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Thousands throng Baba Hira Bhumia fair in Gwalior
by Ashok Pal

          Gwalior: People come in large numbers to participate in an annual fair at the Baba Hira Bhumia temple here. Visitors are mostly childless couples and those afflicted by various physical ailments, including snakebites. The month-long fair is organised during the Hindu month Bhadrapada or Bhadon (August to September). According to Pita Ram Batham, the priest the temple was constructed in 1933. A big fair takes place at this place during this month. People from Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and other places gather in the fair. Pitha Ram says that childless couples are blessed with progenies on visiting this shrine. Also those who are bitten by snakes and those suffering from Kanthmala (glands in throat) get cured after a visit to the temple. Devotees say that Baba Hira Bhumia, when alive, was famous for his 'supernatural powers' that could bless childless couples and cure people from snakebites. As per a local folklore, at least 500 years ago, Baba Hira Bhumia was born in Pahargarh Village which today falls in Madhya Pradesh's Morena District. It is said that Hira Bhumia scarified his life to save a cow which pleased the local deity and blessed him with magical powers which enabled him to help in curing infertility and snakebites. His ardent followers in the village later started worshipping him as a saint.
- September 12,  2007