Malerkotla: Devotees urge govt to preserve Guga shrine

Mahesh Sharma

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Malerkotla, August 11

Caretakers of Guga Mari shrine have urged the state and Union Government to recognise it as an embodiment of cultural heritage and communal harmony and bring the annual event Mela Chhapar on the National Calendar of Tourism.

As the shrine is situated along Ahmedgarh-Lohatbaddi Road on Malerkotla and Ludhiana border, residents of both the districts predominate among organisers and visitors of the shrine, even though only a couple of Brahmin families are legal heirs of the property associated with the shrine.

Its history can be traced back to 1890, when Guga Peer, a Chauhan Rajput of Rajasthan, sank on earth along with his horse and a primitive mound was constructed here. Guga Peer is considered to be an embodiment of Nag Devta. Hence, devotees dig soil seven times before paying obeisance at the shrine. Devotees believe that snakebite, skin diseases and other serious ailments are cured if the sufferer offers wheat, salt and snakes made of silver here.

Devotees, including Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims throng the complex during the four-day annual religious and socio-cultural Mela Chhapar, which is scheduled to commence on September 16 as Chowkian, traditionally reserved for female devotees only.

Residents alleged that successive governments have failed to do the needful to preserve the historic and cultural values of the shrine and events associated with it. Extensive stalls established by managers of eateries, fun rides, merry go round swings and companies have virtually dragged folk artistes and singers away from the event.

Rameshwar Dass, a local resident, said folk and art lovers, including dhadis, katha vachaks and folk singers, who used to narrate sacrifices of gurus and national heroes, were no longer part of periodic congregations at the shrine.

“Once only a purely religious congregation to worship Gugga, Mela Chhapar now seems to have been hijacked by politicians and businessmen,” said Rameshwar Dass.

Jatinder Sharma Happy, chief of Sidh Sulakhan Society, demanded that the government should come forward to preserve religious sanctity and cultural heritage of the shrine and bring the annual Mela Chhapar on the national calendar of festivals.