Kumaon's Holi Festival Commences with Unique Cheer Bandhan Ceremony
In the picturesque region of Kumaon, the vibrant festival of Holi began on Friday with the traditional ceremony of Cheer Bandhan on Rang-Bhari Ekadashi, marking a distinctive start to the celebrations that differs significantly from practices in other parts of India.
A Community Ritual Rooted in Tradition
Unlike many regions where Holi festivities commence with Holika Dahan, the Kumaon region initiates its celebrations with music, devotion and extensive community participation. The central element of this opening ritual is the 'cheer'—a decorated branch typically from the Himalayan wild cherry tree or bamboo that is adorned with colorful cloth strips contributed by every household in the village.
"Every household contributes cloth for the 'cheer', reflecting community unity," explained astrologer Ramesh Kandpal, highlighting the collective nature of this tradition.
Musical Celebrations and Spiritual Significance
With the ceremonial tying of the 'cheer', the festival of colors officially begins in Kumaon. Local residents emphasize that the heart of their Holi celebration lies in its rich musical traditions and communal spirit. The initial songs are dedicated to Lord Ganapati, invoking prosperity and well-being for the entire village.
Male performers known as holyar engage in traditional forms called Baithaki and Khadi Holi, moving from door to door accompanied by the rhythmic beats of dholak, manjira and damau instruments, creating vibrant musical clusters throughout the community.
"From Ekadashi onwards, moving from house to house with dhol and damau makes the village feel like one family," shared holyar Sagar Singh, describing the unifying power of these musical processions.
Historical Roots and Symbolic Meaning
While Holika Dahan remains central to Holi celebrations in many parts of India, Kumaon places special emphasis on Cheer Bandhan, with the 'cheer' itself symbolizing Holika. Pieces of cloth tied to the decorated branch are later placed at doorways on Holi to ward off negative energies, according to local beliefs.
Acharya Kailash Upadhyay of Bagnath Temple noted that this ritual likely dates back to the era of the Chand kings, establishing a historical connection between the festival and social harmony within the community.
Evolving Traditions and Fading Customs
Elder community members recall the now mostly faded tradition of Cheer Haran—a playful "stealing" of the 'cheer' that was once considered essential for Holi celebrations to proceed. According to this custom, if a village's 'cheer' was stolen, Holi would not be celebrated there until a new one was brought.
"This custom has mostly disappeared, replaced by a spirit of brotherhood," observed Bhagwat Singh, an 80-year-old retired teacher, noting how traditions evolve while maintaining their core values of community and celebration.
The practice of Cheer Bandhan is believed to have roots in the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh but has evolved over time into a uniquely Kumaoni tradition that continues to bring communities together through music, devotion and shared participation in this colorful festival.
