Villages of Punjab, Villages of India

Villages of Punjab hold key to the state`s economical, industrial and agricultural strength.

The villages of Punjab are rich in tradition and cultural heritage. A majority of the state`s total population lives in the villages. The villagers live a life full of joy and entertainment and they celebrate each and every occasion together. Music and dance play a major part in their celebrations. The Punjabi style of celebration is famous all over the world. The villages of Punjab are also considered the lifeline for the state, as their economic, agricultural or industrial strength largely depend upon the villages.

Society in the villages of Punjab is a mixture of a variety of religious communities. People follow different religious paths and also celebrate their respective fairs and festivals. The major religious communities living in the villages of Punjab include the Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, etc. Apart from these, various tribal communities also reside in the villages of Punjab. The major tribes of Punjab include the Jats, Khatris, Aroras, Brahmans, Vaishas, Sainis, Kambohs, Sansis, etc. The Sainis mainly reside in the villages located in Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Rupar, etc. and the Kambohs reside in the villages of Patiala, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Ferozepur, etc. All these tribes are dependent on agriculture and hence, are known as agriculturist tribes. However, there are a few non-agriculturist tribes found in the villages of Punjab. These tribes include the Khatris, the Aroras and the Vaishas and they are mainly engaged in trade and commerce.

The rural people in Punjab speak in different languages. However, Punjabi is the most widely spoken language in the villages of Punjab. Apart from Punjabi, the other major languages include Hindi, Urdu, English, etc. Other dialects are also spoken by the people in Punjab. Some of the most common dialects are Awankari, Bhattiani, Rathi, Malwai, Powadhi, Pahari, Doabi, Kangri, Dogri, Jangli, Jatki, Chenavri, Bhawalpuri, Thali, Bherochi, Dhani, Ghebi, Hindko, Swaen, Chacchi, Pothohari, Punchi, etc.

The governmental authorities have established many primary and secondary schools in the villages of Punjab to provide the villagers with primary and secondary education. Most children in the villages receive primary education from these schools. The number of school going children in the villages of Punjab is quite remarkable. After completing the 10+2 education, the students can pursue higher education in the colleges and universities located in the urban areas. The overall educational scenario in the villages of Punjab is impressive. However, continuous initiatives are being taken by the governmental authorities to further improve the status of rural education.

Agriculture has always been the principal occupation of people in the villages of Punjab. Punjab is one of the most agriculturally developed regions in India and contributes hugely to the total agricultural production of India. There are two main harvests in a year in the villages, namely the Rabi or spring and the Kharif. The villagers cultivate the crops like wheat, gram, barley, oil seeds, fodder crops, potatoes, winter vegetables, etc. during the Rabi season. On the other hand, the Kharif or autumn harvest consists of the crops like rice, maize, sugarcane, cotton, pulses, gram and peas, bajra, jowar and the vegetables like chillies, onions, gourd, etc. The villagers practice two system of cropping namely the Dofasli Harsala and Ekfasli Harsala. While, the Dofasli Harsala means two harvests in a period of twelve months, the Ekfasli Harsala means a single crop in a year.

Apart from agriculture, various small-scale and medium scale industries also provide employment in the villages of Punjab. The small-scale industrial units in Punjab produce bicycle parts, sewing machines, hand tools, machine tools, auto parts, electronic items, sports goods, hosiery, knitwear, textiles, sugar, surgical and leather goods, etc. Most of these products manufactured in the villages of Punjab are at par with the highest quality standards in the world. The other industries providing employment to the villagers in Punjab include the cotton textile industry, sugar industry, dairy industry, Vanaspati ghee industry, woolen textile industry, hosiery industry, sports goods industry, engineering industries, etc.

