Harina Fair, Jharkhand’s historic festival, set to commence on June 15

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, June 13: The renowned Harina Fair, an ancient festival of Jharkhand, is scheduled to commence from June 15, 2023. Formerly celebrated as Harina Parva, it has now transformed into Harina Mela. According to local folklore, about 400 years ago, Baba Bholenath appeared in Harina. Since 1856, the deity has been revered in a hut through a cow, and gradually, this site evolved into Mukteshwar Dham, gaining prominence as a revered pilgrimage destination.

A year ago, the Baba temple underwent renovation and now sees daily worship. The footfall at the temple is particularly high on Mondays. During the auspicious month of Sawan, the surroundings of Harina assume a saffron hue with the celebration of the Shravani fair. The Harina festival and fair officially commence on Jeth Sankranti, also known as Raj Sankranti. This annual festival is observed at Mukteshwar Dham Harina.

Besides the temple dedicated to Baba, Mukteshwar Dham also houses other revered shrines, including Kali Mandir, Ganesh Mandir, Hari Mandir, Maa Pauri Mandir, Hanuman Mandir, Gufa Mandir, Jaher Than, Yagya Shala, Vivah Mandap, Dhuni Kund, Balithan, and Mohan Baba’s Samadhi Mandir.

Commencing on June 15, a variety of cultural activities will be organized at the fair, including Jagran, Jam Dali, Goriyabhar, and Chhau dance. The key highlight is Sankranti on June 16, which marks the original festival day. Devotees will gather in the morning after bathing in Bhagta Pokhar to seek blessings in Baba’s presence.

On the day of Jeth Sankranti, approximately ten thousand devotees are expected to worship Baba. Devotees following a specific path will be given priority, followed by others in a disciplined queue, creating a spectacle to behold. Rajni Phuda and Angun Mada rituals will also be observed, followed by the commencement of the fair, which lasts for a week. The Harina Fair attracts not only devotees from Jharkhand but also from neighboring states such as Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, and beyond. Eminent litterateur Sunil Kumar Dey emphasized that Harina  has become a focal point of devotion and faith, gradually transforming into a revered pilgrimage site.