Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 3: The Dogra folk festival, Bacch Dua’, which symbolizes the bond between mother and child, was celebrated today across Jammu region with traditional fervor and customary rituals.
On the day, Dogra mothers observed fast and visited temples to offer the sweet Rotis called ‘Rutt’, soaked black grams and the likes to perform rituals praying for long life of their sons.
There was hustle bustle in the temples where elderly women were seen guiding youth mothers in offering customary rituals and prayers in groups. The sweet Rotis, offered while performing prayers in the temple, were later served as Prasad to the family members.
This is one of the few folk festivals of Dogras. It is an occasion for reunion and rejuvenation as well as celebration of traditional culture and customs of Dogra land.
Click here to watch video
There are legends associated with ‘Bacch Dua’ or Govatsa Dwadashi. According to a legend, miscommunication between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law led to the latter cooking Bacch (male calf) instead of Mach (fish). On noticing this blunder, both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law prayed to God and begged Bacch back to life before the mother cow returns from fields. God granted this wish and hence women celebrate the occasion. A male child, symbolic of slaughtered ‘Bacch’ has ceremonial importance in the festival.
According to another legend, from the great churning of the ocean (Samudramanthan), five wish-fulfilling cows (Kamadhenus) emerged. Among these five wish-fulfilling cows, a divine cow Nanda had also emerged. This vowed religious observance is performed to worship this divine cow Nanda.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
