28/08/2025
The famous fair of Bhadarwah, ‘Patte Ru Kodd’ commonly known as Mela Patt is a three-day festival celebrated in honour of the presiding deity, Shri Vasuki Nag Maharaj.
In 1580 A.D. Raja Nagpal of Bhadarwah visited Delhi to participate in an assembly of Pahari kings convened by Emperor Akbar. After witnessing a miracle of Nagraj Vasuki, the emperor sent gifts for Nagraj through Raja Nagpal, as a mark of respect and submission. These gifts included royal drums (Naubat), diamond-studded gold ornaments, gold urns (Kalash), silver utensils for ritual worship and gold-embroidered silk clothes.
Upon the return of Raja Nagpal to Bhadarwah, these valuable items were displayed to the public. The silk cloths were bundled together to form a temple-shaped pillar, topped with golden urns. A devotee carried this structure on his head, swirling it around to the beat of ‘noubat-nagada’ (drums) in celebration. This structure made of silk clothes was called ‘Patt’, as silk cloth is known as ‘Patt’ in Sanskrit and the event was called ‘Patte Ru Kodd’ or ‘Mela Patt.’ The tradition continues today with the same gaiety and devotion.
This festival begins on the evening of Bhadrapad Shukla Tritiya with the worship of a five-piece (Panchmukhi) golden Kalash known as ‘Jhaari’ at the Ganesh Math temple. The Jhaari is carried by a member of the Rajpurohit (royal priests) family on his head through the main lanes of town in the form of a procession and established in the sanctum of Shri Vasuki Nag temple. The following morning, the Rajpurohit carries the Jhaari with the same reverence to the dalaan (hall) of the residence of Rajgurus (royal mentors) in Khakhal. It is kept here for darshan (viewing) and worship.
Since olden times, the fabrication of Patt and management of this festival has been entrusted to ten prominent families of Bhadarwah called ‘Dashnaan’. The members of these families remain in austerity and chastity called ‘Kaar’ until the festival’s completion. The Patt is assembled in the ‘dalaan’ of ‘Rajgurus’ by the members of the Dashnan families at night. They segregate the cloth pieces based on their length, colour, design, and weight and tie them by various kinds of knots in the shape of a temple over a wooden body called Ghorhi. The knots at the upper part of this column are artistically covered by a piece of gold embroidered cloth (zari cloth). The golden urns are fitted in it with the biggest one at the pinnacle and four smaller ones on the sides. The creation of Patt, sculpted in the form of a temple vimana is accomplished in the wee hours of Rishi Panchami.
At the break of dawn, a designated chela carries the Patt on his head and leads a procession to the Durga Mata temple in Khakhal, Shri Vasuki Nag temple, and the Ganesh Math temple, where. The Patt is ceremonially swirled outside all three temples.a history of this rich festival is very large so I can Short it