People in the villages of Punjab are famous all over the country for their wonderful way of celebrating various fairs and festivals. All the festivals celebrated in Punjab are colourful in nature and people perform various traditional music and dance forms as part of celebrating festivals. The major festivals celebrated in the villages of Punjab include Holi, Baisakhi, Lohri, Maghi, Diwali, Gurparav, Tika, Teej, Basant Panchami, etc. People perform the popular dance forms like Bhangra, Dhamal, Gidda, Sammi, Jhumar, Jaago, Luddi, Kikli, Julli, Teeyan, etc. during the festivals. The villagers also wear their traditional dresses during the festivals. The traditional dresses for men include the turban, kurta, pyjama, loose baggy salwar, loongi or tehmat, the juttis (shoes), etc. On the other hand, the traditional attires for Punjabi women include salwar-kameez, kurta, chunni or dupatta, etc. There is a particular kind of bangle worn by both Sikh men and women in the villages of Punjab named Kada. Many villagers also use a range of ornaments including bangles, necklaces, rings and earrings, nose-pins, ornaments to pin in the hair, anklets, toe-rings, etc.

Various traditional rural sports also play a major part in celebration of festivals in the villages of Punjab. Generally, three types of sport competitions are held during rural fairs and festivals including the purely rural games like kabaddi, wrestling, weight-lifting, etc. The modern sports like hockey, football, volleyball, cycling, handball, etc. are also organised during village festivals. Apart from these, the performing sports like acrobatics, passing tractor over the rib-ease, twisting an iron-rod by placing it on Adam`s apple, cracking a big stone by placing it on the chest, etc. are held as well. The most frequently played sports in the villages of Punjab include running, jumping, archery, fencing and riding competitions, gymnastic and acrobatic displays, hockey, Tirinjen, Kikli, Gheeta Pathar, Khidu, Kokla Chhapaki, Chicho Chich Ganerian, Lukan Miti (Hide & Seek), Guli Danda, Kidi Kada or Stapoo, Ghaggar Phissi, Rasa Kashi (Tug of War), Martial Art, Kite Flying (Patang Bazi), etc.

The villages of Punjab are a favourite tourist destination for many people in India. They love to visit the villages to experience the wonderful Punjabi way of celebrating festivals. The lush green paddy fields and wonderful scenic beauty of the villages also attracts many people from all over the country.

Northeast Indian Village Festivals

The `Seven Sister` states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura constitute the northeastern part of India. People living in the villages of these states celebrate a variety of colourful festivals throughout the year. As most of the villages are predominantly populated by the tribal communities, the northeastern India is the best place to experience the rich tribal culture. The northeast Indian village festivals are famous all over the country for their uniqueness and also for their rich tradition and customs.

The northeast Indian village festivals are full of enthusiasm and exuberance and they exhibit the true spirit, tradition and lifestyle of the people of the region. Every social community in the region has its own tradition and culture and celebrates a variety of fairs and festivals round the year. The festivals are of different types or nature that include agricultural, religious and socio-cultural and they give the people ample opportunity to enjoy and socialise.

Chapchar Kut or Spring Festival is one of the most important northeast Indian village festivals and is mostly celebrated in Mizoram. The Mizo people celebrate this festival after completing the most arduous task of jungle clearing for Jhum cultivation. Men and women of all ages assemble and perform various folk dances and sing traditional songs in this occasion. They also wear their traditional dresses and headgears. The folk dances and songs are often accompanied with the instruments like drums, gongs and cymbals. Another major northeast Indian village festival is Moastu. This festival is mainly performed by Ao Naga in the villages of Nagaland and they celebrate it after the sowing. The people worship the village deity, sacrifice animals and perform folk dance and music during this festival.

The villages of Tripura in northeast India are well known for celebrating various tribal festivals throughout the year. The festivals in Tripura are counted amongst the most colourful northeast Indian village festivals and they are celebrated in a unique style. Kharchi Puja is one of the major festivals celebrated in the villages of Tripura. People worship 14 Gods during this festival and it is held every year in the month of July. The Kharchi Puja attracts people from all over India. Another major northeast Indian village festival is the Ker Puja. This is celebrated 15 days after the Kharchi Puja and this unique festival is celebrated for the welfare of the people. Songs and dances are very much essential parts of all these northeast Indian village festivals. The festivals like Poush Sankranti, Ashokashtmi, Garia, Ker Ganga, Gajan, etc. are also considered the major festivals in the villages of Tripura.

One of the major northeast Indian village festivals is the Yaoshang. This is the premier festival celebrated in the villages of Manipur and this five-day long festival starts from the full moon day in February-March. A particular type of Manipuri folk dance named Thabal Chongba is the special attraction of this festival. The Manipur New Year, Cheiraoba is also a major northeast Indian village festival. It is celebrated in the month of April and the villagers clean and decorate their houses and prepare special festive dishes on this occasion.

