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          CHETLI (Himachal Pradesh): In a unique but dangerous ritual, a man slides down a hill perched atop a 130-metre long rope, in the remote Bachetli village of Himachal Pradesh. "Jali" came down a specially created 330 mm thick rope with nothing but two sand bags tied to each of his legs to balance himself.

           The suicidal dare-devilry, part of the 'Munda Mahayagya', a fire festival, celebrated once in 85 years, is performed to test and appease the forest deity, who locals say will protect the man from falling off. It takes more than three months and over 50 workers to create the sacred rope. Once complete it is purified by dipping in a river and then taken atop the hill by hundreds of devotees who carry the rope on their shoulders to prevent it from touching the ground.

           Bansi Ram Sharma, organiser of the festival, says the ritual is an indicator of both the deity's powers and his mood towards his people. "This ritual is a kind of test for our deity. The forest and land deity is supposed to protect us from all harm. He is the one who will protect the "Jali" (the man who will slide down the rope) from falling down or dying. If the man falls, the deity fails. It means that either the gods are angry with us or the deity has lost the power to protect us," Sharma said.

          Devotees like Sharma might be relying on the gods for protection but the State authorities have taken no chances. Despite stiff opposition from the villagers, the district administration not only forced the length of the rope to be reduced to 130 metres from the original 150 metres, but also made sure that a safety net was placed underneath to prevent any casualty.

          Much to everybody's relief, the net was not needed and the entire ritual passed off safely. Gopal Chauhan, a jubilant villager, said that Jali being successful meant peace and prosperity for the entire region. "This entire ritual purifies the environment and brings peace and prosperity. It gets people together and promotes brotherhood. It's good for all of us," said Chauhan.

           The festival, which is attended by over 100,000 people, is one of  northern State's most ancient tradition and participation in it is believed to give one a place in heaven. But divinity apart, the festival is predominantly violent in nature. While 'balis' or animal sacrifices performed as part of 'Yagnas' (fire rituals) are commonplace, even the celebrations are marked by drunken games in which people often end up hurting each other.

           Known as the Valley of Gods, Himachal Pradesh is fabled to house the maximum number of deities in the world. It is only once in 85 years this festival is held and it is said that all the deities converge at one place making it the holiest of all times.
(December 14,  2002)

Processions Mark Martyrdom of Guru Teh Bahadur 

          NEW DELHI: Sikhs across India took out religious processions on Saturday, on the eve of the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur. In New Delhi, the procession started from Gurdwara Sisganj in the walled city to Gurdwara Rakabganj near Parliament House.

           Gurdwara Sisganj was built at the place where Guru Tegh Bahadur was martyred and Rakabganj is the place of his cremation. The colourful procession was led by five priests, also known as "Panj Piaras". The devotees carried Guru Granth Sahib, the first sacred book of the Sikhs, in the procession. The book was compiled by the fifth Guru of the community, Guru Arjan Dev (1581- 1606). Hundreds of school children also took part in the procession. Sikhs also paid homage to Guru Tegh Bahadur at various shrines in the Capital.

           Guru Tegh Bahadur was born in 1621 in the then Punjab region of undivided Indian sub-continent. He later became the ninth Guru of Sikhism, which was founded by Guru Nanak Troubled by the frequent conflicts between Hindu and Muslim communities, Guru Nanak tried to work out a synthesis of the two religions. His mission gained popularity among the masses and eventually evolved into the Sikh religion. After his death in 1539, Guru Nanak was succeeded by his disciples, who became Gurus in their turn.

           The ninth Guru, Tegh Bahadur, sacrificed his life defending his faith against the powerful Mughal rulers. Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed by the 17th century Mughal ruler Aurangzeb for resisting conversion of Hindus to Islam. Majority of the Sikh population, which forms nearly two per cent of the country's more than one billion population, mainly resides in northern India, particularly in Punjab and in Delhi.
(December 7,  2002)