Hatti Tribes Celebrate Boda Tyohar in Trans-Giri

The Boda Tyohar festival, also known as Magho ko Tyohar, is the largest annual celebration for the Hatti tribes of Himachal Pradesh’s Trans-Giri region. Celebrated by over three lakh members of the Hatti community, this month-long festival marks the end of the ‘Magha’ month and is characterized by unique cultural practices, rituals, and a strong sense of community unity. With a deep-rooted tradition, Boda Tyohar holds immense cultural significance and is a vibrant showcase of Hatti customs and beliefs.

Key Points of the Boda Tyohar Festival

Festival Duration

• The festival lasts for a month, beginning on Posh Dwadashi and concluding at the end of the ‘Magha’ month.
• It is celebrated by the Hatti tribes residing in the Trans-Giri region.

Distinct Phases of the Festival

Bodhto (First Day)

• The community prepares traditional dishes such as Pude, Bedoli, Patanday, Dhroti, and Gudoli.
• These dishes are offered to deities as part of the sacred rituals.

Bhatioj (Second Day)

• The festivities begin at the communal courtyard known as ‘Sanjha Angan’, traditionally owned by the village head (‘Siyana’).
• Temples of ‘Kul Devtas’ like Shirgul Maharaj, Bijat Maharaj, Mahasu Maharaj, and Thari Devi are visited.
• Villagers gather for a communal meal and engage in singing and dancing into the early hours.
• Women play a central role in the cultural activities, symbolizing their importance in Hatti society.

Saje Ka Duna

• The next day, men visit their married sisters with gifts of meat, jaggery, and wheat flour.
• Married women participate in the community’s festivities, joining the Geet, a musical celebration with newly composed songs by Hatti composers.

Khoda Festival (Eighth Day)

• The Khoda festival marks a high point of the celebrations, where a grand feast is hosted for friends and family.
• The Boidoot celebrations follow, continuing until the conclusion of the Magha month.

Communal Dining

• A central tradition during Boda Tyohar is communal dining, where every household invites relatives and other family members for a shared meal at least once during the month.
• This practice fosters unity and reinforces the bond within the Hatti community.

Cultural Importance

• The festival is a reflection of the Hatti community’s deep-rooted customs, with special emphasis on communal participation, ritualistic worship, music, dance, and feasting.
• It promotes cultural continuity while strengthening the social fabric of the Hatti people.