Uttarakhand’s Dev Bhumi, Siry Village cherishes its rich culture and tradition, where every stone is believed to be a manifestation of the divine. Today, we are exploring the northern gateway, the Gazana and Ramoli regions, where Lord Jagannath is worshiped in a unique form.
On the designated day, the entire region’s cattle herders churn milk, curd, butter, and ghee for two days straight. Following a grueling 4-kilometer trek, they gather at a place known as Hod to perform archana (ritual offering) to Lord Jagannath. During these two days, not a single drop of milk is stored in the villagers’ homes.
The first ritual involves bathing the idol of Lord Jagannath with milk, followed by offering a special semolina halwa (sweet dish) and kheer (rice pudding) made with milk. Behind this tradition lies the belief that Lord Krishna appeared in this region during the Dvapar Yuga in the form of the serpent king, Sesa Nag. Since then, he has been revered as the deity of the region, and this grand offering is a way of expressing gratitude.
If this tradition is delayed on the scheduled date, villagers believe that Lord Jagannath manifests himself as a tiger in the jungle, causing harm to the cattle. Consequently, after this day, cattle herders return to their villages for the next six months, leaving the jungle.
This unique tradition showcases the deep cultural and mythological ties of Uttarakhand, where faith and devotion continue to thrive through generations.
