BILASPUR

The Guga Naumi fair at Nagraon collects thousands of believers, Hindus and Muslims. "During the month of Bhadon the famous fair of Guga Naumi is held at Nagraon in tahsil Ghamarwin. From first to the eighth day of Bhadon parties of singers go from house to house singing episode of Guga for which they get grains, from the villager.

Generally the parties comprise scheduled- castes. They carry 'Guga emblem'. The emblem is an iron rod with its head shaped like the head of a snake. Maulis (red yarn) are tied to the emblem. The emblem is worshipped with incense in the morning before a party sets out for singing. A person holds an hour-glass drum in hand, another or two may carry thalis (plates) and beat them with light stick.

This constitutes the orchestra to accompany the songs of Guga. On the last day i.e. the day of Guga naumi the songs are sung on the than (seat) of Guga at Nagraon. About five hundred persons assemble in the fair for a day. There is a temple where people offer grain and coins, before the priests take Guga image and the offerings. Wrestling matches highlight this fair wherein the winning wrestlers are rewarded.

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