharif was constructed at a height of about 10 feet from the bank of the river. To reach the holy site of Barura Sharif, one has to cross a seasonal stream that passes through this shrine. Locally these small rivers or streams are called ‘Saat Bahini’ or the seven sisters. The annual fair of the Barura Sharif is held here with a lot of ceremony and gaiety. People from all over, irrespective of what religion they belong to come to pay their homage to the saint, a man highly respected by both Hindus and Muslims. There are hundreds of devotees who come to his Mazaar. All people who suffer from evil spirits also come to the Barura Sharif to cure themselves.
Time for celebrating Barura Sharif
The Barura Sharif Fair in Jharkhand is held on the eve of Chaitra Navami, which starts from the 1st of the month of Chaitra and lasts till the 10th of the month. The festival ends with the fatiha Khwani( which is the holy recital of the Quran) on the 10th day of Chaitra.
Bhadli Mela
The people in Jharkhand need a reason to celebrate life. This is evident from the number of fairs and festivals that are held in different state premises throughout the year. Apart from the very popular cattle fairs in Jharkhand, there are also a number of religious fairs and festivals that take place in Jharkhand. People from all over the state and from neighboring states come together and gather at the venue to observe the occasion and enjoy the celebrations of the fair. The Bhadli fair in Jharkhand is a religious fair which dates back to ancient times.
The Bhadli Fair in Jharkhand takes place in a place called Itkhori. There is an ancient temple belonging to Goddess Kali and Lord Shiva. It is on the day of Maker Sankranti that the Bhadli fair takes place. On the day of the fair, people from all over gather together for celebrations. The origin of such a religious gathering is still not known.
Other than the cattle fairs in Jharkhand like the Chatra fair, the Kundri Mela, the Kolhaiya Mela and others , there are other fairs and festivals held for different reasons. These include along with Bhadli fair, fairs and festival such as the Graveyard of Jatrahibagh, the Sangat, the Sangharo Mela,the Rabda Sharif and the Barura Sharif. The Sangharo mela take place in Chatra on the day of Sawan Purnima and like many other fairs, its origin is also not known. Both Rabda Sharif and the Barura Sharif are shrines of saints and there are fairs of the saints celebrated with a lot of zeal and passion every year.
Kolhaiya Mela
The state of Jharkhand has earned quite a name as the venue for an endless number of fairs and festivals. These fairs in Jharkhand held with much pomp and splendor give the people of Jharkhand a refreshing break from time to time . There are a number of cattle fairs in Jharkhand, of which the Kolhayia Mela in Chatra is a reputed name.
Though principally a cattle fair in Chatra, like the Kundri Mela, the Kolhaiya mela too is held with a great zeal. It takes place on the day of Magh Basant Panchami. The Kolhaiya Mela , like other cattle fairs in Jharkhand originated much earlier, around the year 1925.
Chatra Mela is the principal cattle fair in Jharkhand. The Kolhaiya Mela along with the Kundri mela are the other cattle fairs in Chatra. There are also the Tutilawa Mela and the Belgada mela in Simaria, and Lawalong mela which comprise of the rest of the cattle fairs her in Jharkhand.
Kunda Mela
Introduction to Kunda Mela in Pratappur
There is always some fair or festival happening in some part of Jharkhand that keeps the people living here busy all year through. .Kunda Mela in Pratappur, Jharkhand is mainly a fair for cattle trade. It takes place in the Chatra District of Jharkhand. It is one of the largest and wide scale fairs that is held in Jharkhand. Participants, buyers and sellers of cattle trek through long distances of dusty roads with their cattle to take part in the Kunda Mela in Jharkhand. Some people also color and dress up their cattle to make them look unique while coming to the Kunda Mela.
