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Pithoragarh News: Jagar is an ancient folk tradition of Uttarakhand, in which the gods are invoked on the beats of Dhol-Damau. It is sung at night and folk singers recite Jagriya Devgatha. It is believed that during this ritual the gods incarnate and provide solutions to people’s problems.
Jagar is an ancient folk-religious tradition of Uttarakhand, which is associated with “waking up” the gods and folk deities. The word ‘Jagar’ itself means awakening. In this, the story of the Gods is sung through the beats of Dhol-Damau, songs and stories. It is believed that during Jagar, gods incarnate and provide solutions to the problems of the devotees.
The tradition of Jagar is centuries old and its roots are found in Shaiva, Shakta and folk beliefs. This tradition has been going on since the time when oral traditions were more prevalent in the mountains than written texts. History, folklore and religion have been transmitted from one generation to the next through Jagar in every village.
Jagar is mainly performed for folk deities. Prominent among them are Golu Devta, Bhumiya Devta, Gangnath, Adi Dev, Haru Sem, Pandavas and Nanda Devi. The jagar of each deity is sung in a different style and story. These deities are considered symbols of justice, protection and welfare.
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Jagar is organized every night and lasts for several hours, sometimes all night. In this, the “Jagariya” (singer) sings the story of the deities and the deity is believed to have descended on the “Dangaria” or “Pashwa”. The atmosphere becomes spiritual due to the special beat of Dhol-Damau. At the end questions are asked to the deity and solutions are sought.
It is a popular belief that by doing Jagar, the Gods are pleased and the calamities befalling the family or village are removed. People perform Jagar to solve problems related to illness, mental distress, family disputes or crops. It is believed that the Gods provide true guidance to the Jagar and also warn against wrong actions.
Jagar is not only a religious ritual but also a medium of social unity. The entire village is involved in this, which strengthens mutual relations. This tradition keeps folk music, dance and language alive. The life, struggle and faith of the mountains are clearly visible in Jagar’s songs.
The tradition of Jagar is alive even in modern times. Although now there have been some changes in its form, the faith still remains the same. Now Jagar is also being presented on stages and cultural programs, due to which the new generation is connecting with its roots.
Jagar is the symbol of the soul of Uttarakhand. This is such a confluence of faith, music and tradition, which becomes a bridge between man and God. Despite the changing times, Jagar still remains an important part of people’s faith and life.
