Eight-day fair of Jaieshwari Mata Dharech began with a procession

The eight-day fair of Jaieshwari Mata began on Sunday with traditional devotion and enthusiasm at Keliaghat in Dharech, one of the ancient temples of Himachal Pradesh. On the auspicious occasion of Durgashtami (Aathyo), a grand procession was taken out from the ancient temple of Mata in Dharech amidst the sounds of traditional musical instruments. The procession concluded after reaching the ancient temple of Mata at Keliaghat. Hundreds of devotees from the area participated in it and received the blessings of Mata.
Harichand Sharma, a member of the goddess’s Wazir family, explained that according to tradition, a religious fair is held annually at the temple at Kelia Ghat from Durgashtami to Sharad Purnima during the Sharad Navratri. On Durgashtami, Jaieshwari Mata moves from Dharech to the ancient temple at Maud, located at Kelia Ghat. Here, she grants darshan to devotees until Chaturdashi, while on Sharad Purnima, she returns to her original temple at Dharech.
He explained that the speciality of this fair is that, rather than any other recreational activities, priority is given to the darshan and worship of the goddess. Due to their deep faith in the goddess, devotees from not only the region but also from faraway lands come for darshan. During the fair, a large number of people also come to have their young children’s tonsure ceremony performed.
Harichand Sharma explained that devotees have deep faith in Jaieshwari Nagarkoti Mata. In particular, the mother fills the empty lap of childless couples, which is why countless couples visit the temple every year after their wishes are fulfilled. Some devotees visit the mother’s court to pray for a child. Rice grains are offered as prasad at the temple, which devotees reverently preserve in their homes.
After the Mother Goddess arrives at Kelia Ghat, the temple hosts seven jagaras. One is organized by the temple committee, while the other six are organized by the villages of Bagol, Dharthi, Sonthal, Rihad, Batnali, and Khagnaal. Previously, these jagaras were held in their respective villages, but now they are held sequentially for devotees at Kelia Ghat.
He explained that in the past, the practice of sacrifice was prevalent at the temple, which was stopped by Wazir Moti Ram Sharma even before the Supreme Court order. The temple committee has made necessary arrangements at the local level for the convenience of devotees attending the fair.