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Raksha Bandhan: Eunuchs celebrate Bhujariya

          Indore: Eunuchs in Indore celebrated the Bhujariya festival. This festival is held a day after Raksha Bandhan. "On this day, we pray for the good of the people, just as a brother and his sister pray for each other on Rakhi. We take out a procession every year to wish the people well," said Nargis, a eunuch. The procession started from Nandlalpura and concluded at the Sarafa market, where 50 grams of saffron and 500 grams silver were offered to Lord Bhairon Baba. On the occasion, eunuchs immerse planted saplings of jowar (great millet) in water and, pray for the prosperity of mankind. The millet is sown on Nag Panchami day, a festival dedicated to the Goddess of snakes. It is celebrated on the fifth day of the moonlit-fortnight in the month of "Shravan" or July-August. The tradition dates back to the medieval period when during a prolonged drought, eunuchs danced for hours to bring a downpour. The celebration takes place on an auspicious day in the month of August according to the Hindu calendar. Eunuchs carry pots of offerings on their head and dance to please the Indra the God.
- August 30, 2007

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