Jagar: Uttarakhand's Ancient Night Ritual of Divine Awakening

• Jagar is an ancient folk-religious tradition from Uttarakhand, India, focused on "awakening" or invoking deities and folk deities.
• This centuries-old tradition, rooted in Shaiva, Shakta, and folk beliefs, primarily honors local deities like Golu Devta and Nanda Devi, who symbolize justice, protection, and welfare.
• Jagar ceremonies are typically held at night, lasting for hours, where a "Jagariya" sings and a "Dangariya" or "Pashwa" is believed to be possessed by the deity to offer guidance and solutions.
• Devotees perform Jagar to seek solutions for problems like illness, family disputes, or natural calamities, believing it pleases deities and brings guidance.
• Beyond its religious aspect, Jagar serves as a vital medium for social unity, preserving folk music, dance, and language, and connecting new generations to their cultural roots.

Why It Matters: Jagar exemplifies how ancient traditions sustain culture, community, and faith.