Bachh Dua: Jammu’s Captivating Festival of Tradition and Spirituality

Every Festival is a break from our monotonous life, rich in principle and beautiful in its practice.
Some festivals celebrate Man’s relationship with God, some his relationship with the Eco-system and some celebrate the most fundamental relationships in an individual’s life.
Bachh Dua a local festival of Jammu Province celebrates both man’s relationship with his Eco system and also the bond between parent and child. Over the years malpractices may have cropped in but that is the fault of its practitioners.
There are many Pauraanik stories behind this charming local festival. Redefining Samba featured the festival and a Pauraanik story behind it which involves Bhagwaan Vishnu, and Indra Dev.

Another one told to us by a Bishnah Resident is both quaint yet meaningful….
It talks of how miscommunication between two young sisters leads to the younger sister cooking Bach ( male calf) instead of Mach (fish). Upon the discovery of this blunder the sisters pray to God and ask for atonement of their sins. They beg God to return the Bach back to life before the mother cow returns from the fields. Thankfully God grants their wish. Hence women celebrate this festival and a male child symbolic of the slaughtered bachh has ceremonial importance in the festivities.

It is important however to note the reason behind every ritual. Only then will the Festival become meaningful and have its intended impact. This local festival not only embodies the Vedic principle of reverence towards nature and all animals but also celebrates the bond between mother and child irrespective of the species.

There could be other variations to the Pauraanik Katha but it’s principle is timeless.. that of love, reverence and gratitude.

#CelebratingTrueMeaningBehindLocalCulture