Jhiri Mela, a three-day festivity, is a blend of spirituality, culture and social unity. It is organised every year at the village, Jhiri which is located about 20 km from Jammu, off the Jammu-Akhnoor highway. Every year during the Kartik Purnima (late autumn full moon) falling during the last week of October or early November, an annual mela (festival) is held here. Lakhs of devotees throng the village to commemorate the martyrdom of Baba Jitoo, a farmer who gave up his life in protest against the oppressive demands of the zamindar about 500 years ago.
Jhiri Mela stands as a testament to the spirit of righteousness and sacrifice embodied by Baba Jitoo. The fair continues to draw thousands of visitors each year, making it one of the most awaited events in the region. The mela symbolises honesty, hard work, courage, selflessness, innocence, humility and above all truthfulness.
Jhiri Mela also known as Aghar Jitoo Mela, witnesses great hustle and bustle during the three-day festival as pilgrims, families and various groups belonging to diverse communities and hailing from different parts of the country assemble to pay obeisance at the Baba Jitoo temple to seek Baba Jitto’s and Bua Kouri’s blessings. People from every nook and corner visit the spot during the mela. Especially the members of the local and outside communities who worship Baba Jitoo as Kuldevta (family deity) come here to pray and seek blessings on important occasions like marriage, the birth of a child, mundane (tonsuring ceremony) or simply to thank or entreat the Baba for his continuing protection and blessings.
During the festival, there is regular recitation of folk songs by Jogis and ‘Gardis’ in the form of Baba devotional ballads known as ‘Karkan’ at the main shrine. Many entertaining cultural shows are staged. While ‘dangal’ the Indian style wrestling matches in which wrestlers from far and wide participate, draw a large crowd of sports enthusiasts.
On the first day of the Mela, a Jatra is held at the birthplace of Baba Jitoo which continues for the whole night with bhajans of Baba Jitoo.
On the second day, Shobha Yatra is taken out from his birthplace, in which a large number of pilgrims/devotees participate.
On the last day, wrestling is organised in which locals and wrestlers from other parts of the country participate.
Baba Jitto: An Epitome of Justice and Devotion
The journey of legendary Baba Jitto is like many other folk heroes who begin their lives as ordinary persons but are transformed into someone extraordinary by performing significant life events in their lives.
Baba Jitoo, originally named Jit Mal, was a farmer born in a Brahmin family. Baba Jitoo’s father, Roopchand, was a farmer by profession. Baba Jitoo was an honest and truthful farmer of village Aghar Jitoo which is located in the foothills of Trikuta hills, the abode of Mata Vaishno Devi in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Baba Jitoo was a Brahmin and a great devotee of Mata Vaishno Devi.
In the folklore, Roopchand is depicted as a supportive and loving father. Baba Jitoo grew up under his guidance, learning the values of fairness, hard work and dedication. The tale of Baba Jitoo’s defiance against injustice and his eventual martyrdom is imparted by his father, Roopchand. Baba Jitoo’s mother’s name was Mato Bai. She is also an important figure in Baba Jitoo’s life. Mato Bai is believed to have been a devoted and righteous woman.
He left his village with his daughter Bua Kouri because of the hostility of his aunt (Jojan) and went to his friend Iso Megh who lived in the village Panjaur (district Samba). There he requested a feudal landlord, Mehta Bir Singh of the village Amb gharota for a piece of land. The feudal landlord gave Baba Jitoo a piece of barren and infertile land after signing an agreement that he would give him a-fourth of his produce. Baba Jitoo worked very hard and turned the barren and infertile land into fertile land and it gave a bumper crop. When the feudal landlord came to know about the fact that the land yielded bumper crops, he came along with his men to this field and took away three-fourth of the crop. Baba Jitoo pleaded with the landlord to adhere to the terms of the agreement but he forcibly took away the lion’s share of the crop. Incensed by the injustice, helpless Jitmal, while uttering his last words ‘sukki kanak nain khayaan mehtyaaa, dinna ratt ralayi’ (don’t saviour raw wheat, oh Mehta, let my blood be soaked in it), stabbed himself on the heap of the crop, leaving all grains drenched red with his blood. It is said that after that a fierce rainstorm raged in the area and the blood-strained grains were washed away. And all those people, even the birds, who had partaken in those grains later suffered from various afflictions, including diseases, untimely deaths, misfortunes and Jartars. To seek pardon from the wrath of the holy spirit, they not only asked for his forgiveness by worshipping him as a ‘Kul devta’- a family deity, also making it mandatory for their future generations to venerate Baba Jitoo and pay annual homage to him.
Bua Kouri
Bua Kouri, the daughter of Baba Jitoo is also mentioned in the folklore and stories surrounding Baba Jitoo. She holds an important place in the cultural and spiritual beliefs. Bua Kouri guided by their loyal dog, located her father’s dead body hidden in the Simbal tree trunk by the goons of Mehta. She set herself on fire alongside her father on the funeral pyre. Thereby becoming a powerful symbol of love, righteousness, strength and courage. She is always revered alongside her father and her name is invoked during rituals and celebrations.
