H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Hola Mohalla fair from today
Nahan, March 7
The first Hola Mohalla fair of the New Millennium is being organised from March 8 to 13 at the historic Gurdwara Paonta Sahib situated on the banks of the Yamuna river for which all arrangements have been made. Gurdwara Paonta Sahib last year remained in the limelight due to the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa Panth which concluded just a few days back.

Thousands throng Chaugan maidan
Sujanpurtira (Hamirpur), March 7
Thousands of men, women and children attired in colourful dresses thronged the historic Chaugan madian here to take part in the state-level Holi festival that got off to a colorful start today. They offered puja at the Murli Manohar temple and sought blessings of Lord Krishna and Radha. The Holi of Sujanpurtira is organised to relive the Radha-Krishan legend. The festival became famous during the rule of great Katoch King Sansar Chand.

BJP seeks RSS help
Shimla, March 7
With the BJP negotiating team failing to persuade the dissidents to soften stand, the party has knocked at the door of the RSS to broker peace. The seven rebels, including four sacked ministers, had all through refused to hold any talks with negotiators Mr Jai Ram, Mr Suresh Bhardwaj and Mr Ram Swaroop, on the plea that their demands for a change in leadership and removal of Mr Narinder Modi as in charge of party affairs in Himachal were beyond their scope.

Hola Mohalla fair from today
S. R. Pundir

Nahan, March 7
The first Hola Mohalla fair of the New Millennium is being organised from March 8 to 13 at the historic Gurdwara Paonta Sahib situated on the banks of the Yamuna river for which all arrangements have been made.

Gurdwara Paonta Sahib last year remained in the limelight due to the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa Panth which concluded just a few days back. Not only the gurdwara but the whole Paonta town is preparing to celebrate the Hola Mohalla festival. The Gurdwara bazar and main bazar of the town have been decorated. According to government officials, all necessary arrangements for peaceful holding of the fair have been made. Tight security arrangements were being made keeping in view the incidents of terrorism in the neighbouring states.

Guru Gobind Singh wanted that the festival should be celebrated in martial style to inculcate bravery in the people. He began to impart training in arms to his disciples. Even before founding the Khalsa he had laid foundation for this during his stay at Paonta Sahib, where he began to celebrate Hola Mohalla in a martial manner, with trained soldiers displaying their combat tactics.

He also fought his first battle against the chieftains of Bhidhar and other adjoining areas at Bhagani, 17 km from Paonta Sahib. In the war the Guru and his trained warriors, though numerically outnumbered, fought bravely and won.

The Guru had come to Paonta Sahib in 1685 at the invitation of Maharaja Medini Prakash, ruler of Sirmour. He also stayed as his guest at Nahan for a few days en route Paonta.

He spent one tenth of his short life out of 42 years on the banks of the Yamuna at Paonta Sahib. For Hola Mohalla he would hold kavi darbars in which several poets from all sections of society and religions took part. In Paonta Sahib the great Guru bestowed upon his disciples the sense of unity which completely puts an end to all religious, social, political and cultural differences.

According to Mr Kulwant Singh, Manager of the gurdwara management committee here, this years’ Hola Mohala celebration is dedicated to the main mission of the great Guru — to recognise all humanity as one human spirit. A renowned lecturer on Sikh religion, Giani Sant Singh Makeen of Alwar, is coming to take part in this function and will address the congregation on March 9 by the noon.

Among other celebrations at a big kavi darbar, a colourful procession, kirtan and dhadhi darbar, turban tying competition and flag hoisting will be held. Mr Kulwant Singh said special arrangements had been made for langar (community kitchen) for 24 hours along with comfortable stay of devotees. 

Thousands throng Chaugan maidan
Our Correspondent

Sujanpurtira (Hamirpur), March 7
Thousands of men, women and children attired in colourful dresses thronged the historic Chaugan madian here to take part in the state-level Holi festival that got off to a colorful start today. They offered puja at the Murli Manohar temple and sought blessings of Lord Krishna and Radha.

The Holi of Sujanpurtira is organised to relive the Radha-Krishan legend. The festival became famous during the rule of great Katoch King Sansar Chand. The king was also instrumental in flourishing the Kangra paintings which are still known worldwide.

Leading historians of India and foreign countries have written much about this historic town and its famous Holi. The Beas river flows by it and its beauty on entering the town and later on the crumbling Tira forts attracts one.

The big Chaugan maidan also attracts the attention of the people coming to the town during the mela. Such huge grounds are rare in hilly areas of India. This maidan is, however, losing its glory due to encroachments.

The Holi of Sujanpurtira became famous when Raja Sansar Chand used to play Holi with his courtiers and members of their families. He used to invite all of them to his forts, where a small tank was constructed.

The tank used to be filled with coloured water and the king used to throw this water as well as gulal on the people. Members of the royal family also used to play Holi with elites of the town.

The Tira forts and the tank are at present in the state of neglect. Neither the district administration nor the descendants of Katoch rulers bother about their upkeep. The Holi of Sujanpurtira also invites pottery makers from various parts of the kangra, Mandi and this district.

There was heavy rush of the people visiting the Chaugan maidan since early morning. Attired in colourful dresses, these people visited the Murli Manohar temple and thereafter the temple of Baba Swaropgir, the saviour of the town.

Since this year Holi festival is organised by the local nagar panchayat, the people are finding it difficult to manage the fair on government lines. The state government has released a grant of Rs 50,000 for the fair.

The local people are upset over the failure of the successive state governments to restore the glorious past of the town.

BJP seeks RSS help
Rakesh Lohumi
Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 7
With the BJP negotiating team failing to persuade the dissidents to soften stand, the party has knocked at the door of the RSS to broker peace.

The seven rebels, including four sacked ministers, had all through refused to hold any talks with negotiators Mr Jai Ram, Mr Suresh Bhardwaj and Mr Ram Swaroop, on the plea that their demands for a change in leadership and removal of Mr Narinder Modi as in charge of party affairs in Himachal were beyond their scope. However, they relented once the Sangh Parivar stepped in and held a prolonged meeting in the presence of Mr Chet Ram and Mr Prem Kumar, senior RSS leaders last night.

Mr Jaikrishan Sharma, state BJP chief, was also present besides the negotiating team during talks. A dissident leader said that they were disappointed with the state BJP leadership but had full faith and respect for the RSS leaders who had no political axe to grind. They would not mind discussing issues with them if it could help resolve the crisis.

The RSS leaders impressed upon the dissidents that a beginning would have to made from somewhere to remove the irritants and there was no point in refusing to discuss issues concerning the state leadership until the demand for a change in leadership and removal of Mr Modi were taken up by the high command.

The dissidents wanted a one-time settlement of all issues like restructuring of state executive, pradesh election committee and disciplinary committee, withdrawal of disciplinary action against Mr Mohinder Sofat and putting an end to all overt and covert attempts of undermine their position in their respective constituencies by creating extra-constitutional centres.

The demand for replacement of Mr Modi would be conveyed to the high command.

The negotiating team would discuss the demands with the Chief Minister and in case the issues were resolved to the satisfaction of the dissidents, an agreement might be reached over the next two days. If all went well the Chief Minister would restore status quo by reinducting the sacked ministers in- to the Cabinet and the dissidents in turn would express faith in his leadership.