Banda in Uttar Pradesh is currently celebrating one of Bundelkhand’s most famous forts—the Kalinjar fort—built by the Chandela kings who ruled the region between the 9th and 13th centuries. 

The celebrations between February 22 and 24 are an attempt to not just underscore the religious importance of the fort which houses a Shiv temple, but also an attempt to help see the fort in new light as a tourist destination. Thus, hot air balloon rides, spreads of local cuisine, performances of local Bundeli songs and dances, sporting competitions and an exhibition of the state’s flagship ‘One District, One Product’ (ODOP) scheme are part of the celebrations. In addition, 10 art galleries of indigenous art forms are also part of the festivities. One of the most well-attended shows of the celebration has been the performances of Charkula dance where women balance multi-layered wooden pyramids on their head with 108 lit earthen lamps and sing praises of Lord Krishna. 

Banda’s District Magistrate Heera Lal said the celebrations were part of his efforts to revamp Banda’s image. “There is a constant need to connect people with their heritage—be it traditional water resources or places of historical importance. That is the only way to save and protect them.” 

The DM has also connected the celebrations to one of his pet projects—the giving away of saplings to visitors. This emphasis on planting trees has been a recurrent theme in the DM’s tenure with saplings even replacing traditional return gifts in weddings and parties. 

In mythology, the Kalainjar fort, mentioned in the Vedas and the Puranas, is closely associated with Shiva who came to it after drinking the poison that emerged from the churning of the oceans by the gods and the demons. The Shiva temple within the fort draws its origin from this journey of Shiva. The name of the fort, too, is symbolic of Shiva’s power to tide over time. ‘Kaal’ means time and ‘jar’ means destruction in Sanskrit. The temple thus recognises Shiv as superior to time and a destroyer of it. 

Pubblication Link:https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/02/23/ups-banda-celebrates-ancient-fort-to-draw-tourists.html