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Gugga dance
Gugga Pir has several names :-Guru Gugga, Zahir Pir and Bagarwalla. Gugga
is worshipped practically all over Haryana and devotees are scattered
over the neighbouring states of Rajasthan, Punjab and Himachal.
The Pir was born on Bhadon Naumi at Dadreva village in
Bikaner (Rajasthan). The day is celebrated as Gugga Naumi allover northern
India. Gugga is said to be a Chauhan Rajput. Colonel Tod is of the view
that his name was Bachraj. According to a folk legend he was married to
Kumari Sirial, daughter of Raja Sanjha of Kamrup He is equally worshipped
by both Hindus and Muslims. About a week or two Before Gugga Naumi, his
devotees take out a procession, led by a bhagat ,carrying Gugga Kichhari.
It is a strong and long bamboo stick decorated with fans, garlands, flowers
and coloured pieces of cloth .Five Bhagats are the Main dancers.
They carry their own musical instruments in their hands, consisting of
Dholak, Manjiras, Deru (a small side drum), Chimta and Cymbals. The bhagats
sing a song in praise of Gugga.
The dance is very simple. The dancers feet move
according to the rhythm or their songs. As the tempo increases, they
shed tears and beat their chests with iron chains.
These parties are seen coming in Haryana villagers during
the month of Bhadon. It is an exclusively male dance and falls in the
category of ritualistic dances. It create an atmosphere charged with spiritual
fervour among the devotees of Gugga.
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