Bissu Mela
Bissu Mela is a festival celebrated in the Garhwal region to express gratitude for a good harvest season. Men and women of the Jaunsari tribe sing and dance to folk music while wearing vibrant traditional attire from their region. People from nearby areas gather to pray to Santoora Devi, an incarnation of Goddess Durga, and offer her rhododendron flowers. Bissu Mela is celebrated by the Jaunsari tribe and is considered an essential part of their cultural heritage. Its origins are linked to the Pandavas from the epic Mahabharata, and this tribe is primarily found in the Chakrata and Kalsi blocks.
This grand festival is celebrated in the Chakrata Block of Dehradun, located about 87 kilometers from the city of Dehradun and 115 kilometers from Mussoorie. Bissu Mela lasts for more than a week and serves as a special occasion for villagers to celebrate their traditional culture and customs. People from distant places come together, making it a platform for social interaction. They meet one another, reminisce about old memories, and lay the foundation for new relationships. During this time, traditional dishes like sweet puris are brought from home and offered to sisters and daughters, symbolizing brotherhood and affection.
The festival features various traditional dances such as Tandiy, Harul, Jhaeta, and Rasau, which mesmerize the attendees. These dances are an essential part of the local culture, allowing people to experience their community’s rich cultural heritage. Bissu Mela is not just a festival; it is an integral part of the identity and life of the Jaunsari tribe, keeping them connected to their roots.
The festival concludes with various programs and events, including musical performances by the villagers. Thus, Bissu Mela is not only a celebration of agricultural produce but also a symbol of the vibrancy of Jaunsari culture and the unity of their community. This festival is celebrated every year with grandeur and dignity, inspiring future generations to cherish their traditions.
Jaunsari Tribe
The Jaunsari are a small community found in Uttarakhand, specifically in the Jaunsar-Bawar region of the western portion of the state. They speak the Jaunsari language, which is an Indo-Aryan language, and predominantly practice Hinduism.