Description of Kunda Mela in Pratappur
It is during the occasion of Shivratri that the Kunda Mela takes place. It is attended by people from all over the states well as the neighboring states, such as West Bengal and Chatisgarh. The Kunda Mela involves buying and selling of cattle, which is one of the chief sources of livelihood for the people there. This makes the Kunda Mela one of the most significant fairs in Jharkhand. The Kunda Mela is enjoyed not only by the buyers and sellers of cattle, but also other people of Jharkhand who flock to experience the ambience which is unique to an Indian fair – delicious aromas, excited din, and festive colors!
Time for celebrating Kunda Mela in Pratappur
It is around the time of Falguni Shivratri that the Kunda Mela in Pratappur is held.
Lawalong Mela
Jharkhand is noted for its fairs and festivals and there is always some fair or festival happening in the state, keeping the people in a festive mood throughout the year. There are a number of fairs held in memory of some saint or a pir. Jharkhand is also well known for the number of cattle fairs that take place here. People from near and far travel through the dusty roads to be a part of this festive extravaganza. One such cattle fair in Jharkhand is the Lawalong Mela.
The Lawalong Mela in Jharkhand is an ancient fair that started from about the year 1880. Since then till now, the Lawalong Mela has taken place almost every year. It has emerged as the biggest and one of the most popular of the cattle fairs in Jharkhand. The Lawalong Fair takes place on the day of the Aghan Purnima.
Other cattle fairs in the district of Jharkhand are also petty well known and visited by a number of people from all over the state. These fairs are the Chatra mela, the Kundra Mela and the Kolhaiya Mela in Chatra, the Tutilawa fair and the Belgada mela of Simaria.
Sangat
The word ‘Sangat’ is the Punjabi version of the word ‘Sangti’ which means company. It can also be referred to as some form of fellowship or association. In the vocabulary of th Sikhs, the word ‘Sangat’ holds a special significance. It means a group of men, women or children who come together for a religious meet, especially in the company of the Guru Granth Sahib. The Guru Granth Sahib is the holy book of the Sikhs, a collection of devotional poems, hymn and songs that speaks of morality, humanity of the soul and salvation with God. The Sangat in Jharkhand is thus a significant religious gathering of the Sikhs.
Common use of the word Sangat’ now refers to any gathering of the Sikhs, either at a Gurudwara, or a private residence, in the presence of the Guru Granth sahib, for the purpose of a religious prayer, social ceremony or instruction. It is in the Gudri Bazaar district or Mohalla of Chatra in Jharkhand that the Sangat of Udasi Panth of Sikh doctrine takes place. The Udasis was an ascetic group who claimed to be the descendents of Baba Shri Chand JI, one of the two sons of Guru Nanak and the path they followed; very different from the Khalsa was the Udasi Panth. This place holds special significance because of the fact that there is an ancient script of the Guru Granth Sahib here. This doctrine is respected and venerated and kept in high esteem here by both the Hindus and the Muslims in Jharkhand.
Tutilawa Mela
Jharkhand celebrates their rich culture and livelihood with a number of fairs and festivals. So it is at every fortnight that there is some fair or festival happening in some part of the state. People from all over the state as well as from the neighboring states come to be a part of the grand celebrations and enjoy the revelry of a fair. Cattle fairs in Jharkhand are some of the most popular of the fairs and festivals in Jharkhand. It is not only for the buying and selling of cattle which makes them a grand affair, but also the other enjoyments of a fair such as the races, swinging, acrobatics and wrestling bouts. One such a fair is the Tutilawa Mela in Jharkhand.
It is around the year 1935 that the Tutilawa fair originated in Jharkhand. This is a fair where principally there is buying and selling of cattle .Villagers from far off comes with their cattle to the Tutilawa fair. It is on the auspicious day of Falgun Purnima that the Tutilawa fair takes place.
Other cattle fairs worth mentioning in Jharkhand are the Chatra Mela, The Kundri mela, The Kolhaiya mela, Lawalong Mela and Belgada mela. All these fairs in Jharkhand are held on different days and all are principally cattle fairs. But there are other activities that makes the fair much more jovial and interesting and give all enough reasons to celebrate.
