Bhaderwah: Mela Patt a Colorful Festival

The three-day annual holy and colorful festival Mela Patt, devoted to Lord Vasuki Naag, the presiding deity of Bhaderwah begins in the months of August/ September every year to reminiscence the historic meet between Mughal emperor Akbar and King Nag Pal of Bhaderwah.

“Since childhood we have been hearing about the history of Mela Patt by our elders. According to them the gold embroidered royal robes, gold urn (Kalash) studded with precious diamonds, silver utensils , royal drums (nagaday) displayed on Rishi Pamchmi every year were presented to then crown prince of Bhadaravakash, Bhaderkashi now Bhaderwah-Raja Nagpal by King Akkbar after knowing former’s spiritual powers.

According to the folklore Raja Nagpal would not bow before anybody except his King Deity, Vasuki Nag. To compel Nagpal to bow before him King Akbar hit upon a plan. So, one day the King called a meeting of all princes of the hilly states to be held in his darbar (court) at Fatehpur Sikri. There, he made a small window through which all the Rajas had to pass for entering the meeting hall. Whereas all others went through the window pushing their heads, Raja Nagpal entered the hall by first putting his feet through the window in a way that he had not to bow. This annoyed Akbar who asked Raja Nagpal believing that it was an insult to the throne. So, he asked Nagpal to explain the cause of his rudeness. “ Badshah Salamat, I had no intention to insult the throne I did it because I do not bow before anybody except my deity, Vasuki nag Maharaj.” Replied Raja Nagpal humbly but resolutely. This infuriated Akbar further more. So he ordered, “Show the powers of your Vasuki Nag by tomorrow or be ready to face the consequences”. Akbar roared.

That night, according to the legend Vasuki Nag came in Raja Nagpal’s dream wherein He asked the Raja to wear a colorful turban and approach the King with a royal gait. In the morning, Raja Nagpal acted accordingly. He wore a seven colored turban and went to attend the meeting. Surprisingly however, when he entered the hall all the Rajas stood up from their seats. Unmindful of what was happening around Raja Nagpal continued walking towards the King to salute him but when he came close to him the King stood up with folded hands with his legs trembling with fear. Although Raja Nagpal could not understand anything all in the Assembly including Akbar saw a seven headed snake emerging out of the colored turban that Raja Nagpal was wearing. It is said that King Akbar was so convinced by the spiritual powers of Raja Nagpal that he presented to him everything that is displayed during Mela Patt as a mark of his obeisance to Vasuki Nag, every year. Although Mr J. Ph. Vogel and Sukhdev Singh Charak in their ‘Indian Serpant Lore and History and Culture of Himalyan states respectively have confirmed this tale as historical facts the above mentioned royal robes, musical instruments and precious utensils also authenticate their accounts as solid evidence. Earlier, Patt would go up to Chattergalla the border of Bhaderwah but with passage of time the distance was reduced up to Neoj Temple. Presence of Pattero Ghode (Patt’s Rock) a little below Chatter Galla speaks volumes about the credibility of the story about Patt told by our elders.

“I have myself seen the small window in the royal palace of Akbar at Fatehpur Sikry, which also proves that the tale my parents told me was not only a piece of mythology but a story backed by historical evidence,” says prominent writer and Editor in Chief, Tourist Reporter and J&K Reporter magazines, Ranbir Manhas.

Yet another account reads like this: The three day historic Mela Patt is a symbol of Nag culture, which is celebrated every year on Nagpanchmi. On these days Hundreds of devotees converge at Khakhal Mohallah to pay obeisance to Raja Nag Pal for his bravery and spiritual powers. Besides locals a large number of people from different parts of the country irrespective of their cast and creed also participate in this festival.

Mela Patt was first celebrated by King Nag Pal in 1580 A.D, the ruler of Bhadarkashi principality presently known as Bhaderwah to display the gifts given by Mughal Emperor Akbar to him in honour of Shri Vasuki Nag Maharaj. The gifts included embroidered silk and velvet robes (Patt Vastra), Chatters, Nobat Nagare (Royal Drums), Silver utensils and Golden Kalash etc.

This historic festival is organized seven days after the conclusion of annual Kailash Yatra. The traditional and unique Dheku dance is the regular feature of this festival in which people irrespective of their religion, cast and gender participate, which makes this festival a symbol of peace, pride and communal harmony. Mela Patt is not only the symbol of religion it also delineate our proud historical background and mutual brotherhood. Perhaps this is the only festival of India which is being celebrated since last five hundred years without any untoward or unsightly incident, which clearly shows communal harmony of this area and respect for Raja Nag Pal irrespective of religion,” says Advocate Chander Kant Gupta one of the ten Dashnaans (organisers) of the festival.

Eminent writer, traveller and Photographer from Bhaderwah D.K.Dogra writes, “This year the Mela Patt is starting on 23rd of August 2020, Bhadarpad Shukla Panchmi, (Rishi Panchmi).

On evening of Ganesh chaturthi/Kalank Chowth 21st August the five-piece (Panchmukhi) Kalash called” Jhaari” was carried by a member of Raj Purohit family (the Royal Priests) on his head in a procession from Ganesh temple and kept in Vasuki Nag temple overnight. On morning of 22nd it was carried to the house of Raj Gurus in Khakhal mohalla, Bhaderwah.

On night of 22nd August, members of ten specified families of Bhadarwah called” Dashnaans” fabricated the temple shikhar style “Patt” with Kalash on top and colourful silken clothes on sides. Since the silken cloth in Sanskrit is called ‘Patt Vastra’, hence the name of the festival is Mela Patt or “Patte ru Kodd”.

On 23 August in the afternoon at around 4 P.M, the divine Patt Dev will be brought to Khakhal ground in a huge procession. The Patt is swirled in a circular motion which causes the differently coloured cloths to spread out and allows spectators to view all its components. The Dashnans remain standing around the Patt throughout. This exercise is replicated with same devotional fervour for three days i.e Panchami, Shashti, and Saptami”.