Wangala or the Hundred-drum Festival is the most important festival celebrated by the tribal community, Garos in the villages of Meghalaya. This festival is also counted amongst the most important northeast Indian village festivals. This harvest festival is celebrated in honour of Sun God and is held in the months of November and December. Another important northeast Indian village festival is Ka Pemblang Nongkrem Dance, popularly known as only Nongkrem Dance. This is held annually for five days by the Khasi tribes. Behdienkhlam is the premier dance festival celebrated by the Jaintia tribes in the villages of Meghalaya. This festival is celebrated once the sowing period is over.

All the major festivals celebrated throughout India are celebrated in the villages of northeast India. The festivals like Durga Puja, Diwali, Holi, Dussehra, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Muharram, Christmas, Buddha Purnima, Mahavir Jayanti, Gurupurab, etc. are celebrated with much pomp and gaiety in the northeast Indian villages. The northeast Indian village festivals are full of entertainment colour, music and cheerfulness. Most of the festivals are related to agriculture or have mythological significance and the villagers enjoy them greatly.

South Indian Village Festivals

The South Indian villages are famous all over the country for their glittering festivals and their wonderful ways of celebrating these festivals. The south Indian village festivals are of different kinds like religious, or seasonal or related to harvesting. While some of the festivals are just agrarian and pastoral in nature, others are connected with mythology. There are also a few sports festivals celebrated in the villages of south India. The south Indian villages comprise the villages located in the states of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, etc. Dussehra is considered one of the major south Indian village festivals. This festival is celebrated in all the villages of south India with much pomp and liveliness. Karaga is a unique festival celebrated in the villages of Karnataka. It is celebrated on the full moon day of April, which is the first month of Kannada calendar. The New Year celebration in Karnataka is known as Yugadi. The villagers also celebrate the other major religious festivals like Makar Sankranti, Diwali, Holi, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, etc. with great enthusiasm and cheerfulness. The birthday of Lord Ganesh, Vinayak Chaturthi is also celebrated in the villages of south India. The villages of Kerala in south India are famous for backwaters and boat races, which are celebrated with great exuberance. Vishu is one of the most important south Indian village festivals and is the New Year of the Malayali people. Another notable south Indian village festival is Onam festival. This festival is celebrated in the honour of the King Mahabali, who once ruled Kerala. Pongal festival is counted amongst the most famous and popular south Indian village festivals. This harvest festival is mainly celebrated in the villages of Tamil Nadu and it has three days duration. The three days of the festival have different names like Bhogi (first day), Pongal (second day) and Mattu Pongal (third day). The villagers wear new clothes and decorate their houses with beautiful motifs using rice flower during the Pongal festival. Pongal is actually the name of the sweet made of the first rice. Float festival is also an important south Indian village festival. The villagers embellish the icons of goddess Meenakshi and after taking her consort in a colourful procession, they float the icons in the tank of a raft decked with flowers and lamps. One of the notable south Indian village festivals is the Karthigai Deepam festival. The Masimagam festival is a major village festival celebrated in the villages of union territory, Puducherry. The Veerampattinam and the Villianur Car Festival are the two other major festivals celebrated in Puducherry. Apart from these, the other major south Indian village festivals include the Aranmula Boat Race, Natyanjali Dance Festival, Kavadi Festival, etc. The south Indian village festivals are well known for their music, classical dance and theatrical performances. The village festivals have an ethnic taste and colour of their own. The villagers perform many interesting rituals, grand processions, decorations and fireworks during the festivals that attract several tourists from all over the country. The village festivals play a major role to promote tourism in the region.

West Indian Village Festivals

The West Indian villages are counted amongst the most colourful and exotic villages all over India. The villages in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra, etc. comprise the West Indian villages. Several fairs and festivals are celebrated in these villages round the year and the West Indian village festivals are best known for the active participation of people from all strata of society.