Belgada Mela
Cattle fairs in Jharkhand are of an immense popularity. People from near and far, from the state as well as from the neighboring states come to these fairs to buy or sell their cattle. The cattle fairs give everyone a reason to rejoice and take a respite from the mundane day to day living. These fairs also help them in their business. Of the cattle fairs in Jharkhand, one which is pretty well known is the Belgada Mela.
The Belgada mela takes place on the day of Baisakhi Purnima. Probably the year in which the Belgada Fair originated was 1880. This is also essentially cattle fair though there are other festivities of a fair that can be enjoyed by all during this time.
The other cattle fairs in Jharkhand are the Chatra mela which is held during the Durga Puja and two other fairs that take place in Chatra as well. These are the Kundri Mela which is held on Kartik Purnima and the Kolhaiya Mela held on the day of Magh Panchami. Other cattle fairs in Jharkhand are the Titulawa Mela that is held on Falgun Purnima and the Lawalong Mela, held on the day of the Aghan Purnima.
Chatra Mela
Anyone who cherishes a rich culture would love to visit Jharkhand because of its fondness for fairs and festivals. There is always some kind of a celebration that prevails in the air. The people express their vivacity in the form of fairs and festivals in Jharkhand. There are a number of cattle fairs that take place in Jharkhand. One such popular cattle fair is the Kundri Mela in Jharkhand.
The Kundri Mela in Chatra is the principal cattle fair in Jharkhand. It was as early as 1882 that this cattle fair started in Jharkhand and since then it has been held every year in the state. The Kundri Fair takes place during the month of September/October, around the time of the Durga Puja.
Some other cattle fairs held in Jharkhand other than the Kundri Mela are the Chatra mela, Kolhaiya Mela, Tutilawa Mela, Lawalong Mela and the Belgada Mela..
The Kundri Mela in all probability started much later than the Chatra Fair, in the year 1930 while the Kolhaiya Mela began in the year 1925 and the Belgada Mela about 5 years before. It was around the same time span, in the year 1935 that the Tutilawa Mela began to be held in Jharkhand. The Lawalong Fair comparatively dates back to an earlier time, around the year 1880.
Kolhua Mela in Hunterganj
Introduction to Kolhua Mela in Hunterganj
Jharkhand is well noted for the number of fairs that are held in its premises. All these fairs have active participation from the enthusiastic people, which makes Jharkhand a cheerful and a vivacious state in India. The Kolhua Mela is one such fair in Jharkhand that takes place twice a year in a place called Hunterganj. Hunterganj is at a distance of about 190 kilometers, north of the Kolhua Hill in the Chatra district of Jharkhand.The Kolhua Mela takes place on the top of the Kolhua Hills where an ancient Kali Temple is located. The Kolhua Hills lie about 6 miles south east of Hunterganj.
Description of Kolhua Mela in Hunterganj
The Kolhua Mela in Hunterganj is a very ancient fair of Jharkhand. This Mela takes place on the top of the Kolhua Hill. There is an ancient temple of Goddess Kali on top of the hill. The origin of the temple is not known yet by the historians. The temple is also called the temple of the ‘Kuleshwari Devi’. There is also a water tank on the top. The Kolhua Mela is a religious fair in Jharkhand. On this day a number of pilgrims and devotees flock to the top of the hill to worship the Goddess. To attend the Kolhua Mela in Jharkhand, one has to trek to the top of the hill. It is not an easy trek as the roads are steep and there are no rest houses. But the place is serene and beautiful and one is most likely to forget of the fatigue once he/she reaches the top of the Kolhua Hill and looks around.
Time for celebrating Kolhua Mela in Hunterganj
The Kolhua Mela in Jharkhand is celebrated twice every year. The times for celebrating the Kolhua Mela are during Magh Vasanth Panchami and Ram Navami.
