Excelsior Correspondent
BHADARWAH, Oct 20: The six month long annual Nag festival season also known as ‘Jatlaaz’ in local dialect, that starts with the opening of Kewaars (doors) of ancient Subar-Nag temple, traditionally ended on Sunday with age old Malcha festival, which is celebrated at Thubba and in Chinta valley of Bhadarwah since centuries.
The pre-winter festival marks the end of Nag festive season, after which the doors of all Nag temples barring Nagni Mata are closed and deities are completely draped in traditional silk clothes only to be opened next year on the eve of Baisakhi festival.
Hundreds of Nag devotees converged at Karie hamlet of Chinta valley and Thubba village simultaneously from middle of the night to celebrate Malcha festival and offer traditional prayers to Subar Nag deity before saying goodbye to the deity till Baisakhi festival next year.
Jatlaaz-a symbol of Nag culture, is a rotational night time celebration and is observed in all the villages across Chenab valley on different days on a particular date every year.
After night celebrations, locals along with half a dozen priests known as Chelaas gather around the sacred fire place (Zagru) and perform traditional Dekho dance till dawn.
At 5 am, priests along with some selected locals trekked to the hill top Nag Temple at Thubba and after taking the blessings of Serpent God returned back to Chinta, where hundreds of devotees were waiting for their blessings.
The priests wearing ancient ornaments depicting traditional Nag culture crossed the fire bare-footed amidst Nag chants and religious hymns.
“Ancient Takshak Nag temple is one of the most revered pilgrimage places in this region and has a lot of significance in ancient Nag culture. Opening of 600 year old ancient Subar Nag Temple takes place on April 12 and today on October 20 with Malcha, we are celebrating the last festival of the season,” said Vijay Hatishi, a local priest.
“Bhaderwah is a land of festivals that continues for 6 months at a stretch that starts with Baisakhi and ends today. Nag followers are so fond of these rituals that today with heavy heart we are saying goodbye for long winters,” said Esha Hatishi, 29, a Nag devotee and a practicing lawyer.
“Now we will eagerly wait till April 12 when the Kewars of Subar Nag temple will be reopened for devotees. Hope all of us be there next year for rituals,” she maintained.
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