Preparations begin for Sodal Mela

Jalandhar, September 2

As there are just two weeks left for Sodal Mela to start, Chadha and Anand biradaris associated with Siddha Sodal Temple have reportedly begun preparations. The mela will commence on September 14 with September 17 as the main day, which is also a local holiday in Jalandhar.

An estimated 10 lakh people will visit the mela from across the region. Surinder Chadha, secretary of the trust, said, “We have begun preparations for the mela, the first step for which is sowing barley seeds (khetri) which will be offered at the site on the main day.”

He said, “Men, women and anyone who has faith in the deity keep fast around the mela. This fast is broken after mathi or topa prepared for Baba Sodal is offered at the temple. Mathi is the main prasad for the occasion. On the main day, no tawa roti is prepared in our houses. We can have either pooris or just have fruits.”

Giving an insight into the historical account, Surinder Chadha said the incident on which Sodal Mela is based dates back to 1865. “I am the fourth generation in my family to be custodian of the temple. It was my family that had donated the land for setting up the temple. Now this temple is built up in an area of 26 kanal and 60 marlas. The administration now takes care of the premises”, he said.

About Baba Sodal

Baba Sodal’s mother was from the Chadha clan while his father was from the Anand clan. While the Chadhas have been more closely associated with the festivities, the Anands too participate in these. There was a pond at the temple site in 1865. Baba Sodal, who was then three-year old, had followed his mother for washing clothes near the pond, despite her instructions on not doing so. Upon seeing Sodal having reached the site, his mother admonished him and asked him to take a plunge into the pond. As the story goes, Baba Sodal then asked his mother to repeat her sentence three times, which she did. He jumped into the pond and was not seen again.

It is said Baba Sodal gave his life for his mother’s wish. There is a belief that he transformed into a snake. A samadhi of the child deity has been set up at the site which is decorated and offerings are made here. An annual mela is held at the site in the month of Bhadon for the past several years with people of all castes and sects visiting here.