Kundri Mela
There is always some kind of a fair or a festival that happens in Jharkhand keeping the people busy and occupied. It is not that anyone complains since the fun loving and cheerful people of Jharkhand love them. From the fairs and festivals in Jharkhand, the most prevalent fairs are the cattle fairs in Jharkhand. One such cattle fair is the Kundri Mela in Jharkhand.
The Kundri Fair or the Kundri Mela in Jharkhand principally deals with the buying and selling of cattle. This cattle fair is held on the day of the Kartik Purnima. It is said that the Kundri Mela originated in the year 1930, way before India became independent and much before Jharkhand became a separate state.
There are also a number of other cattle fairs in Jharkhand. There is the Chatra Mela, held during the time of the Durga Puja. Other Mela in Chatra other than the Kundri mela is the Kolhaiya Mela, held during the time of Magh Basant Panchami. Other cattle fairs are the Tutilawa Mela that takes place on the day of Falgun Purnima ,the Lawalong Mela which takes place on the day of the Aghan Purnima and the Belgada Mela in Baisakhi Purnima.
Rabda Sharif
There is no end to the time for merriment in Jharkhand, which is always wrapped up in some kind of revelry or the other, in the form of fairs and festivals. In Jharkhand, fairs are also held to pay homage to Sufi saints who visited Jharkhand long time back. The fairs are held around their mazaar, such as the Rabda Sharif or the Barura Sharif, to pay respect to them and the contribution they had over humanity as a whole.
Data Faham Khyal Shah was a contemporary to Data Amir Ali Shah who is a greatly revered and respected Sufi saint, popular with people of all religions, be it the Hindus or the Muslims. The mazaar or the shrine of Data Faham Khyal Shah is situated at Rabda Sharif in Pratappur.
There is an annual fair that is held to pay homage to the saint. This fair at Rabda Sharif is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and passion by all the devotees and there is a wide participation of the people who flock here from in and around the state.
Apart from the Rabda Sharif, the other very renowned and visited mazaar is at the Barura Sharif that of the famed Sufi saint Data Amir Ali Shah. He had a powerful influence over all humanity by the virtue of his views on religion, love, respect and because of his impartiality towards any particular creed or caste, he is still respected by all, both Hindus and Muslims. The fair at the Barura Sharif takes place on a wider scale than Rabda Sharif which nevertheless is a significant fair in Jharkhand.
The Graveyard of Jatrahibagh
Jharkhand has a rich history of struggle against the British subjugation and is the land of long forgotten heroes and fighters. It was under colonization and suppression of the British East India Company for a long time, even before the first war of independence in 1857. The Santhals of Jharkhand had started revolting in their own ways against the British rule, all of which mounted up to offer a significant contribution to the freedom struggle. The graveyard of Jatrahibagh, where the lives of so many of these nameless heroes of unnamed battles remain buried, bears a testimony to all the battles fought and the lives sacrificed for the sake of the freedom of the country.
It is in Jatrahibagh, a place in Hazaribagh that the graveyard of Jatrahibagh is located. It is said to be the burial ground of all the Muslim fighters and soldiers who were fighting the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857, the first war of Indian independence. No doubt all soldiers fighting for their country are martyrs and the graveyard of Jatrahibagh in Jharkhand thus holds special significance as it is the home to all the buried souls of those whose contribution can never be insignificant. The graveyard of Jatrahibagh is also called Anjan Shahid. This Jatrahibagh Graveyard is also famous for the annual fair that was held here during the time of the British.
Introduction to Barura Sharif
The traditional history of Jharkhand tells the story of a famous Sufi Saint who came and visited Jharkhand in the latter half of the 18th century. This renowned saint, Data Amir Ali Shah was highly respected by all because of the influence and impact he had on the mass by the virtue of his simplicity, love, humanity, purity and miracles. His shrine is located at the Barura Sharif, on the banks of the river Sat Bahini in Pratappur in Jharkhand. He is respected and all people, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, just the way he served humanity without looking into their caste, creed or religion. The shrine at Barura Sharif is located only 12 kilometers from Pratappur and presents a quiet and picturesque sight.
