Jhiri fair

A tribute to Bawa Jitto Now-a-days when “Science and Technology” have directly or indirectly influenced our day-to-day life, our way of life and thing of daily life have undergone a drastic change. Traditional sources of entertainment and recreations have paved a way to “Television and Cinema”. In view of happenings of such things, there is no doubt that several ancient rites, rituals and trends have their lost their eminence. But still today there are certain traditional events which have retained their charm. One such traditional event in Dogra culture of Jammu is the “Celebration of Jhiri Fair”.Jhiri Fair, with a history of 555 or 655 years, is celebrated to commemorate the sacrifice of a peasant named Bawa Jitto. He sacrificed his life as a mark of protest against feudal landlordism, oppression and exploitation. Jhiri fair is, therefore a symbol of solidarity and righteousness as Bawa Jitto sacrificed his life for the cause of the tillers.The history of Jammu region of the state will remain incomplete if we forget the sacrifice of saint and patriot Bawa Jitto. Now it has become a great legend that how Bawa Jitto fought with royal authorities to protect the rights of the farmers and the poor people. Jhiri village, about 28 km from Jammu city towards its northwest side now turns out to be the biggest pilgrim destination and cultural-cum-historical fair of Jammu District. This fair comes off in the kartik month or sometimes in Magar according to Bikram era on full moon day- Poornima or Poornmashi which in accordance with Christian era falls in the month of November every year. This Jhiri fair which commences Poornima, it lasts upto Satmi, i.e. seven days. During these seven days a large number of Bawa Jitto’s devotees pay obeisance to him at Jhiri and seek his blessings. The devotees also seek his blessings. The devotees also seek the blessing of Bua Kaudi (Kodi), the daughter of Bawa Jitto, who jumped alive on the pyre of the saint Jitto. Pilgrims from a number of states pay a visit to the temple. These pilgrims mostly come from Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand and Delhi. Now some devotees are also coming from Bihar, Jharkhand and parts of Uttar Pradesh. In the Jhiri fair, a number of stalls are put up by various departments like Agriculture, Horticulture, Sericulture, Rural Development, Handloom Development, Khadi Village and Industry Board, Sheep Husbandry. Elaborate arrangements of power, drinking power, medi-care facilities and security are made Cultural programmes of music, dance, sports, animal’s shows and wrestling’s (Shinjh) also organized.

Some people believe that Bawa Jitto was born in a Brahmin family in 15 th century about 555 years ago in a small village Aghar (Rajkot) nestled amidst the Trikuta Hills near the Goddess Vaishno Devi. But according to Chib and Putto (2004), he was born in 14 th century i.e. in the year 1343. The latter is considered more authentic as these authors have consulted a popular booklet written by Mrs and Mr Maheshwar Prassad Sharma, New Delhi having tittle, ‘Desham shikth Devi Bua Kaudi and Baba Ji Ki Gatha”. Bawa Jitto was a staunch devotee of the Goddess Vaishno Devi and used to go to the Vaishno Devi shrine daily. It is believed that he had the vision of the Goddess Vaishno Devi a number of times. One day the goddess was so much pleased with his unflinching devotion that she descended to the earth to offer him a vision. He was startled at seeing the Goddess herself in her resplendent form. She asked him for a boon. Bawa Jitto replied, ‘Mother, I do not like anything except worshipping you’. With the statement the Goddess was much pleased and said, “A part of me shall take birth in your home as a daughter. She will known throughout the land of the Duggars in due course and you as well as your daughter will be worshipped in the years to come.” As predicted by the deity, a daughter was born at

Jitimal’s house. She was named Gauri, famous as Bua Kaudi. Bawa Jitto’s wife, however, expired soon after the Gauri was born. As he had no real brother or sister so his aunt and uncle and their seven sons wanted to do away with him for claiming entire property of their forefathers. Fed up with these problems, he left the village along with Bua Kaudi and Bulls, and moverd to Panjore Village near Kahnachack. He reached his friends (Rolu blacksmith) house and settled down there.

Rolu Lohar took him to Raja Ajaib Singh for obtaining some land to cultivate. Raja agreed to his request and directed his minister Mehta Bir Singh to allot him a Barren forest area to Jitimal at Jhiri with the condition that one-fourth of the produce would be given to him. Bawa Jitto worked hard to cultivate land which had been lying idle for decades. But soon all the villagers got surprised to see the bumper wheat crop grown on this barren land. When Mehta Bir Singh heard of this, he became greedy and sent his workers to collect half of the huge pile of harvested crop instead of one-fourth.

Bawa Jitto appealed to the Jagirdar to stick to the agreement. His pleadings, however, had no effect on Jagirdar and ordered his followers to go ahead and seize half of the crop. This shocked Bawa Jitto and instead of bowing before Bir Singh, he preferred to lay down his life. He killed himself with dagger on the heaps of his food grain produce. Bawa Jitto’s daughter stepped into her father’s funeral pyre and was soon burnt ashes. On learning this incidence, the Jagirdar was shocked. The area of Bawa Jitto’s fields is now-in-days as “Bawe ka Jarh”. People offer prayers at the temples dedicated to Bawa Jitto and Bua Kaudi at Jhiri.
Although legendary hero is no more in this universe, yet he is alive in cultural, folklore, folks songs and, thus, in the memories of masses- intact and vivid. His place which has a great religious and cultural significance is visited by lakh of his devotees.