Sitapur - Mishrikh-Naimish – Chaurasi (84) Kosiya Parikrama of Holi

Mishrikh-Naimish – 84 Kosiya Parikrama of Holi

https://www.facebook.com/1251360683/posts/pfbid02N2Xd1Ay4C3zVWs3KHpEuiVTx1XsSNgujgmRM9T4pAc4YnC4e8zNEfFVfdZkhwYGPl/?app=fbl

Sleepy Sitapur turns spectacular come Holi – the five days culminating in Holi are perhaps the most central days for Mishrit. The chaurasi kosi parikrama of Mishrikh attracts hundreds of thousands. In tune with the professed Sanatanism, the Yogi government tries to promote the pilgrimage, combining both the ideological and economic agenda. Apparently, it is now becoming fashionable for the state cabinet to meet in such venues, underscoring the twin agenda. Naturally, with lakhs, perhaps, millions turning up for this very rare and unique pilgrimage, it can definitely be a centre for pilgrim tourism. It is amazing to observe the faith and devotion (shraddha) - the uninterrupted flow of people – going for the circumambulance of 12 km around the township of Mishrikh (From mishrit – after ‘mixture’ of the teerth of all the sacred rivers, as a boon for Maharshi Dadhichi, who could be Puranic prototype ‘organ-donor’ for Indian Knowledge System, donating one’s bones to be transformed into divine weapons for the destruction of wicked powers affecting the [human] world). The full course of parikrama of 84 kosi of 252 kms (1 kos = 3 kms) is said to touch all the 15 centres touched by Lord Ram as he passed this region on his vanvas. The roads, the streets, the houses, the open spaces, the shop-floors, the schools, even private houses are kept open for the pilgrims so that they may complete the parikrama in the easiest manner possible. There are any number of pandals for the devotees to find shelter and bhandaras offering free food. The whole city is covered with tents (tamboos) – people pour in with the family and friends, and with the bare minimum requirements, pitching a tent with a taat (a polythene sheet, stitched from sacks), cooking food, and finding time for the parikrama. While the aam yaatri treads on foot, there are special parikramas on elephant or chariot. There are several Naga sannyasis taking part of the pilgrimage, perhaps, after their visit to the Kumbh mela at Prayagraj. The great gathering naturally extends as a big mela, with great and affordable shopping opportunities for the pilgrims, a dip in the sacred Dadhichi kund, all sorts of pravacans, a variety of cultural programmes – religious and secular, several rides of a typical amusement park, a circus.

The state highway 21 from Sitapur to Hardoi is blocked for all sorts of four-wheelers and public transport for the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage and the control of the crowd. So for Mishrit people, it implies a camping time with the milling crowds of the pilgrims from different parts of the country.

I noticed camps from Odissa and Delhi. Perhaps there are from other parts of the country as well. The most impressive camp is that of a modern-day high-profile guru, Anil Kumar Shastri of Shri Ved Vyas Dham Trust. It is a bit away from the crowd and their tamboos – more elegant, class. He is said to have hundreds of brahmacari followers, and is said to have accomplished the complete parikrama on a fabulous chariot.

Guided by my faculty colleague Mr Sandeep Kumar, it was an enriching experience - glimpse of a culturally rich Sitapur!