Description of Barura Sharif
The shrine at Barura Sharif was constructed at a height of about 10 feet from the bank of the river. To reach the holy site of Barura Sharif, one has to cross a seasonal stream that passes through this shrine. Locally these small rivers or streams are called ‘Saat Bahini’ or the seven sisters. The annual fair of the Barura Sharif is held here with a lot of ceremony and gaiety. People from all over, irrespective of what religion they belong to come to pay their homage to the saint, a man highly respected by both Hindus and Muslims. There are hundreds of devotees who come to his Mazaar. All people who suffer from evil spirits also come to the Barura Sharif to cure themselves.
Time for celebrating Barura Sharif
The Barura Sharif Fair in Jharkhand is held on the eve of Chaitra Navami, which starts from the 1st of the month of Chaitra and lasts till the 10th of the month. The festival ends with the fatiha Khwani( which is the holy recital of the Quran) on the 10th day of Chaitra.
Bhadli Mela
The people in Jharkhand need a reason to celebrate life. This is evident from the number of fairs and festivals that are held in different state premises throughout the year. Apart from the very popular cattle fairs in Jharkhand, there are also a number of religious fairs and festivals that take place in Jharkhand. People from all over the state and from neighboring states come together and gather at the venue to observe the occasion and enjoy the celebrations of the fair. The Bhadli fair in Jharkhand is a religious fair which dates back to ancient times.
The Bhadli Fair in Jharkhand takes place in a place called Itkhori. There is an ancient temple belonging to Goddess Kali and Lord Shiva. It is on the day of Maker Sankranti that the Bhadli fair takes place. On the day of the fair, people from all over gather together for celebrations. The origin of such a religious gathering is still not known.
Other than the cattle fairs in Jharkhand like the Chatra fair, the Kundri Mela, the Kolhaiya Mela and others , there are other fairs and festivals held for different reasons. These include along with Bhadli fair, fairs and festival such as the Graveyard of Jatrahibagh, the Sangat, the Sangharo Mela,the Rabda Sharif and the Barura Sharif. The Sangharo mela take place in Chatra on the day of Sawan Purnima and like many other fairs, its origin is also not known. Both Rabda Sharif and the Barura Sharif are shrines of saints and there are fairs of the saints celebrated with a lot of zeal and passion every year.
Kolhaiya Mela
The state of Jharkhand has earned quite a name as the venue for an endless number of fairs and festivals. These fairs in Jharkhand held with much pomp and splendor give the people of Jharkhand a refreshing break from time to time . There are a number of cattle fairs in Jharkhand, of which the Kolhayia Mela in Chatra is a reputed name.
Though principally a cattle fair in Chatra, like the Kundri Mela, the Kolhaiya mela too is held with a great zeal. It takes place on the day of Magh Basant Panchami. The Kolhaiya Mela , like other cattle fairs in Jharkhand originated much earlier, around the year 1925.
Chatra Mela is the principal cattle fair in Jharkhand. The Kolhaiya Mela along with the Kundri mela are the other cattle fairs in Chatra. There are also the Tutilawa Mela and the Belgada mela in Simaria, and Lawalong mela which comprise of the rest of the cattle fairs her in Jharkhand.
Kunda Mela
Introduction to Kunda Mela in Pratappur
There is always some fair or festival happening in some part of Jharkhand that keeps the people living here busy all year through. .Kunda Mela in Pratappur, Jharkhand is mainly a fair for cattle trade. It takes place in the Chatra District of Jharkhand. It is one of the largest and wide scale fairs that is held in Jharkhand. Participants, buyers and sellers of cattle trek through long distances of dusty roads with their cattle to take part in the Kunda Mela in Jharkhand. Some people also color and dress up their cattle to make them look unique while coming to the Kunda Mela.
