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Mela Patt, is an unique annual festival celeberated to commemorate the historic meet between Emperor Akbar and King Nagpal of Bhaderwah at Delhi. People drawn from different parts of the State participated in the Mela at “Khakhal”, a centrally located place in Bhaderwah.
Mela patt is celebrated on Nag Panchmi every year. The Mela was first initiated in 16th century by king Nagpal.
Akbar was so impressed with some miraculous spiritual powers of Raja Nagpal that he rewarded him with precious stones, gold,silver a golden kalash& costly velvet robes.
Akbar was so impressed with some miraculous spiritual powers of Raja Nagpal that he rewarded him with precious stones, gold,silver a golden kalash& costly velvet robes.
On the day of the festivities The Patt, a tall heavy load of conical shape with the urn on the top and decorated with beautiful flowers and hundreds of colourful pieces of cloth (symbolic of the velvet robes rewarded by Emperor Akbar) is carried through the town
...by a devotee on his head in a procession led by the ‘Chela' (shaman) of the deity and accompanied to the music of flutes, drums, cymbals and conches. Traditional dance is performed with the Patt being twirled round in step with the music.
(
Sushant padh-Youtube)
(
Sushant padh-Youtube)
History
Raja Nagpal was summoned in Delhi Darbar to appear before Akbar. He entered the court & greeted Akhbar without bowing down ,as done by all other Raja's. Akhbar asked him to bow down before him. Raja Nagpal refused to do so by saying I only bow down to his God Vasuki Nag
Raja Nagpal was summoned in Delhi Darbar to appear before Akbar. He entered the court & greeted Akhbar without bowing down ,as done by all other Raja's. Akhbar asked him to bow down before him. Raja Nagpal refused to do so by saying I only bow down to his God Vasuki Nag
Akbar was left embarrassed with his words. He adjourned the court and summoned Raja Nagpal to appear on next day. Meanwhile he directed his darbaris to build a new entry gate short in height thinking now Nagpal would have to bend to enter the room.
When Raja Nagpal reached at the court next day,he saw there is a smaller gate ,he understood the intention of Akhbar so he took his left foot ,bent his knee but not his head& entered keeping his head high Akbar got angry with his attitude and ordered to behead him next day
He was put behind bars. Raja Nagpal was nervous thinking about the what was about to happen the next morning. Then Shri Vasuki Nag ji maharaja appears in his dream he asked him are you worried, Raja Nagpal Said replied, yes I am.
Then Shri Vasuki Nag ji maharaj said to him "don't worry and do as I say, before chopping your head they will ask for your last wish,then you ask them to put a turban on your head keeping it's end side high (फोता). Next day he did as asked by Vasuki Nag ji.
As the gaurd came with his sword to behead him, as he raised his sword the upper end of the turban turned into 5 headed serpent God and disappeared, guard was taken a back, but he tried again..
The guard tried again the same miracle happened ,he tried it third the time saw the same 5 heads of Shri Vasuki Nag ji Maharaj. All the court members and Akhbar were perplexed and shocked.
Turban turned into 5 headed serpent God Nag covering Raja Nagpals head. Akbar asked his soldiers to release him immediately since then the famous 3 days #MelaPatt begun. It is believed that since then when Patt enters to Mela ground Vasuki Nag maharaj him self sits on it.
Thank you @NationFirst78 for his insight being from family of pujaries himself.
