Divine Traditions and Cultural Continuity: Exploring Garhwali Heritage through the Surkanda Dev Doli Darbar and the Spiritual Leadership of Ajay Bijalwan in Postcolonial Uttarakhand

Abstract

Situated within the serene landscape of the Himalayas, Uttarakhand’s sacred environment epitomizes tradition, community, and cultural identity. Among its spiritual representations, the Surkanda Dev Doli Darbar in Dhalwala, Rishikesh serves as a prominent symbol of devotion, faith, and indigenous heritage. This research investigates the profound connection between religious belief and the intricate fabric of Garhwali cultural practices, with a particular focus on rituals that foster collective harmony. At the heart of this spiritual tradition is Ajay Bijalwan, the esteemed upasak of Goddess Surkanda Mata, whose divine guidance facilitates spiritual healing and preserves cultural identity in the context of accelerated globalization. The Garhwali ethos is sustained through rituals such as Doli Pratha, Nuora Pratha, Jagar, and Dhol Sagar, each illustrating unity and devotion. The Pangat Feast, meticulously prepared by the Sarola Brahmin community, exemplifies purity and equality, reinforcing familial connections through satvik nourishment that promotes both physical and mental well-being. Furthermore, Nuora Pratha symbolizes divine incarnation, wherein deities inhabit sacred Dolis to provide counsel to devotees, an observation vividly exemplified in the Surkanda Dev Doli Darbar under the spiritual leadership of Bijalwan. Devotional music, including Shiv Charan Naudiyal’s “Maa Surkanda Doli Jatra” and Nitesh Bhandari’s “Surkanda Mera Manki Jaani,” celebrates the compassion of Goddess Surkanda while rejuvenating Garhwali identity in the postcolonial era. Through these enduring traditions and the unwavering dedication of Ajay Bijalwan, Uttarakhand’s spiritual and cultural heritage continues to illuminate themes of faith and unity, thereby affirming its sanctity as Devbhomi, the land of gods.