Description of Kunda Mela in Pratappur
It is during the occasion of Shivratri that the Kunda Mela takes place. It is attended by people from all over the states well as the neighboring states, such as West Bengal and Chatisgarh. The Kunda Mela involves buying and selling of cattle, which is one of the chief sources of livelihood for the people there. This makes the Kunda Mela one of the most significant fairs in Jharkhand. The Kunda Mela is enjoyed not only by the buyers and sellers of cattle, but also other people of Jharkhand who flock to experience the ambience which is unique to an Indian fair – delicious aromas, excited din, and festive colors!
Time for celebrating Kunda Mela in Pratappur
It is around the time of Falguni Shivratri that the Kunda Mela in Pratappur is held.
Lawalong Mela
Jharkhand is noted for its fairs and festivals and there is always some fair or festival happening in the state, keeping the people in a festive mood throughout the year. There are a number of fairs held in memory of some saint or a pir. Jharkhand is also well known for the number of cattle fairs that take place here. People from near and far travel through the dusty roads to be a part of this festive extravaganza. One such cattle fair in Jharkhand is the Lawalong Mela.
The Lawalong Mela in Jharkhand is an ancient fair that started from about the year 1880. Since then till now, the Lawalong Mela has taken place almost every year. It has emerged as the biggest and one of the most popular of the cattle fairs in Jharkhand. The Lawalong Fair takes place on the day of the Aghan Purnima.
Other cattle fairs in the district of Jharkhand are also petty well known and visited by a number of people from all over the state. These fairs are the Chatra mela, the Kundra Mela and the Kolhaiya Mela in Chatra, the Tutilawa fair and the Belgada mela of Simaria.
Sangat
The word ‘Sangat’ is the Punjabi version of the word ‘Sangti’ which means company. It can also be referred to as some form of fellowship or association. In the vocabulary of th Sikhs, the word ‘Sangat’ holds a special significance. It means a group of men, women or children who come together for a religious meet, especially in the company of the Guru Granth Sahib. The Guru Granth Sahib is the holy book of the Sikhs, a collection of devotional poems, hymn and songs that speaks of morality, humanity of the soul and salvation with God. The Sangat in Jharkhand is thus a significant religious gathering of the Sikhs.
Common use of the word Sangat’ now refers to any gathering of the Sikhs, either at a Gurudwara, or a private residence, in the presence of the Guru Granth sahib, for the purpose of a religious prayer, social ceremony or instruction. It is in the Gudri Bazaar district or Mohalla of Chatra in Jharkhand that the Sangat of Udasi Panth of Sikh doctrine takes place. The Udasis was an ascetic group who claimed to be the descendents of Baba Shri Chand JI, one of the two sons of Guru Nanak and the path they followed; very different from the Khalsa was the Udasi Panth. This place holds special significance because of the fact that there is an ancient script of the Guru Granth Sahib here. This doctrine is respected and venerated and kept in high esteem here by both the Hindus and the Muslims in Jharkhand.
Tutilawa Mela
Jharkhand celebrates their rich culture and livelihood with a number of fairs and festivals. So it is at every fortnight that there is some fair or festival happening in some part of the state. People from all over the state as well as from the neighboring states come to be a part of the grand celebrations and enjoy the revelry of a fair. Cattle fairs in Jharkhand are some of the most popular of the fairs and festivals in Jharkhand. It is not only for the buying and selling of cattle which makes them a grand affair, but also the other enjoyments of a fair such as the races, swinging, acrobatics and wrestling bouts. One such a fair is the Tutilawa Mela in Jharkhand.
It is around the year 1935 that the Tutilawa fair originated in Jharkhand. This is a fair where principally there is buying and selling of cattle .Villagers from far off comes with their cattle to the Tutilawa fair. It is on the auspicious day of Falgun Purnima that the Tutilawa fair takes place.
