Devra Yatra, Uttarakhand
Spiritual journey of Uttarakhand: Devbhoomi Uttarakhand is famous all over the world for its cultural richness, folk traditions and unique beliefs of Gods and Goddesses. One of these is Devra Yatra, which is considered a symbolic tradition of honoring the Biyaans (married daughters) and their happiness and prosperity. In this unique event, the family ladies themselves visit the daughters’ in-laws to inquire about their well-being and give their blessings to the entire family. This yatra takes place once a year, but in many villages it is carried out after decades. This is the reason why when Devra Yatra starts, a festive atmosphere is created in every village.
Unique tradition of honoring married daughters
Devra Yatra has special significance in Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts of Uttarakhand. According to local beliefs, during these yatras, the clan goddesses themselves visit the in-laws’ houses of the village’s married daughters to know their well-being.
Chamoli’s message: Anasuya, mother of Kulagana village of Chamoli, has set out on this journey after a long gap of 51 years. Mother Anasuya will visit all those villages for six months, where the in-laws of ‘Khakhala’s daughters have their homes.
Rudraprayag invitation: Similarly, mother Chandika Bai will visit the in-laws of the daughters of the village on 23 November after 25 years from Falasi village of Rudraprayag and after 22 years from Char Deval of Guptkashi on 21 November.
Kalimai of Kalimath: Kalimai of Siddhapeeth Kalimath will also go on a tour to her daughters’ village from December 7.
The daughters’ in-laws also see this arrival of their family goddess as a great honor and are busy preparing with full enthusiasm to greet and welcome the visit.
This Devra Yatra is no less than ‘penance’
The duration of Devra Yatra varies according to the village and the tradition of the goddess. It can last from one month to six months, and sometimes this period goes even more. During the journey, Devi’s doli visits the in-laws house of every married daughter of the village. This journey is not just a tour, but a rigorous penance. People participating in the journey have to follow very strict rules. Travelers walk barefoot on the harsh cold and inaccessible roads in the mountains. During the yatra, devotees eat only once a day and lead a virtuous life.
Importance of Devra Yatra
It is a tradition that every year during winter season, married daughters invite the Kul Devi of their maternal house to visit their in-laws’ house. However, this Yatra is so grand and long that it is not possible to organize it every year, hence when it takes place, its importance increases even more. After the completion of the Yatra, the procession of Devra Yatra again reaches the original temple of the Goddess, where the Yatra is successfully concluded with a grand Bhandara (communal feast). Therefore Devra Yatra is a symbol of the cultural and emotional richness of Uttarakhand. This shows that here the folk gods and goddesses are seen not just as worshipable powers, but as an integral part of the family, who even after centuries come to the doorstep of their ‘daughters’ to inquire about the well being of their ‘daughters’ and bless them.
Disclaimer: The information given in this news is based on religious beliefs and general information. TV9 Bharatvarsha does not confirm this.