Mata Varahi (Barahi) devi temple, Champawat

At distance of 45 kms from Lohaghat in the Champawat district of Uttarakhand, Devidhura is famous for its Barahi temples. A very unusual fair, which attracts people from Kumaon, Nepal, and even other places, is held every year at the temple of Barahi Devi on Raksha Bandhan day. During this festival, known as Bagwal, two groups of dancing and singing people throw stones at each other, while they try to protect themselves with the help of large wooden shields. The participants don't care about the injuries and the injuries are believed to be auspicious. It is also a worth noticing fact that there had been no loss of life till today during this unusual fair.

The Barahi Mata temple is very famous here. Lots and lots of people come to this temple. One thing more unusual over here. In this temple people give Bali of "Goat and Buffaloes ". One more fair held over on the day of Maha Shivrat.

It is a very cold place. It is like a heaven. Surrounded by the beauty of the Nature. Most go there and take part in the fair.

The Devidhura Fair is held on the day of "Raksha Bandhan", at the Barahi Devi Temple. A unique feature of the fair is the image of the goddess, kept in a locked brass casket. This casket is taken in a procession to a nearby mountain spring where a blindfolded priest ritually bathes the image and replaces it in the casket.

The whole night the Goddess is worshipped and the next morning the exciting "Bagwaal" fair is celebrated. Two groups of men duly purified, fight a "battle" in front of the temple flinging stones at each other, while thousands gather to watch.

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