Bonding With The Roots: A Visit to My Maternal Village Rameshpur

For many of us living in cities, visiting our ancestral villages is like taking a trip back in time. The serene atmosphere, fresh air, and rustic charm that’s often missing from our daily lives, can transport us to a world that we might have only heard about from our grandparents. Recently, I got a chance to visit my maternal village with my cousin Harshita and it turned out to be a rejuvenating experience.

Visiting my maternal village Rameshpur is always a very enjoyable experience for me. The small village in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque and breathtaking destinations for me. It is situated near Adishakti Maa Bhuvaneshwari Sidhpeet in Sanguda, Bilkhet near Satpuli town in Pauri Garhwal. We usually take a train from Delhi to Kotdwara from where Taxis and buses are available for Satpuli or Banghat. A local taxi then takes us to Tilia or Adi Shakti Maa Bhuvaneshwari temple. From there Rameshpur is around a kilometer of a steep climb. But this time Sushil Mamaji picked us up in Kotdwar and took us to Rameshpur in his car.

As soon as we arrived at the village, we were greeted with open arms by our relatives. It was heart-warming to see how excited our Mamaji Shri Sunil Naithani and Mamiji Shrimati Sumila Naithani and cousins Anjali and Anmol were to see us. We spent the first few hours catching up with everyone and reminiscing about old times. It was incredible to see how our relatives managed to keep the place pristine despite the lack of modern amenities.

Nestled amidst the lush green mountains, Rameshpur offers a serene and peaceful environment away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The village was established by my maternal great-grandfather Shri Urvi Dutt Naithani. He had four sons and four daughters and named the village after his eldest son Shri Ramesh Chandra Naithani. His youngest son Shri Harish Chandra Naithani was my Maternal grandfather. Rameshpur is blessed with natural beauty in the form of an orchard, a rivulet, a small waterfall, and scenic mountains.

The orchard is a special attraction of the village where fruit plants such as Mango, Banana, Litchi, Chakotra (grapefruit), Malta, Fig, Bedu (Himalayan Fig), Timla (Roxburgh fig), Bael (Stone Apple), and Lemon are grown. These fruit plants were planted by my maternal great-grandfather Shri Urvi Dutt Naithani, who was a forest officer during the British Raj. It is awe-inspiring to think that these fruit plants have been passed down from generation to generation and are still serving as a source of pride for the family It is a testament to my maternal great-grandfather’s love for nature and his desire to preserve the forest resources of the region for future generations. It is a symbol of family history and legacy.

The serene waterfall in Rameshpur is another mesmerizing attraction that draws us to the village. The sound of the water gushing down the rocks is so soothing that it creates a sense of calmness and tranquillity. The surrounding flora and fauna add to the soothing atmosphere of the place. Rameshpur is also home to a natural source of water that provides hot water in winter and cold water in summer. This phenomenon is unique as such sources are rare and incredibly helpful. This water source certainly adds to the village's charm, providing a unique natural spa experience for visitors.

In short, the quaint little village of Rameshpur is a place of natural beauty and charm that has remained untouched by modernization. Visiting my maternal village reminds me of the beauty and importance of nature and heritage, and it is always great to connect with my ancestral roots.

According to Folklore Maa Bhuvaneshwari had appeared to Shri Netramani Naithani of Naithana village in a dream and ordered that Maa Matrilinga should be installed in Sanguda.  After that, the mother's pindi was established in Sanguda along with the chanting of mantras.

