Khargon. No matter how modern we become, we should not forget our culture, civilization and traditions. The Khappar tradition of Maa Durga and Maa Kali coming out during Navratri in Khargone is the latest example of this. Here the Bhavsar family is carrying on the Khappar tradition started by the elders from generation to generation. So much crowd gathers to see the Khapar that comes out on the night of Ashtami-Navami that there is no place to set foot.
Fifteen days before Navratri, the youth of the society get engaged in practicing 400 years old ‘Garbis’ written in Sanskrit, Nimadi and Hindi in the ancient Shri Siddhanath Mahadev Temple. About 150 Garbiyas are involved in this. When Khapar comes out, the goddess rests on these poor people. This year, this Khapar of Maa Ambe and Maa Kali will be released on the night of 10th and 11th October, preparations for which are going on in full swing.
406 year old tradition
Khappar Committee Chairman Mohan Bhavsar told Local 18 that this is the 406th year of Khappar release. The tradition started by the elders has been preserved as a heritage by the Bhavsar family and clan. The event has been taking place every year for generations. In this, Devi Ramati is on more than 150 ghabaris written by the elders. For this, the youth of the committee start practicing fifteen days before Navratri. They sing songs while playing cymbals, manjire, mridang and other instruments.
Khappar will come out on Ashtami and Navami
According to Manohar Bhavsar, Anuj Bhavsar and other members of the committee, the ride of Maa Ambe takes place in Khappar on the day of Ashtami. On the day of Navami, the ride of Maa Kali arrives. People of the society create masquerades by wearing the costumes of Maa Ambe and Kali and other gods and goddesses and their rides. It is believed that while having fun, a goddess comes into a person’s body.
400 year old clothes, weapons and songs
Manoj Bhavsar tells that the clothes, weapons, crowns and garbis used in Khappar are all 400 years old. Apart from this, there is also a tree on which lamps are lit. During practice, seven lamps are lit in it. But, at the time of Khappar, 12 to 15 lamps are lit. Khappar is organized at night.
From nine days to two days now
At the same time, the temple priest says that during Khappar, the goddess is invoked after special puja. There has been some change in this tradition with time. Earlier, there were less means of entertainment, hence there was a tradition of taking out Khapar for the whole nine days. In which other events including folk arts of Nimar were held every day and the last day was Mata Ramati. Now Khapper comes out only for two days.
Tags: Local18, Mp news, Navratri festival
FIRST PUBLISHED: October 8, 2024, 18:38 IST