SHAMLI/MEERUT: Holika Dahan, a fire ritual, marks the triumph of the good over the evil. It is accompanied by prayers offered by women, which takes place on the eve of Holi and is considered an integral part of the festival. However, a village in Saharanpur – Barsi - doesn't observe this ritual. Rather, the women of the village move to an adjacent village to perform the holy rites.
The local villagers believe that if Holika Dahan is observed here, Lord Shiva's feet will get burnt. Barsi is home to an ancient Lord Shiva temple, which is said to be as old as Mahabharata, and plays a key role in this popular legend.
Jayant Singh, 74, a retired teacher told TOI, "The story we have heard from our ancestors is that - Kauravas and Pandavas had built this temple but due to some disagreement, Bheema (one of the five Pandavas) used his Gada (weapon) and changed the direction of entrance of the temple from East to West. Because of this act, Holika dahan is not observed here or Lord Shiva's feet will get burnt and we can never allow that to happen."
Kiran Devi, a villager, told TOI, "For Holika Dahan, all women go to the adjacent village Tikrol. I do not know since when this ritual began but it's always been like that."
Village Pradhan Adesh Chaudhary said, "It's a parampara (tradition) and is directly associated with religious sentiments. No one has ever tried to change it and I don't think anyone will ever."
