By Prajwal Godse 11/02/2024

 

During my fieldwork to find connections who would allow me to join their Barash pooja—the Warli and Kokna tribes’ unique celebration of Diwali—I experienced a remarkable encounter.

For context, while Hindus around the world celebrate Diwali with lamps and fireworks, the indigenous tribes of Dadra and Nagar Haveli observe Barash. This festival involves worshipping nature and connecting deeply with their deities in the jungle. Pilgrims from nearby villages gather at the foot of a sacred mountain, carrying bundles of freshly cut paddy grains. At midnight, led by the sound of the tarpa, they ascend the mountain to perform rituals at dawn, asking for the well-being of their community. Barash is a vivid illustration of the rich cultural heritage these tribes represent.

I was determined to document this dying tradition to showcase its spiritual significance. My plan was to connect with locals at a temple in Dudhni, hoping they would permit me to join their Barash pooja. Before heading there, we stopped at Khanvel, another pilgrimage spot where people perform rituals to Veer Dev.

At Khanvel, I noticed a group of pilgrims who had just completed their rituals. I approached them, shared details about my project, and expressed my interest in documenting their Barash pooja. They were from a village about five hours away from Silvassa. While they were welcoming, traveling to a remote village with complete strangers posed practical concerns. One of them suggested that I might find local participants in Dudhni.

Continuing to Dudhni, just as we were nearing the temple, we saw a group of pilgrims getting into their car. Seizing the opportunity, I approached them and inquired if they were participating in the Barash pooja. I introduced myself, explained my project, and expressed why I wanted to document the festival.

The two individuals I spoke with were Pravin and Dharmesh. They listened attentively and seemed intrigued by my interest in their traditions. After some discussion, they agreed to let me accompany them to document both the Veer Dev pooja the day before Barash and the Barash pooja itself.

This chance meeting was pivotal for my project. Pravin and Dharmesh not only provided access to the ceremonies but also offered invaluable insights into their cultural practices. Their openness allowed me to capture authentic moments and deepen my understanding of the significance of Barash.

 

This experience reinforced the importance of respectful engagement and genuine interest when connecting with indigenous communities. By being transparent about my intentions and demonstrating sincere appreciation for their traditions, I was able to build trust and establish meaningful connections that enriched my project.

Pilgrims begin ascending the mountain at night, their torches creating glowing light blobs in the darkness.

Pilgrims gathered atop the sacred mountain, performing small rituals as they await the Barash ceremonies at dawn.

We see the sacred mountain now during the daytime as I walk down after the Barash Pooja

In the distance, the indigenous tribes are performing more Barash rituals later in the day