|
Page2
One striking feature is that there is no rigidity or exclusiveness in the
devotees so far as their presiding deity isconcerned. A devotee of Lord Shiva will equally
be attracted to the Devi temples. Another particular feature about the district is that
the priestly functions are not exclusive to the Brahmins. It is the Rajputs who work as
the priests in many temples. In some, the priests belong to castes other than Brahmins or
Rajputs, for some of the temples the worshipper has to bring his own Bhat to do the
rituals.
The Rainka fair has to be mentioned at the
very beginning as this is fair wheredifferent images are brought from different places and
worshipped. The fair is held on the eleventh of the bright half of moon "Deo- Uthni
Akadshi" in Kartik month lasting two days. As many as twelve images are brought to
the temple on that occasion.
Four of Paras Ram, one each from Jamu and
Kataha in Rainka tahsil, and Dugana in Paonta tahsil; three images of Shirigul, from Manal
Deva in Rainka, and from Shaya (tahsil Pachhad) and from Jaitak (Nahan tahsil); the images
of La Devi from Birlah (Nahan), of Manar Devi from Manaria, and of Naina Devi from Bhaila
(tahsil Rainka) and the images of the deities Gau from Kotla Molar, and of the Barah Rupi
from Kando Ungar (Rainka tahsil).
|