Other cattle fairs worth mentioning in Jharkhand are the Chatra Mela, The Kundri mela, The Kolhaiya mela, Lawalong Mela and Belgada mela. All these fairs in Jharkhand are held on different days and all are principally cattle fairs. But there are other activities that makes the fair much more jovial and interesting and give all enough reasons to celebrate.
Belgada Mela
Cattle fairs in Jharkhand are of an immense popularity. People from near and far, from the state as well as from the neighboring states come to these fairs to buy or sell their cattle. The cattle fairs give everyone a reason to rejoice and take a respite from the mundane day to day living. These fairs also help them in their business. Of the cattle fairs in Jharkhand, one which is pretty well known is the Belgada Mela.
The Belgada mela takes place on the day of Baisakhi Purnima. Probably the year in which the Belgada Fair originated was 1880. This is also essentially cattle fair though there are other festivities of a fair that can be enjoyed by all during this time.
The other cattle fairs in Jharkhand are the Chatra mela which is held during the Durga Puja and two other fairs that take place in Chatra as well. These are the Kundri Mela which is held on Kartik Purnima and the Kolhaiya Mela held on the day of Magh Panchami. Other cattle fairs in Jharkhand are the Titulawa Mela that is held on Falgun Purnima and the Lawalong Mela, held on the day of the Aghan Purnima.
Chatra Mela
Anyone who cherishes a rich culture would love to visit Jharkhand because of its fondness for fairs and festivals. There is always some kind of a celebration that prevails in the air. The people express their vivacity in the form of fairs and festivals in Jharkhand. There are a number of cattle fairs that take place in Jharkhand. One such popular cattle fair is the Kundri Mela in Jharkhand.
The Kundri Mela in Chatra is the principal cattle fair in Jharkhand. It was as early as 1882 that this cattle fair started in Jharkhand and since then it has been held every year in the state. The Kundri Fair takes place during the month of September/October, around the time of the Durga Puja.
Some other cattle fairs held in Jharkhand other than the Kundri Mela are the Chatra mela, Kolhaiya Mela, Tutilawa Mela, Lawalong Mela and the Belgada Mela..
The Kundri Mela in all probability started much later than the Chatra Fair, in the year 1930 while the Kolhaiya Mela began in the year 1925 and the Belgada Mela about 5 years before. It was around the same time span, in the year 1935 that the Tutilawa Mela began to be held in Jharkhand. The Lawalong Fair comparatively dates back to an earlier time, around the year 1880.
Kolhua Mela in Hunterganj
Introduction to Kolhua Mela in Hunterganj
Jharkhand is well noted for the number of fairs that are held in its premises. All these fairs have active participation from the enthusiastic people, which makes Jharkhand a cheerful and a vivacious state in India. The Kolhua Mela is one such fair in Jharkhand that takes place twice a year in a place called Hunterganj. Hunterganj is at a distance of about 190 kilometers, north of the Kolhua Hill in the Chatra district of Jharkhand.The Kolhua Mela takes place on the top of the Kolhua Hills where an ancient Kali Temple is located. The Kolhua Hills lie about 6 miles south east of Hunterganj.
Description of Kolhua Mela in Hunterganj
The Kolhua Mela in Hunterganj is a very ancient fair of Jharkhand. This Mela takes place on the top of the Kolhua Hill. There is an ancient temple of Goddess Kali on top of the hill. The origin of the temple is not known yet by the historians. The temple is also called the temple of the ‘Kuleshwari Devi’. There is also a water tank on the top. The Kolhua Mela is a religious fair in Jharkhand. On this day a number of pilgrims and devotees flock to the top of the hill to worship the Goddess. To attend the Kolhua Mela in Jharkhand, one has to trek to the top of the hill. It is not an easy trek as the roads are steep and there are no rest houses. But the place is serene and beautiful and one is most likely to forget of the fatigue once he/she reaches the top of the Kolhua Hill and looks around.
