PALACE KAWARDHA

THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF DESHERA

In the days when the individual States were governed by Rajas and Ruling Chiefs the annual Festival of Deshera played an important role in the lives of the people.

This is the historical date on which the Hindu God Lord Rama defeated his Lankan adversary Ravana. Since that time Deshera has brought locals villagers from far off hamlets and the Tribal communities to see the I presence of Lord Rama in the faces of their u current Royal Family. This observation is said ON 19th October 1999 AT PALACE KAWARDHA to ensure that good prevails over evil throughout the year ahead. Incidentally glimpsing the bird the Indian Roller or Blue Jay is also considered auspicious.

The special quality about the Deshera held at Kawardha is that the descendants of Maharaja Mahabali Singh Ji the founder of Kawardha State in 1751 still organise this traditional festival full of colour ritual and ceremony themselves for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the region. A special committee has now been established to assist the Family with increasing demands for additional facilities of the ever growing onlookers. From early morning until sunset a highly colourful and ornamented people stream past the front of the Palace and mill around the usually quiet town. Musicians along with superbly energetic dancers entertain one and all gathering young and old participants alike. All eagerly await a glimpse of their Royal Family members and for the grand procession known as the Vijaya Yatra to commence.

The Vijaya Yatra led by a float carrying local Brahmin youths portraying Lords Rama Laxman & Hanuman is surrounded by excited onlookers and can be seen from the verandahs of the Palace. The cheers erupt into the evening air as Maharaja Vishwaraj Singh Ji and Yuvraj Yogeshwar Raj Singh exit the Palace to join them. Richly clad in silks brocades and armour they take their time honoured position on the second float.

At this stage our guests are sped away in vehicles to various locations to observe and participate in the proceedings. These incorporate watching as Lord Rama destroys a fifty foot effigy of Ravana by shooting a flaming arrow at him. The triumphant cries ring out and the procession moves on through the town to be met by a fireworks display. Continuing through the tiny streets the Vijaya Yatra reaches a small ancient temple where the Goddess NAVRATRI (in the form of newly sprung wheat) awaits homage from the town's special Family before being submerged in the adjacent Sakri River.

Our guests now leave the procession and weave their way back to Palace for refreshments excitement mounts once again as calls can be heard that the Yatra is approaching the Palace. Maharaja and the Yuvraj then alight from their float (both of whom can hardly be seen for the multitude of garlands they have been bedecked with) and regally mount the steps to the Durbar Hall. Maharani Shashi Prabha Devi then performs her ritual pujas with her priests paying homage to her husband and bestowing blessings on their son. This is a very special and most colourful part of the days' events.

The proceedings close with the Grand Durbar being held on the lawns in front of the Palace. Here all pay homage to your hosts and speeches are made on subjects concerning the various and collective communities of Kawardha and giving thanks to the Kawardha Family for still organising this annual event in their town. Finally symbolic gifts are given and received by all.
It is an exciting and memorable day and one that very few off-shore visitors have the opportunity of participating in at such close quarters. So if you are looking for somewhere special to have that well deserved vacation a mixture of Palaces Festivals wildlife ancient temples and Baiga & Gond Tribal folk may just cater to your needs. We await your participation in our happy ways of celebrating life in rural central India.