Gugga Naumi Festival: Folk Devotion and Cultural Unity in India

Gugga Naumi is a folk -religious fair held mostly in Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh. Devoted to Gugga Pir, a folk deity of the Chauhan Rajputs, they believe that he will protect his followers against snakebites, and that he brings fertility, health, and prosperity. The festival is celebrated on the ninth of Krishna Paksha during the month of Bhadrapad which normally starts around Raksha Bandhan. Festivals, Gugga Medi, entry of Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, have some major fairs, rituals and processions. It has a syncretic nature in the sense that it involves both the Hindus and the Muslims, which makes it socially and culturally valuable.

Context 

• It is witnessed between Raksha Bandhan and Krishna Paksha Navami of Bhadrapad month each year.

• Worship centres: Gugga Medi, Hanumangarh, in Rajasthan.

• Famous as a festival of snake worship, folk religion and unity.

Key Details

Date & Observance

• A day before Purnima of Bhadrapad month (Janmashtami).

• It starts on the day of Raksha Bandhan and carries on to one week.

Major Celebrations

• Visits to the village of Gugga Medi (Hanumangarh, Rajasthan).

• The standard of Gugga Pir is a Garuda (snake charmer).

• Pir ke Sole types of devotional songs are sung.

• Faires, rites and propitiation that were maintained at Gugga shrines (Marhis).

About Gugga pir

• Gugga, Guggapir or Gugga Zahir Pir or Guaji.

• Rajput of the Chauhan Chauhan also called Agni vamsa clan of princes.

• It is shown on a blue horse with blue & yellow flags.

• Had powers over poisonous snakes.

Worshipped for:

• Snakebites prevention.

• Children’s well-being.

• Healing powers.

Conclusion

Gugga Naumi is a cultural and not only a religious practice that provides the symbolism of the unity and the diversity of rural India. It reinforces bonds between the community, and maintains centuries old customs of worshiping snakes and folklore. This festival also gives prominence to the composite cultural ethos of India, by crossing religious lines.