Devendra Chand Deva, Tanakpur, Amrit Vichar. Along with Kumaon, Anthu or Gaura festival of neighboring country Nepal is celebrated with pomp and traditional manner. This festival will start from today, Saturday, on the day of Panchami. The main attraction of this festival will be Anthu festival on Ashtami on 26th August.
On the basis of mythological beliefs, this festival begins every year after the paddy plantation is over. There is a mythological belief that Maa Parvati, who is also given the form of Gauri, performed severe penance to seek Lord Shiva i.e. Maheshwar as her boon.
During this time, she had to face many difficulties. Later, as a result of her penance, she got married to Lord Shiva. It is said that on the basis of these beliefs and mythological stories, this festival is celebrated as their marriage. It is worth mentioning that on the Panchami festival of Bhadra month, five grains which include wheat, gram, gurus, maas and ghat are soaked in a pure copper vessel. These are called Biruda. The next day, Biruda is washed with clean water and kept in a clean place or temple.
On Saptami festival, married women tie the dube thread kept at the place where Biruda is kept on their neck and hand and make vows and wishes for happiness and prosperity. On Ashtami festival, games are organized on Gaura ground. In which games, Jhora and Chachari songs are presented by women, men and children.
During this time, the idols of Maa Gaura and Maheshwar made from 9 things including grass and kusha are dressed in good clothes, placed in a palanquin and taken around and worshipped. During this time, the penance done by Maa Gaura is also described beautifully through songs. On the Ashtami festival, Maa Gaura and Lord Maheshwar are worshipped with Biruda soaked in five grains. The Dangris and priests perform the puja and bless the people by applying Akshat to them. Later, the Biruda is worshipped at home and people are wished for their happiness and prosperity.
Gaura festival has been kept alive in Pithoragarh and Gumdesh
Even though Gaura festival has become a mere formality in other parts of Kumaon, even today this festival is celebrated with great pomp in the Gumdesh region bordering Nepal in Champawat district along with Pithoragarh district. Here this festival continues for more than a week, while people from the neighboring country Nepal also participate enthusiastically in the programs organized in Gaura festival in Gumdesh region. On the other hand, this festival is celebrated with great pomp in the neighboring country Nepal. At present, this festival is being celebrated with great enthusiasm in Nepal.
