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Roshni Fair
The Roshni (lights) Fair is held in Jagranvan from the 14th to the 16th
of Phalgun in honour of the Muslim Pir, Abdul Kader Jalani. It is held
in the vicinity of his tomb.
Although it is a Muslim fair in origin, the
Hindus of the area also flock to the site of this shrine. It is called
the 'fair of lights' because innumerable devotees who come to
visit the place light earthen lamps at the shrine of the Pir. The lights
are visible from long distances. It is believed that whatever wish one
sincerely makes, at the shrine of this Pir is granted. Young people sing
Bolian and perform dances, thus adding to the gaiety and glamour of the
fair. It is sheer delight to villagers performing dances and singing songs
to the sweet strains of the flute and the one-stringed instrument called
Toomba.
Some fairs are held at places associated with the lives
of some Sikh Gurus, such as the Masya fair in Taran Taran, and the Muktsar
fair in Ferozepur. Small fairs are periodically held here and there all
over the Punjab. In Phalgun a fair in memory of Guru Nanak is held on
the full-moon night at Dera Baba Nanak. At Jindwal (Navanshehar), a fair
is held near a pond on Baisakhi day, at a spot where once Shri Guru Hargobind
is believed to have sat. At Nanaksar in Hakeempur (Navanshehar), a fair
is held at the place where the seventh Guru, Guru Harirai, stayed for
some time. |
