Gorchha III: The Bisu Festival

Tripoto

The Harul Dance

Photo of Gorchha III: The Bisu Festival by Rupa Abdi
Photo of Gorchha III: The Bisu Festival 1/14 by Rupa Abdi

Four to five hours drive from Dehra Dun lies the quaint village of Gorchcha inhabited by a community of people called Jaunsaris who trace their lineage to the Pandavas. According to some scholars the Jaunsaris are a mixed breed from Aryan men who took wives from among the aboriginal tribes of the Himalayas.

Photo of Gorchha III: The Bisu Festival 2/14 by Rupa Abdi

The Jaunsaris inhabit the Jaunsar-Bawar pargana of Chakrata tehsil in the district of Dehra Dun and exhibit a culture different from other hill people of the adjoining regions.

Photo of Gorchha III: The Bisu Festival 3/14 by Rupa Abdi

Festive sports and dances are an important part of the Jaunsari culture.We visited Gorchha when the Bisu festival was being celebrated. This a spring festival, which used to be a five day festival celebrated in every village. It marks the beginning of solar year and the harvest of rabbi crops. Lord Mahasu and Silgur, the god of sheep is worshiped on this day.

Photo of Gorchha III: The Bisu Festival 4/14 by Rupa Abdi
The village temple at Gorchha

The morning begins with the bajgi (the so called mid-level caste of artisans and musicians) announcing the commencement of the festivities with the beating of the drum. Young men and boys of the village go to the forests to collect the beautiful red buras flowers (Rhododendron) to place it as an offering to Lord Mahasu at the village temple.

Photo of Gorchha III: The Bisu Festival 5/14 by Rupa Abdi
Buras, Rhododendron

The dancing and music begins at the door of the village temple where all the men folk of the village including the bajgis have gathered.

This festive procession then slowly makes its way to an open courtyard/chaupal at the entrance of the village where the village women are already waiting adorned in their beautiful traditional attire of dhantu (head scarf), ghaghra (long skirt) and jagaa (short tunic) and kurti (jacket).

Photo of Gorchha III: The Bisu Festival 6/14 by Rupa Abdi
Jaunsari women in their traditional dress
Photo of Gorchha III: The Bisu Festival 7/14 by Rupa Abdi
Photo of Gorchha III: The Bisu Festival 8/14 by Rupa Abdi
The older men enjoying the dance

Then begins the harul dance. The more enthusiastic children and teenagers initiate the dance followed by adult men and women.

Photo of Gorchha III: The Bisu Festival 9/14 by Rupa Abdi
Photo of Gorchha III: The Bisu Festival 10/14 by Rupa Abdi

As the evening progresses the menfolk prepare for a mock archery contest. This has its basis in the legend of Maroj, a rakshas/ogre who used to traumatize the villagers in ancient times. Men dress up in Suthan (padded pajamas made from goat hair) play act the role of Maroj, while others shoot at their legs with bow and wooden arrows.

The contest is followed by a sword dance by the men who put on their traditional dress of Juda (long coat), Digua (cap) The singing and dancing along with the beating of Dhol, Dholki and the blowing of the traditional horn - Ransheengha goes on till sunset.

Photo of Gorchha III: The Bisu Festival 11/14 by Rupa Abdi
Various traditional musical instruments used during festivals
Photo of Gorchha III: The Bisu Festival 12/14 by Rupa Abdi
Men preparing for the sword dance
Photo of Gorchha III: The Bisu Festival 13/14 by Rupa Abdi
Photo of Gorchha III: The Bisu Festival 14/14 by Rupa Abdi
Jaunsari men performing sword dance in their traditional dress

Photo credits: Rupa and Razi Abdi

Video credits: Rupa Abdi's You Tube channel: Raqs

Travel Tips:

How to get there

Gorchha is 70 kms from Dehra Dun and 400 kms from New Delhi.

We took the Nanda Devi overnight train from Delhi to Dehardun.

Budget travelers can take a bus from Dehra Dun to Vikas Nagar which is about 38 km from Dehra Dun and then hire a cab from Vikas Nagar to Gorchha.

Alternately you could hire a cab from Dehradun to Gorchha which could cost you anywhere between 5000 to 6000 rupees.

You can see Kanasar and Tiger Falls on the way to Gorchha or on your return trip. We visited them on our return trip from Gorchha to Dehra Dun.

When to travel

Gorchcha is known for the freezing temperatures during winters and pleasant climate during summers.

Summers (March to June) are very pleasant with 10 °C (Min) and 30 °C (Max).

Monsoon (July to September) is associated with medium rainfall. This season is characterized by slippery roads and cold winds. Tourists mostly avoid the rainy days.

Winters (December to February) are chilly. During this season, the maximum temperature is below 15 °C and minimum touches -5 °C; it is freezing cold.

Autumn (October and November) is mildly cold.

March to May is the ideal season for outdoor activities. However If the snow fall is good, it is worth experiencing the winter in Gorchha! The month of April is a month of thunder storms, that was when we visited and it was quite beautiful !!

Where to stay

Shri Tikam Singh who runs a homestay at Gorchha village can be contacted through his facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/Gorchha-Village-106305010036987/

His contact no. : 91 8447728560

Related posts :

Gorchha I- Overview: A little known Gem in the Himalayas (check this post for itinerary details)

Gorchha II: The landscapes around Gorchha

Gorchha IV: The People

Gorchha V: The Birds and Flowers