SOCIETY

Eunuchs celebrate Bhujariya festival in Bhopal

     Bhopal: Eunuchs from several parts of the country assembled at Sarrafa Chowk in Bhopal on Sunday to celebrate the ancient Bhujariya festival which is believed to have started by erstwhile Nawabs. Dressed in colourful attire and dancing in a spirited fashion, the eunuchs carried out processions and prayed for the well-being of people. The Mangalvara and Budgvara areas of Bhopal have a huge population of eunuchs and transvestites. The eunuchs traditionally dress up in colourful dresses and take to the streets to pray for all while dancing and singing and entertaining people. Legend has it that the erstwhile Nawab of the area had urged the eunuchs to pray for rain in the parched area. As a result of their prayers, the area received heavy rains. Even today the eunuchs dressed in traditional attire and take out a procession which is witnessed by thousands of people. They dance to the popular tunes. "The Nawab had asked us to come to Bhopal as there was no rain. The eunuchs had prayed for rain and it rained. We try to entertain the people. We prepared for it a lot. We brought jewellery," said Devi, a eunuch. "We pray for those who do not have children and those who are unmarried. We come from far off places," said Suraiya, an old eunuch. The festivities have changed a lot with time and this year a huge stage was erected to celeberate the occasion with full pomp and show. The tradition is cherished by old eunuchs like Suraiya who has even contested the assembly polls from Bhopal. After travelling through the length of the city, the procession terminated at a lake in the city.
-Aug 23, 2005

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