Popular Bhaderwahi Bhajan |Jai Vasuki Nag | Two month long holy Nag festival -Jatlaaz | Jatra Recap

Two month long holy Nag festival season also known as ‘Jatlaaz' in #Bhaderwahi language, which started immediately after Raksha Bandhan, culminated traditionally with age old Malcha locally called 'Malchai' festival on Friday 10/22.
Malcha is celebrated in #ChintaValley of Jammu and Kashmir's Bhaderwah since centuries.
The pre winter festival marks the end of Nag festive season and after which the Kewars (doors) of all the Nag temples barring Nagni Mata are closed and deities are completely draped in traditional silk clothes. The same are opened next year on the eve of Baisakhi festival.
This year Jatlaaz started on 21st August from village Manthla of Bhadarwah and after being celebrated in different villages on different dates, today ended with Malcha festival, where beside locals of Chinta valley, people from different villages and Bhadarwah town also gathered to mark the culmination of festive season.
After night long celebrations, where locals along with half a dozen priests known as Chelaaz gathered around the sacred fire place (Zagru) and performed traditional #Dhekku dance till dawn. At 4 am, the priests along with some selected locals trekked to hill top Nag Temple at Manthla and after taking the blessings of serpent god came back to Chinta, where hundreds of devotees were waiting for them to take blessings.
The priests wearing ancient ornaments depicting traditional Nag culture crossed the fire place bare-footed among the Nag chants and religious hymns.
Music Credits:
Writer : Milkhi Ram Mastana Ji
Music : Surinder Manhas Ji
Singer : Man Singh Ji
Video Editing : International Bhadarwahi Society (IBS)