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most notable and widely celebrated West Indian village festivals. This festival is celebrated to worship the God of wisdom and good fortune, Ganesh and it is an eleven-day long festivity participated by all in the society. The villagers perform various cultural activities during this festival including music, dance, drama, theatre, orchestra, plays, skits, etc. The other major festivals celebrated all over India like Diwali, Holi, Dussehra, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Muharrum, Christmas, Buddha Purnima, etc. are also celebrated in the West Indian villages.

Another major West Indian village festival is the Gangaur festival celebrated in the villages of Rajasthan. The women of the villages bring home the Gauri, wife of Shiva and worship her during this festival. The Mewar festival is another village festival that welcomes the spring and it is a great visual feast to the tourists, as they can enjoy the Rajasthani songs, dances, processions, devotional music and firework displays. Urs is another major festival of people from the Muslim community in the villages of west India. The tribal communities in West Indian villages celebrate the Baneshwar Fair in the month of February. The fair is dedicated to Lord Shiva and people bath the Shiva Lingam with milk and applied saffron. The main attraction of this festival is the Bhils, who sing traditional folk songs sitting around a bonfire every night. Teej is also a major village festival in West India and is celebrated in the month of August.

The Dang Darbar festival that coincides with Holi is counted amongst the most popular and famous West Indian village festivals. This festival is mainly celebrated in the villages of Gujarat and is a unique celebration of Holi by the tribes. The auspicious occasion that commemorates the worship of Divine Mother Goddess, Navaratri is another major festival in the West Indian villages. This is a nine-day long festival celebrated by everyone in the villages of Gujarat. The Garba raas and Dandiya dance are the most attractive features of this festival. The Marathi New Year, Gudhi Padava is celebrated in the West Indian villages in April. The Marathi people place a long decorated stick in front of their houses (called Gudhi) to welcome the New Year and they also worship the Gudhi.

Dedicated to the Snake God, Nagpanchami is one of the major West Indian village festivals. This festival is celebrated in the month of August and the women worship the snake during Nagpanchami. The Parsi New Year of Pateti is also celebrated widely in the villages of West India. The other West Indian village festivals include the Nariyel Purnima (worshipping the Sea God), Pola (when the farmer decorates his cattle, worships it and feeds it with goodies), Vasco Saptah, etc.

People from all classes of the village society celebrate the West Indian village festivals with much pomp and gaiety. The festivals are of different types like religious, seasonal or related to harvesting. However, whatever be the type of festival is, the people celebrate it together and take it as a great platform for social communication.

North Indian Village Festivals

Several kinds of festivals are celebrated in different regions of India throughout the year. Among the five regions of India, the north region is quite famous for celebrating a variety of colourful festivals. The villages in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand comprise the north Indian villages. Processions, prayers, new attires, dance, music, etc. are the common elements in any kind of celebration in north India. However, though the basic mood is the same, the traditions and cultures of celebrating festivals differ from state to state.

The north Indian village festivals can be classified according to their nature or style of celebration. While some of the festivals are of religious nature, there are a few that are related to change of season and harvesting. The festival of colour, Holi, is one of the major north Indian village festivals. People love to spray colours on each other during this festival. Ganesh Chaturthi is another major festival in north India and the God of wisdom and good fortune, Ganesh, is worshipped during this festival.

Another major Hindu festival in north Indian villages is Diwali. It is the festival of lights and people decorate their houses with lots of lights during this festival. The other Hindu festivals celebrated in the villages of north India include Janmashtami, Dussehra, Raksha Bandhan, etc. One of the major north Indian village festivals is Baisakhi. It is the New Year Day of the Punjabi people and they sing, dance and spend many light moments with each other during this day. Baisakhi is also considered a harvest festival as wheat ripens during this time. The villagers perform various forms of folk dance and music during the festival. Gurupurab is another major Sikh and Punjabi festival in north Indian villages. Rural people celebrate the birthdays and the martyrdom of reverend Sikh Gurus. This festival is celebrated by performing mock battles, display of swordsmanship and horse riding.

Vaitha-Vatur-Truvah is one of the major north Indian village festivals. This festival is celebrated in the villages of Punjab. People from all religious communities participate in the festival. On the other hand Urs is a Muslim festival, mostly celebrated in the villages of Jammu and Kashmir. This is a typical Kashmiri festival held annually at the shrines of Muslim saints on their death anniversaries. Another important festival in the villages of Jammu and Kashmir is Sindhu Darshan. The people worship the source of the Sindhu River in Leh during this festival. There are a few Buddhist festivals celebrated in the villages of north India like the Yuru Kabgyat. Doscmoche is another ancient festival that is still celebrated in the villages of Jammu and Kashmir every year with great pomp and fervour.

