Click to play videoRajouri: In the border district of Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir, a week before, the festival of Holi is marked by the 'Bhairon' procession with — a man coloured in black walking down the streets of the town, hitting people with a pair of tongs which is considered auspicious by the people of the district.
A week before holi, Shyam Lal, a telecom employee in the border district of Rajouri, takes 20 days off to lead the procession of Bhairon. Lal is painted all black and with a red tongue, the Bhairon walks the streets and dances to drum beats.
Lal also known as Bhairon speaks about the procession, "I have been doing this for 16-17 years. When I was a kid I used to be scared of Bhairon, but now I am a part of it."
The ritual is over 100-years-old, and the locals believe the ritual wards off evil in the area. And if Bhairon hits anyone with his tongue, the locals regard that as auspicious.
President Sanathan Dharam Rajouri, Yugveer Gupta says, "The tong is a blessing, as people believe it gives them good health and keeps them safe. So that is why every one struggles to get hit by the tongs."
Over the years, the ritual has also become so popular that it draws in both the Hindus as well as Muslims in this violence-hit belt.
"There are no restrictions in this tradition and all Hindus and Muslims are a part of it. Earlier the kids used to be scared, but over the years everyone has become familiar with it," says a student Neetu Sharma.
The people of the district know that soon after this dark shadow moves down the streets, it'll be time for the colours of Holi to spread joy.
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