by the eminent villagers during a long
performance on the longest day of the
festival
When a pair of elders recited the story of
origin of universe in powerful lyrical voices
Each recited a few stanzas alternatively
So, the soul-touching recital was
uninterrupted
This unaided tradition of recital confirmed
the age could not dwindle the well-
lubricated memory
The festivities ended around 05:00 am on
the next dayThat night festival in Lata
Where audience did not know anything
about the performances
Everyone advised me to check with older
and the oldest of the residents
Or, neither wanted to share the stories
A few knowledgeable explained the
performances in local language
The language that I did not know
So, communications and meanings were
lost
I remained ignorant of ritual nuancesThat night festival in Lata
Where an Uttarakhandi thought I was a
foreigner
He was disappointed knowing the truthI am a fellow Indian
Once more I realized being Indian was so
unattractive or unappealing to Indians
themselves
Disappointment was so much that he never
tried to strike another conversation with
the fellow IndianIn that night festival in Lata
The villagers
Picked an auspicious date April 18 for
sending Nanda Devi to her husband’s
house at the top of Lata
Stopped all the festivities two days before
the last day, the farewell day of the deity
That pair of days received lots of
continuous rain
Scheduled all farewell festivities in
afternoon and night like other daysSo, the deity’s farewell and my planned
departure at noon on the same day
prevented me from participating in
the closing ceremonies and witnessing
phurcheli.That night festival in Lata is still a mystery
for me.theoff.info
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