The Phulaich festival is a major north Indian village festival, mostly celebrated in the villages of Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh. This festival is unique in tradition and is celebrated as the flower festival. The Rajput people of the village sing and dance during the festival. They also worship the village deity on the third day of the festival, by bedecking him/her with all the finery along with the numerous flowers. Another two major north Indian village festivals are Teej and Sanjhi. Both these festivals are celebrated in the villages of Himachal Pradesh. While Teej is a colourful festival where the girls and married women worship Lord Shiva and Parvati, Sanjhi is a festival where the unmarried girls worship Sanjhi as the mother goddess. They make the image of Sanjhi with mud using various shapes and worship the image. Gangore is also one of the popular North Indian village festivals during which, idols of Ishar and Gangore are worshipped. This spring festival is held in honour of Gauri, the goddess of abundance.

Lathmar Holi is a famous festival celebrated in the villages of Braj in Uttar Pradesh. This is one of the most notable north Indian village festivals and it has an ancient tradition. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna from Nandgaon used to come to Barsana to play Holi with Radha along with his Gopi friends during this period. Mata Murti Ka Mela is another popular north Indian village festival held in the villages of Champavat region in Uttarakhand. This is a unique festival when the mother of Badrinath is worshipped. The Magh Mela during Sankranti in the Kumaon region is also an important festival.

The major Muslim festivals like Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Muharrum, etc. are celebrated in all the villages of north India and hence, are counted among the major north Indian village festivals. Christmas is the principal religious festival of the Christians and is celebrated in the villages of north India. The major festivals of other religions like Buddha Purnima of Buddhists, Mahavir Jayanti of Jains, etc. are also celebrated in the north Indian villages. Apart from all the above mentioned fairs and festivals, there are a few other north Indian village festivals that include Nagaur Fair, Desert Festival, Baneshwar Fair, Mewar Festival, Elephant Festival, Summer Festival, Pushkar Fair, Camel Festival, Lohri Festival, etc.

The North Indian village festivals are some of the most colourful and blissful festivals among all the villages in India. The people celebrate the festivals with lots of enthusiasm and cheerfulness.

East Indian Village Festivals

The villages in east India are rich in tradition and their cultural heritage. They are famous for celebrating a variety of vibrant festivals throughout the year. The East Indian village festivals are celebrated with much pomp and cheerfulness and are considered some of the greatest events to enjoy. The villagers take these festivals as a platform for social communication and also as a way to get relief from the stress of their daily life. The villages in the states of West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Assam can be clubbed into the term `East Indian villages`. There are many festivals celebrated in the villages of West Bengal round the year. People from all strata of the village society celebrate these festivals. The major East Indian village festivals include Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Jagaddhatri Puja, Holi, Poila Boishakh (Bengali New Year), Ratha Yatra, Raksha Bandhan, Kojagari Lakshmi Puja, Saraswati Puja, Christmas, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, etc. Apart from these, there are also a few other festivals celebrated by all villagers round the year. These festivals include Janmashtami, Bhai Phonta, Poush Parban, Shivaratri, Dolyatra, Akshay Tritiya, Buddha Purnima, Jamai Shasthi, Snanjatra, Jhulanyatra, Vishwakarma Puja, Annakut Utsav, Kartik Puja, Basanti Puja, Charak Puja, etc. The festivals of Bihar are counted amongst the most notable East Indian village festivals. People in the villages of Bihar celebrate various festivals that can be classified as religious or seasonal and some of them are related to harvesting. Chhath Puja is one of the major religious festivals celebrated in the East Indian villages. The villagers worship the setting sun during Chhath Puja. It is celebrated twice in a year, once in the Bengali month of Chaitra and the other is in Kartik. Sama-Chakeva is another important village festival in east India. The celebration of this festival is done in the winter season with the arrival of colourful birds from Himalayas that migrate towards the plains. Apart from these, the other major festivals celebrated in the villages of east India include Ramnavami, Makar-Sankranti (also known as Tila Sankranti), Bihula, Madhushravani, Basant Panchami, etc. The East Indian villages present a perfect blend of composite culture including the tribal cultures. Many tribal communities live in the villages of east India and they celebrate different types of festivals throughout the year. Bihu is one of the principal East Indian village festivals and is mainly celebrated in the villages of Assam. There are three forms of Bihu festival namely the Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu, the Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu and the Kati Bihu or Kongali Bihu. Various tribal communities celebrate the Bihu festival in different names like Baisagu, Baikhu, Ali- Ai -Ligang, Bohhaggio Bishu, etc. The Nara-siga Bihu, Pushy Par or Tushu Puja, etc. are some of the contemporaries of Magh Bihu. Apart from these, there are also a few other community festivals celebrated in the East Indian villages that include Rongker, Rajini Gabra, Harni Gabra, etc. Ratha Yatra is a major East Indian village festival mostly celebrated in the villages of Orissa and West Bengal. The festival is celebrated in order to commemorate the journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balaram and their sister, Shuvodra to their maternal home. Apart from Ratha Yatra, there are also a few tribal festivals celebrated in the villages of Orissa including the Chaita Parva and Bali Yatra. The East Indian village festivals are famous all over the country for their bright colours and lights. People from all over the country visit the East Indian village during the festivals to experience the villagers` wonderful style of celebration.

