Aathyo festival celebrated in traditional manner with Dharadi pujan in Keonthal

Durgashtami, or the Aathyo festival, was celebrated with traditional customs and religious devotion in the entire Keonthal area of ​​Junga, adjacent to the capital. On this occasion, the centuries-old tradition of Dharadi worship was followed in various villages of the area. On the night of Ashtami of Navratri, the wild white flower Dharadi was considered a form of Goddess Durga and was duly worshipped. This unique tradition is a symbol of the rich folk culture, religious faith and ancient beliefs of the Keonthal area.
According to senior citizens Daya Ram Verma, Daulat Ram Mehta, and Pritam Thakur, the Dharadi festival marks the end of Navratri and the arrival of autumn. People celebrate this festival with wishes for family happiness, prosperity, and well-being. This tradition of Dharadi worship has been passed down from generation to generation and is still observed with great devotion in rural areas.
He explained that on the day of Aathyo, people collect white Dharadi flowers from the forests and make bunches of them. The flowers are then arranged and garlanded at the home’s place of worship. In traditional worship, the form of Bhairava is also depicted alongside Goddess Durga, which is called “Dharada” in the local dialect.
At night, the head of the household performs puja (worship) by covering the Dharadi with a chunni (scarf). Incense and lamps are lit, offerings are made, and traditional home-prepared dishes are offered. After the puja is completed, family members eat dinner. On this occasion, special dishes like lentils and rice are prepared along with the mountain dish Askali.
He told that in some villages of some areas of Keonthal, after worshipping Dharadi on the night, it is bid farewell in the local temple, whereas in some areas there is a tradition of leaving it in the last hour of the night i.e. at around 4 in the morning near the local temple or water spring, while Dharada is kept in the house. According to local beliefs, the tradition of this festival is compulsorily followed except in special unavoidable circumstances like Sutak-Patak. During the festival, people also invite Dharadi to come again next year with the same devotion and joy.