Situated in a beautiful valley, river Nayar on one side and green fields on the other side, swaying crops, and hills in the front view give unique beauty to this religious place. The temple has been renovated in the years 1981 and 1993, except for the sanctum sanctorum. The priests of this temple belong to the Selwal caste of Saili village. The people of the Naithani caste see the management and arrangement of the temple. Maa Bhuvaneshwari shrine temple is the main temple of Naithana, Dhari, Kund, Bilkhet, Daisan, Saili, Sainar, Gorli, etc. villages. To reach Maa Bhuvaneshwari Siddhapeeth located at Bilkhet, Sanguda of Pauri Garhwal, one has to reach Satpuli, a small town situated at a distance of about 54 km from Kotdwar and 52 km from Pauri on National Highway 119 between Kotdwar-Pauri. Maa Bhuvaneshwari Siddhapeeth, full of natural beauty and grandeur, is at a distance of about 8 kilometers from Satpuli on the road to Banghat, Byaschatti, Devprayag. The state of Uttarakhand is known for its rich cultural heritage and numerous festivals. Various local, regional, and provincial fairs are held here periodically, all of which are deeply linked to the proud and illustrious mythological heritage of Uttarakhand.

In the district of Pauri Garhwal, several local fairs are held periodically. One notable fair is the "ball fair" called "Gindi Kauthig" in the local dialect, which takes place during Makar Sankranti. I visited this fair with my cousins Harshita and Anjali. The fair holds significant importance in the area. Various areas in Pauri Garhwal such as Thalnadi, Dadamandi, Debikhet, Dalmikhet, Mavakot, Sanguda Bilkhet, etc. host ball fairs, attracting crowds from far and wide. According to mythical tales, this fair dates back to the era of Mahabharata. The legend says that Pandavas are believed to have sought refuge in the hills during their exile. The Kaurava army eventually tracked them down and a fierce wrestling match occurred between the two groups on the banks of the Thalanadi River. The fair celebrated today is probably in memory of this significant mythological event.

The Gend Mela Samiti, Sanguda (Bilkhet) organizes the Gend Mela (Ball Fair) in the fields around Maa Bhuvaneshwari temple. We enjoyed watching this game. The game of ball fight resembles a wrestling match between players from two different fields or lanes. There are no specific rules or restrictions regarding the number of players or duration of the game. The main feature of this game is a leather ball with a securely attached bracelet. It is typically played in open fields during the chilly month of January. People from both sides start their day by praying in the temple to seek victory from God. Later in the day, they come together at a designated spot, carrying their regional flags and playing drums. Before the game begins, the Pandav dance is organized. The group that has possession of the ball tosses it into the air, and the struggle to catch it and throw it into their area's boundary begins. Both sides become perplexed and grab for the ball, with the sole objective of snatching it and tossing it into their respective areas. This fierce competition continues for a considerable amount of time, and the intensity of the game fuels both the players and the audience. Supporters of all ages, from children to senior citizens, boost the morale of their local team by chanting slogans. After an arduous struggle involving grabbing, pushing, and pulling, when one team finally tosses the ball into their designated area, they are declared the winners. The triumphant team jubilantly dances and sings while carrying the ball with them. This year teams from Maniyarsyun and Langursyun pattis competed in the Gindi competition and the Maniyarsyun team emerged victorious.

During ancient times, people had limited options for entertainment, and thus fairs held great significance for them, much like festivals. Even today, Garhwali fairs offer a glimpse of rural life and serve as a source of income for local and outside traders. Shops selling cosmetics and sports toys can be seen, while food stalls are packed with crowds enjoying traditional delicacies like hot jalebis and spicy chickpeas. Although Chinese food stalls have also become common, the joy of eating hot jalebis in a farm yard remains unparalleled.

As the evening approached, people started to leave the fair and return to their homes, using the fair as a means to meet acquaintances. We also left for our village. The next day we returned back to Delhi.

For me, visiting my maternal village with my cousins Harshita, Anjali and Anmol turned out to be an adventure-filled, eye-opening, and culturally rich experience. The most rewarding part of the trip was spending time with my cousins. We shared stories, laughed, and had a great time bonding. It was wonderful to see how each one of us had grown and developed different personalities despite coming from the same family background. It was a reminder of how important it is to stay connected with our roots and to appreciate the beauty and simplicity of life. I feel refreshed and renewed after this trip and look forward to more such experiences in the future.

Photo Credits: Shri Satish Naithani (My Mamaji)