Jhanda Mela Dehradun

Kajal, 2 weeks ago, 6 min read, 110 Views

One of the most popular fairs in Uttarakhand, the Jhanda Mela Dehradun, or the “Jhande ka Mela,” in Dehradun is celebrated for its religious importance. This is one of the biggest fairs in Northern India and draws thousands of Sikh fans from all over the country. Individuals from all communities and beliefs come together to ask Jhanda Sahib for blessings.

History of Jhanda Mela Dehradun

On the fifth day from Holi begins a celebration in the Doon valley that is rooted in the origins of the story of this beautiful valley in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is a celebration of its history and its legends, of its dignity and its faith. These grand celebrations are now underway as the lovely spring season enables the pilgrims to enjoy nature’s beauty along with the spiritual experience.

Deep in the heart of the valley lays a beautiful monument which tells the story of how the valley first came to be populated and how it got its name. The monument is always alive with the faith with which devotees throng to its doors to be blessed by the Mahant, who is like a “living Guru” for them, carrying on the rich traditions started by Ram Rai, the founder of the valley. In keeping with the rich traditions established by Ram Rai, the valley’s founder, the monument is constantly alive with the faith of the devotees who go to its doors to get blessings from the Mahant, who serves as a “living Guru” for them.

In addition to the residents of the valley and the nearby hills, devotees of Guru Ram Rai and the Mahant (also known as Maharaj ji) from all over northern India congregate in great numbers at the “Darbar Sahib” or “Jhanda Sahib” once a year to commemorate Ram Rai’s arrival in the valley. He is said to have come here on his birthday. He is said to have come here on his birthday. During the fifth day following Holi in March of 1676, Ram Rai and his followers arrived at the present-day city’s location.

When Ram Rai performed marvels in Aurungzeb’s court and purposefully misconstrued passages from the Adi Granth to appease the Mughal emperor, he fell from grace. Ram Rai was the son of the seventh Sikh Guru Har Rai. Ram Rai’s performance pleased Aurungzeb, who became his patron. Ram Rai was given some land in the Doon valley by Raja Fateh Shah, King of Garhwal, who was a friend of the emperor.

Ram Rai chose to set up his “Dera” or camp here after being cut off from the Sikh Guru queue. “Doon” is a word for valley. This is the origin of the town’s name, which developed around the camp and quickly grew as a result of the great number of Ram Rai devotees who started coming from Punjab.

Preparations of Jhanda Mela Dehradun

The Jhanda Mela is inseparably linked to the history of the city. In fact, it is related to the birth of the city of Dehra Dun and continues to be emblematic of its character and ethos. Preparations go on for several days in every crowded lane in the Jhanda Mohalla located in the heart of Dehra Dun’s old bazaar only a twenty minute walk from the Railway station. Traders begin to gear up for the crowds that they know will come to pay obeisance at the Ram Rai Darbar and to take part in the annual Jhanda Mela. Shops are repainted and decorated; fresh stocks are ordered and displayed.

Jhanda Mela Dehradun is one of the most well-known fairs in Northern India. Shri Guru Ram Rai Ji’s birthday, the fifth day of Chaitra (the fifth day of Holi), marks the start of this fair. It is also regarded as the day that Guru Maharaj arrived at Doon, in addition to being his birthday. On that day in Samvat 1733 (1676 AD), a major event was held in his honor, and ever since, the Jhanda Ji is raised on that day annually to honor his holy memory.

Days before the Jhanda Ji is raised, large crowds of Shri Guru Ram Rai Ji Maharaj devotees travel from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, and other Indian states to Dehradun, some of them on foot. These groupings, known as the Sangat, are made up of men, women, and kids of all ages. On Ekadashi, the Sangat is invited and welcomed by the Shri Mahant of Shri Guru Ram Rai Darbar Sahib, who travels 45 km from Dehradun to Raianwala (Haryana), on the banks of the Yamuna River. The Darbar Sahib also sends the flag mast. The Sangat is lovingly and respectfully transported to Dehradun, and the arrangements for their accommodation and boarding are made by the Darbar Sahib

Story behind the raising of Jhanda Ji:

When Guru Ram Rai Ji established a camp, or “dera,” in the Doon Valley of modern-day Uttarakhand in 1676, the custom began. The region was subsequently referred to as Dehradun. The flag that he had erected to indicate the position of his tent still stands in a prominent position at Guru Ram Rai Ji’s Shri Darbar Sahib.

The Jhanda Mela Dehradun flag-raising ceremony

The best tree from the Sal forest at Dundhali is oddly chosen by the devotees. The flag’s body is made from a chopped log of wood that is 27 meters long. After that, milk, curd, and the Ganga’s sacred water are used to bathe it. A muslin towel is put around it following its ceremonial cleansing.

The followers present scarves or handkerchiefs to have their wishes granted after the flag is raised. After their wishes are fulfilled, many devotees ask to have the flag’s covering sewn as a token of appreciation. The fair, which has a number of stalls selling culinary goods, children’s items, household items, jewellery, etc., is enjoyed by both locals and devotees.

Highlights of the Jhanda Mela Dehradun

The Guru Ram Rai Darbar, situated in Jhanda Chowk in Dehradun, is the venue for the Jhanda Fair.  The raising of the enormous flag by a number of enthusiasts is the fair’s primary feature.

Activities in Jhanda Mela Dehradun

Guru Ram Rai Darbaar’s Mahant ji provided direction and oversight for the upbringing of Jhanda ji.
Executed with great care by thousands and thousands of ‘Sangat’, or devotees, the event was a marvel of faith and devotion.

The Jhanda Mela Dehradun Timing

In the Hindi calendar, the fifth day of Holi or Chaitra Krishna is celebrated annually during the month of Phalguna.

• The event is scheduled from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm.
• Since the Jhanda Mela is a full-day event, you must make appropriate plans.
• Beginning on the fifth day of Holi, Jhanda Mela is celebrated for fifteen days.

How to get to Jhanda Mela Dehradun

By Road: ISBT Dehradun is five km from Darbar Sahib, the site of the Jhanda Mela. To and from Darbar Sahib, local transportation options include taxis, shared automobiles (Vikram), and local buses.

By Train: The distance between the Dehradun train station and Darbar Sahib at Jhanda Chowk is 0.5 kilometers. To get to the fair, tourists may simply take a bus, Vikram, or shared taxi from here. Due to its proximity, Gurudwara Darbar Sahib can also be reached by foot.

By Air: The closest airport to Gurudwara Darbar Sahib is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. It is about twenty-five kilometers away from Guru Ram Rai Darbar Sahib. From Jolly Grant airport, taxis, cars, and vehicles to Darbar Sahib are readily available.

Conclusion

The Jhanda Mela Dehradun is held on the birthday of the seventh Sikh Guru, Shri Har Rai Ji’s eldest son, Shri Guru Ram Rai Ji. A large flag draped in a sacred fabric is raised during a religious ceremony held during the celebration.

Five days after Holi, on the fifth day of Chaitra, the Jhanda Mela is held. On the same day in Samvat 1733 (1676 AD), Shri Guru Ram Ji visited Doon, commemorated by the fair. Since then, Jhanda Ji has been raised annually on the same day to honor the momentous occasion.

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