Flashing swords, glinting spears, threatening axes and masterful flourishes of warfare—beyond the silky satin flags and soft flowers, the advent of Ram Navami is also apparent in the numerous Akhaaras (traditional gyms) around the capital.
Thousands of youths are religiously spending time in these arenas to practice and perfect manoeuvres with their preferred weapon. Choices range from shiny steel swords to spears, khukris, knives, pharsa (axes), gupti (rapier) and even the lathi (stick).
Wielding these weapons, they display their martial arts and weaponry skills in preparation for the numerous ‘Astrachalan Pratiyogitas” held all over the city, culminating in the grand finale—the Ramnavami processions from their areas.
“The city has an 85-year history of celebrating Ram Navami with martial demonstrations; it was first started by one Krishna lal Sahu. It symbolises Ram’s exemplary prowess in handling the divine weapons made in sage Agastya’s Agnishaala and also man-made weapons,” said S.N. Jha, head of an akhaara at the Panchmukhi Hanuman temple in Ratu.
A veteran weapon-master for over 35 years, Jha’s protégés have participated and won a number of these contests. “We have to perfect every existing manoeuvre and also add new ones every year, for variety and to be ‘different’ from others,” he says.
“Our experts train youth to wield various weapons with finesse and dexterity. But we only function for a fortnight from the first Tuesday after Holi and stop the day after Ram Navami. Many non-regulars also come here to rehearse for the Ram Navami processions,” says Ramdhan of Mahavir Akhara near Kutchery.
The moves are practised to the thumping beats of huge drums called Nagaras and Tashas—traditionally used to herald the arrival of an army for war.
The warriors are a motley crew of labourers, repairmen, clerks, students and rural youth, who have to follow a rigorous schedule during the fortnight before the festival. Most come around 6.30 pm or so after their day’s work and go through a strict regimen of warm-up exercises, individual motions of attack and defence and finally a mock fight. Here everyone stands in a circle and takes turns to jump into the middle and “fight” a dozen imaginary enemies with unique moves having names like guhar, special, do balua, do dhai ghar, do talwar and harshingar.
Every couple of seconds the crowd would jump back to avoid being hit by the flailing swords or thrusting spears. It might be a pretend-fight, but they'd still do fighters an injury—they're proper metal and heavy!
Saffron flag in one hand and lethal weapons on the other they look like dedicated soldiers defending their ancestors’ turf, as they expertly thrust and parry, feint and fox their competitors. This year, for the first time, a ‘Nari Sena’ is also taking part.
Despite sessions ending at 11 pm every day, these warriors—young and old—are undaunted and welcome the exercise. “It fills me with courage and inner strength,” said Santosh Mahali, 40, an electrician who practices at the Bali Bagicha Akhara.
“It is my personal offering to lord Hanuman. Also I get to learn not just warfare, but also traditions from seniors,” added Bhuneshwar Sah, 32, a clerk in a private bank.
The urge to display martial prowess has sent a large number of people to hardware shops and make-shift stalls in areas like Shaheed Chowk, Chutia, Jagannathpur, Hinoo, Hindpiri, etc to purchase sharp-edged traditional weapons.
“I have sold over 2000 lathis and some 350 weapons in one day, mostly to youths. Ram Navami is a good business opportunity,” said Suresh Kumar, a weapon-seller near Shaheed Chowk. Owners of hardware shops too are getting brisk sales.
“Normally, people ask for shovels, spades, buckets and gardening tools, but around Ram Navami, everyone wants sharp-edged weapons,” said Nakul Surin, who runs a hardware shop near Kutchery. Buyers range from budding warriors to the peaceful worshippers of weapons on Ramnavami.
“I cannot imagine this festival without huge processions, red-yellow flags, and a new axe in my hands,” said Chhottan Mehta, a shop assistant, summing up the mood of the moment.