|
Introduction to Basoa or Bishu
The people dress up beautifully for the occasion of Basoa or Bishu. They decorate their house with flowers and other ornamented items. In the evening the houses are lit up with bright lights to mark the festive mood of the occasion. People gather in a particular place and organize for cultural programs. Young children and adults sing out the local folk lore and dance and makes merry. Elaborate feast is organized and many types of sweet dishes are prepared. It is basically a celebration of the villagers. The rituals performed are very traditional and interesting. All day long villagers celebrate the occasion with pomp and show. The festival of Basoa or Bishu is mainly celebrated to welcome New Year with new hope and dreams. Villagers offer their prayers to the God. The married women pray together for the prosperity and wealth of all villagers. Basoa or Bishu Festivals is a much awaited festival in Himachal Pradesh. This festival reflects the spirit of unity and brotherhood amongst the villagers.
Time of Celebrating Basoa or Bishu Festivals
On the first day of the month of Baisakh the aboriginals and the farming folk celebrate the Basoa festival in Himachal Pradesh. Three days before the commencement of the festival, people make little cakes with Kodra (a coarse grain) flour and wrap them up in leaves. After three days the cakes ferment, then on the morning of the festival day people invite the married daughters and other relatives and break and eat these cakes with honey and sweet water flavored with jaggery. A ritual song is sung on this occasion. This festival is celebrated to mark the begging of a New Year.
Description of Basoa or Bishu
In Chamba region of Himachal Pradesh some Jataras or village plays are organized in memory of queen 'Sui'. Chamba city is filled with the sounds of music and dancing on this occasion. The sad songs about the queen Sui revive old memories in the hearts of the people. In Jataras people enact stories and incidents from religious and mythgological epics. In Kinnaur region of Himachal Pradesh this festival is recognized as Bishu. Here also people cook a savoury gruel known as Doon on this day and eat it together and celebrate. In villages which do not celebrate Basoa or Bishu, Bishu marks the beginning of the New Year. On this day the gods are dressed up in special finery. The brass masks of the gods are cleaned and polished. On the morning of the festival, the people invite their married daughters and other relatives, and then break and eat these cakes with honey and water flavored with jaggery. They also sing many ritual songs. The celebrations are almost same in various regions of Himachal Pradesh with some differences. If you want to catch a glimpse of the simple and traditional life of the people visit Himachal Pradesh and know more about its various colorful Fairs and Festivals. Fairs and festivals in Himachal Pradesh give you a vivid insight of the true life of these people.
 |
Indianholiday.com offers information about Basoa or Bishu and other Fairs and Festivals of Himachal Pradesh and other parts of India.
|