Jatipura Mukharvind

The Jatipura village (old Gopalpur) is located on the south western border of the Govardhan hill. The Vallabhite sectarians can be found in large number here. There are three Vallabhite temples in this village, which are known as haveh`s.

But, the famous shrine `Giriraj ka mukharvind` (meaning the lotus-face or the sun-face of Giriraj, alias Shri Nathji) or Bhogsila (meaning the food rock) are of prime importance of Jatipura village. The name of this shrine means `the rock to be fed by the devotees`. The term Mukharvind refers to a crack in the rock at its face.

Here, the god Baldev is offered only pakka (cooked) food but the only exception is acceptable during the Annakut and Makar Sankranti days on which both pakka and kacha (raw) foods are offered. During the Annakut festival, Gokulnathji is brought from Gokul to Jatipura village in a procession and placed in the temple. The Gokulnathji icon is a four-armed Visnu-Krsna, playing a flute. According to the Vallabhite tradition, the appearance of the `mukharvind` (means the blessed mouth of Shri Nathji) coincides with the arrival of the divine master Vallabhacharya in Jatipura village.

The rock deity is left bare for the morning puja as per the custom. At this time, the devotees worship it with pots and buckets of milk throwing on the naked rock as per the custom of that area. The milk which flows down is lapped up by the dogs eagerly. They somehow arrive here during this festival in Jatipura village. The idol is then covered wholly by the Krishna Gopals own attire.

At present days, the Jatipura Mukharvind is worshipped as a swarupa icon of Krishna Gopal, himself identified in Vallabhite belief with the Lord of the Govardhan hill. The Jatipura village is now regarded to be the most prestigious place for the celebration of the Govardhana puja or the Annakut festival. The village has become mainly a Vallabhite centre. On the festival day, the Vallabhite havelis (private houses) are kept open for all Hindus without distinction of caste. On that day, all can watch the huge display of food, including kacha (uncooked) food, normally protected from all impure looks and prasad (holy food) which is later distributed to all. It is a common superposition prevailing all over the Braj area.

Another festival of Jatipura village is the Annakut celebration. It is assumed to be as a kind of compromise between the archaic pattern of the festival, as celebrated by the rural population of Braj and the Vallabhite faith in their own swarupa idols. Actually the Vallabhites could do without the `Jatipura mukharvind` as they believed that Shri Govardhan nathji emerged from the hill long ago, through the power of the master Vallabhacharya, and was subsequently carried away to safety in Mewar. Hence all the Vallabhite maharajas used to celebrate the Annakut festival within their own havelis for the sake of their own adepts.

The Vallabhites believed in the presence of their ancient deity within the sacred hill and it is evident from the presence of three secondary swarupa icons at the time of the Annakut festival in Jatipura and also due to the presence of the old rock as a make believe effigy of Krishna-Gopal himself.