So to pay reverence to Baba Jitto and Bua Kouri, Jhiri Mela is organised every year. People from far and flung areas throng the place to seek blessings. Many devotees bring sugarcane as an offering to the shrine of Baba Jitoo as part of their prayers for good health, happiness and success. Long green stalks are placed at the shrine as a token of devotion and faith.
Sugarcane is often seen as a symbol of prosperity, sweetness and blessings. The presence of sugarcane in the mela could be symbolic of the region’s agrarian heritage and a reflection of the deep connection between agriculture and spirituality. The offering of sugarcane might also have deeper spiritual meanings. Its sweetness is seen as a metaphor for the sweet blessings of Baba Jitoo that devotees hope to receive.
Apart from that, people also offer dolls to Bua Kouri. Dolls are believed to be symbolic of the innocence and purity associated with the persona Bua Kouri. It is said that people, especially women, bring these dolls to the mela to express their thanks for health and prosperity or to seek blessings for their children.
Baba-Da-Talab: The Sacred Pond of Miracles
A significant attraction at Jhiri Mela is the holy pond, known as Baba- Da-Talaab. The natural water body, located about four kilometres from the main temple, is believed to possess miraculous healing properties. The water of the pond is believed to hold the spiritual essence of Baba Jitoo, making it a central part of the mela and its rituals.
Devotees from various regions take a dip in the pond during the fair, seeking relief from skin ailments and other health issues. There is also a widespread belief that childless women who take a holy dip in the sacred water are blessed with offspring by the grace of Baba Jitoo and Bua Kouri.
Many people believe that the water from this pond can give them strength, health and protection, in line with the qualities associated with Baba Jitoo. Some devotees also carry water from the pond back to their homes as a form of blessing or to use in their religious practices.
The pond is not just a physical space but a spiritual one, representing the connection between the earth and the divine. It is a place where community comes together to reflect, pray and participate in religious ceremonies.
On the occasion of the Baba Jitoo Mela, Baba da Talab becomes a focal point for pilgrims. A large number of people visit to take part in the ritual bathing and offer prayer. Devotional songs and hymns are often sung around the pond, making the atmosphere deeply spiritual and festive.
Dangal (Wrestling): A Major Attraction of the Mela
The Dangal also known as ‘Chinj’ in many regions of Jammu is the highlight of the mela. The Dangal at Jhiri is mela is a blend of sports, culture and spirituality. Wrestlers from different villages or regions come together to compete in traditional wrestling. This event is symbolic of the strength and valour associated with Baba Jitoo and it attracts a large crowd of spectators.
The wrestlers, often dressed in traditional gear, engage in matches that are watched by thousands. The competition usually involves both professional and amateur wrestlers and it is an exciting part of the Mela that brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the fair.
The history of Dangal (wrestling) in Jammu is deeply rooted in the region’s cultural and spiritual traditions. Wrestling as a sport, has been a significant part of the social fabric of Jammu for centuries. Wrestling in Jammu has ancient origins, with references to traditional Pahalwani (Indian wrestling) styles being passed down through generations. Historically, wrestling was practised not just for entertainment but also as a way to build strength and discipline, especially among young men.
Fair for Farmers: Agrarian Significance of the Mela
Jhiri Mela is often referred to as the “farmer’s fair” because it is deeply rooted in the agricultural traditions of the region. Baba Jitoo himself was a farmer, and the fair serves as a tribute to his contribution and sacrifice.
The Jhiri Mela takes place during the post-harvest season, typically around November. The timing aligns with the completion of the Kharif crop season, which includes rice, maize, and other crops grown in the fertile fields of Jammu.
The mela is essentially a thanksgiving festival where farmers offer prayers for a good harvest and celebrate the bounty of the land. For the local farming community, this fair is a good way of acknowledging the work and blessings that have gone into a successful harvest. People from the surrounding village bring their crops to the mela as an offering to Baba Jitoo, seeking his blessings for future agricultural prosperity.
During the mela, many farmers bring their produce, particularly sugarcane, which holds a special place in the celebration. The fair provides a unique opportunity for farmers to sell their crops directly to visitors. The Mela becomes a marketplace where the latest farming tools, machinery and seeds are showcased, allowing farmers to stay updated on new agricultural practices and innovations. The trade aspect of the mela is crucial for improving farming efficiency and techniques in the region, helping local farmers enhance their productivity.
The mela often features discussion, storytelling and the sharing of farming experiences. The older generation of farmers shares wisdom with the younger ones, ensuring that traditional farming knowledge is passed down.
Along with crops, livestock- such as cattle, goats and sheep – plays a central role in the agricultural economy of the region. During Jhiri Mela, there are often exhibitions and sales of livestock, making it an important event for those involved in animal husbandry.
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