The mightiest deity of Jamatia: Baba Garia
Today, let’s talk about one of the biggest festivals celebrated in Tripura, known as “Garia Puja”. Many might be aware of this festival and some might not. So first let’s know about _
Baba Garia !?
Baba Garia, is the mightiest deity of the Jamatia community of Tripura, which is also known as the avatar of ‘Mahadev’ (Shiv). A bamboo-made pole tie with colorful risa and ritukuk (traditional attire of Tripuri) and a golden head that symbolizes the Lord Garia, the deity of livestock and wealth, is worshiped with flowers and garland. It is celebrated as ‘Garia Puja’ during April (Baishak). The puja is held for 7 days and is also called ‘Buisu- Sena’. The starting day of puja is called as ‘Moha Buisu’ and the ending day or the immersion of puja is called ‘Sena’. There are two images of Baba Garia : Biagwnang and Biakwrwi.
Who were Jamatias or Jamatia?
Jamatia, is one of the communities belonging to Tripura, a state in Northeast India. According to many views of different scholars, it is seen that the Jamatias were a martial tribe of Tripura during the reign of the early Kings. The community members believe that the word ‘Jamatia’ has been derived from the word Jamat which means ‘tax’ and tuiya, which means ‘not to bear the burden’ in Kokborok language (the native language of Tripura). The Jamatias were exempted from payment of tax as a special privilege. The Jamatia society is closely related to their socio-religious organization i.e., the apex body of the Jamatia community called ‘Jamatia Hoda‘ and known as ‘Hoda okra‘, the pillar of the society.
Preparation for Garia Puja:
Jamatia Hoda and the community is taking the privilege to preserve the culture and tradition of ‘Garia puja’. This puja is celebrated enthusiastically by every believer from different communities. For the upcoming puja there are many rituals to take care of, as a preparatory part of the upcoming puja , they must be offered puja at ‘Mahadev Bari’ and ‘Mata Tripura Sundari Temple’ which is located in Udaipur (Gomati district of Tripura) during the starting month of ‘Chaitra’ (mid of March-April) with an expectation of world peace and welfare of people followed by ‘Ganga puja’ on the next day.
‘Ganga Puja’ mainly consists of puja offered in two main rivers of Tripura named_ Gomati River, and Khowai River.
What is most important about Garia Puja?
The day before the puja, thousands and thousands of people gather in two different regions where the puja will be held. These people can be guests in the houses of the community in the village. Later, the owner of the houses in the village has to provide the details and number of guests to the Mohanta. The house’s owner will arrange the food and accommodation, and the houses have to remain open for the seven days of puja as a symbol of welcoming.
The guest keep their luggage at their respective houses, and then those interested people go to wash the holy clothes (risa and ritukuk) that would be tied on the bamboo-made pole that symbolizes Lord Garia. The main ingredients with which the Garia Puja is conducted are cotton thread, rice, fowl chick, rice beer, wine, earthen pots, eggs, and wine. According to the age-old tradition, the fowl is sacrificed before the deity and the blood of the fowl is strewn before the Lord to get his blessing.
The articles that are essential during the puja are kept strictly under lock in the house of Kherphang as per the rule of the Garia puja. As a mark of the beginning of Garia Puja, Chukbar is made strictly before the Garia Puja — seven days before the puja is due. That day, the articles that were kept locked during one year are brought out. Immediately the sound of a drumbeat marks the beginning of puja followed by the playing of a flute. The Garia dance is also performed. In the Jamatia community, Garia Puja is observed in two places with full enthusiasm: Bia Gwnang, Bia Kwrwi.
The society regulates the rules of the Garia Puja. A group of Bogla is selected to help the pilgrims in their troubles during the seven days, and Mohanta is selected by the Hoda to monitor and guide the Bogla under the resolution adopted by the Hoda and as per traditional rites. Two head volunteers from each region are also selected each year to maintain discipline and peace during the Garia Puja.
Celebration:
Month : April (Baishak), Date: 14th to 21st, April, Place : Tripura, India
It’s a great festival to observe and be a part of Garia puja Festival holds a great place in my heart, and it shows the biodiversity in the culture and tradition of Tripura.
Happy to share about it, thank you for reading. I will be coming up with more interesting things next time. Until then keep reading, see you soon.