Time for celebrating Kolhua Mela in Hunterganj
The Kolhua Mela in Jharkhand is celebrated twice every year. The times for celebrating the Kolhua Mela are during Magh Vasanth Panchami and Ram Navami.
Kundri Mela
There is always some kind of a fair or a festival that happens in Jharkhand keeping the people busy and occupied. It is not that anyone complains since the fun loving and cheerful people of Jharkhand love them. From the fairs and festivals in Jharkhand, the most prevalent fairs are the cattle fairs in Jharkhand. One such cattle fair is the Kundri Mela in Jharkhand.
The Kundri Fair or the Kundri Mela in Jharkhand principally deals with the buying and selling of cattle. This cattle fair is held on the day of the Kartik Purnima. It is said that the Kundri Mela originated in the year 1930, way before India became independent and much before Jharkhand became a separate state.
There are also a number of other cattle fairs in Jharkhand. There is the Chatra Mela, held during the time of the Durga Puja. Other Mela in Chatra other than the Kundri mela is the Kolhaiya Mela, held during the time of Magh Basant Panchami. Other cattle fairs are the Tutilawa Mela that takes place on the day of Falgun Purnima ,the Lawalong Mela which takes place on the day of the Aghan Purnima and the Belgada Mela in Baisakhi Purnima.
Rabda Sharif
There is no end to the time for merriment in Jharkhand, which is always wrapped up in some kind of revelry or the other, in the form of fairs and festivals. In Jharkhand, fairs are also held to pay homage to Sufi saints who visited Jharkhand long time back. The fairs are held around their mazaar, such as the Rabda Sharif or the Barura Sharif, to pay respect to them and the contribution they had over humanity as a whole.
Data Faham Khyal Shah was a contemporary to Data Amir Ali Shah who is a greatly revered and respected Sufi saint, popular with people of all religions, be it the Hindus or the Muslims. The mazaar or the shrine of Data Faham Khyal Shah is situated at Rabda Sharif in Pratappur.
There is an annual fair that is held to pay homage to the saint. This fair at Rabda Sharif is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and passion by all the devotees and there is a wide participation of the people who flock here from in and around the state.
Apart from the Rabda Sharif, the other very renowned and visited mazaar is at the Barura Sharif that of the famed Sufi saint Data Amir Ali Shah. He had a powerful influence over all humanity by the virtue of his views on religion, love, respect and because of his impartiality towards any particular creed or caste, he is still respected by all, both Hindus and Muslims. The fair at the Barura Sharif takes place on a wider scale than Rabda Sharif which nevertheless is a significant fair in Jharkhand.
The Graveyard of Jatrahibagh
Jharkhand has a rich history of struggle against the British subjugation and is the land of long forgotten heroes and fighters. It was under colonization and suppression of the British East India Company for a long time, even before the first war of independence in 1857. The Santhals of Jharkhand had started revolting in their own ways against the British rule, all of which mounted up to offer a significant contribution to the freedom struggle. The graveyard of Jatrahibagh, where the lives of so many of these nameless heroes of unnamed battles remain buried, bears a testimony to all the battles fought and the lives sacrificed for the sake of the freedom of the country.
It is in Jatrahibagh, a place in Hazaribagh that the graveyard of Jatrahibagh is located. It is said to be the burial ground of all the Muslim fighters and soldiers who were fighting the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857, the first war of Indian independence. No doubt all soldiers fighting for their country are martyrs and the graveyard of Jatrahibagh in Jharkhand thus holds special significance as it is the home to all the buried souls of those whose contribution can never be insignificant. The graveyard of Jatrahibagh is also called Anjan Shahid. This Jatrahibagh Graveyard is also famous for the annual fair that was held here during the time of the British.
