Kullu: The traditional Phagli festival is being celebrated with great enthusiasm in Ropdi, Ruzag and Gramang villages of Lag Valley in Kullu district. Held during the Shukla Paksha of the month of Phalgun, the festival draws a large number of devotees seeking blessings from the valley’s presiding deity, Katrusi Narayan.
The main attraction of the festival was the annual prophecy delivered through the deity’s gur (oracle). Gur Neel Chand, Bhajan, Pawan and Mohar Singh conveyed indications about major events of the coming year through ritualistic dev khel. According to the divine message, agricultural produce is expected to be good this year, bringing cheer to farmers. However, concern was expressed over the fading of age-old traditions amid rapid modernisation. The deity also cautioned people about the possible spread of diseases in the coming year and urged them to remain vigilant.
The gur further stated that all local deities of the valley have brought auspicious blessings for the welfare of the region this year. During the festival, villagers raised personal and community-related queries, which were addressed through the oracle.
Ashok, a member of a special community associated with the rituals, said his role is integral to the traditional proceedings of the deity. He added that during Phagli, the deity also shares mystical insights about his origin and relations with other deities of Kullu district.
The fair is organised in villages including Khopri, Ropdi, Bhaliyani and Jathani under the blessings of Katrusi Narayan of Tarapuri Kothi. Kardar Roop Singh Negi said the religious significance of the festival is such that many families perform the mundan (tonsure) ceremony of their eldest sons on this occasion.
Villagers offer pure ghee to the deity, and special prasad prepared from pure ghee is distributed among devotees at the beginning of the Phalgun month when the deity comes out of the temple. A community feast (bhandara) was also arranged for devotees.
