The term Hinduism is elastic and includes a number of sects and cults, allied but different in many important respects. The Hinduism of the district practise Hinduism which is a collection of diverse beliefs and practices ranging from polytheism to absolute monism and the identification of the Atman (individual soul) with the ultimate reality (Parmatma). It includes the worship of tutelary village and other deities in their various aspects, spirits and power of natural phenomena and cosmic forces (often conceived as personal) being in the form of Gods and (Goddesses) the Chief being Shiva and Vishnu and their respective consorts, Parvati and Lakshmi, Rama and his consort Sita, hanuman, Shakti (in her different forms), Ganga, Yamuna, Krishna, Radha and Ganesha. Other Gods and Goddesses are also worshipped as well as spirits of natural phenomena such as streams, trees, rocks, nagas (snakes), the sun, moon, rain, fire and wind Gods, etc. Thus from the crudest forms of animism to the relation of the ultimate reality, the Hindu religion touches the whole gamut of religious experience. Generally every household has a place for puja where the idols of the chosen deity are installed and worshipped. Worship in temples is not obligatory but many Hindus visit them either daily or on festivals and special occasions. At times Kathas (recitations) from the Gita, the Ramcharitmanasa and other religious texts or kirtans (collection singing of devotional song) are arranged both temples and homes. Many Hindus worship the snake on Naga Panchami (the fifth day of the bright fourth night of Sravana). The pipal (Ficus religiosa) and Bargad (Ficus bengalensis), trees are also sacred to them and they have a traditional reverence for the Tulsi Plant (Ociglmum sanctum), which is to be found in nearly every home, usually in an elevated place. The illiterate and backward sections of the community also put their faith in superstitions, taboos, with craft and magic and believe on ghosts and spirits (which are feared and propitiated). Religion (and often superstition) dominates the lives of many Hindus (particularly in the rural areas) and they believe in the suspiciousness or otherwise of a particular time or period. There are number of temples of Hanuman, Rama-Lakshman-Sita, Krishna and Shiva in the district. The famous temple of goddess Durga at Devi Patan is situated in Tulsipur. Other important temples are those of Devi Bijleshwari and Jharkhandi Shiva mandir in Balrampur proper. The main holy books of the Hindus are the Vedas, the Ramayans, the Geeta and Srimadbhagwat.The Tharus worship many Hindu gods along with pantheon of their own ancient gods. The Hindu gods and goddess, popular among the Tharus are Shankar, Parvati and Hanuman while some of the tribal gods, deities and spirit worshipped by the Tharus are Mote Baba, Katiyar Baba, Bhuinya, Nagnihai, Jwala, Nari Masan etc., Usually there is a small place of worship both inside and outside their houses. Now some of the well-to-do. Tharus have started building temples on the Hindu Pattern.
Of Muslims:-
The Muslims of the district believe, as elsewhere, that there is one God Mohammad is their prophet. The main duties enjoined by Islam on their followers are the performance of namaz or prayers, five times a day individually or collectively, preferably in a mosque keeping the roza (fasts) in the month of Ramadan (usually called Ramjan) the performance of Hajj and the giving of zakat (a portion of ones income which should be given in charity). In this district, as elsewhere, many Muslims have faith in pirs (Muslim saints) and hold urs at their tombs in commemoration of their death anniversaries. Their holy book is Kuran.
Of Sikhs:-
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion. It does not allow the practice of idolatry and recognizes no caste distinctions. No Sikh is admitted to the privileges of the community until he was received the pahul (baptism), when he adopts the five “K” “S” –the Kesh (uncut hair), the Kachah (Sort drawers), the kanghe (small tooth comb worn in the hair). The Sikhs attended congregational prayers in their Gurdwaras. Their holy book is the Granth Sahib.
Of Christians :-
The Christians believe in one God, his only son Jesus Christ and holy ghost and the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting Bible is their holy book.
Of Jains :-
Jains are closely associated with the Hindus as many social customs of both the communities are common. The Jains are the followers of the path of liberation shown by Jains (the conquerors and annihilators of Karmic forces). The Tre-ratna (three gems) right faith, right knowledge and right conduct-constitute the path of moksha (liberation). According to Jainism the universe had no beginning and will have no end and no creator is necessary to explain the existence of the cosmos. They believe in Ahimsa and worship in their temples images of their tirthankara of Jains.
Of Buddhists :-
The main aim of Buddhism is that while there is woe world the eight fold middle path of righteousness based on Satya Vishwas (right belief), Satya Vichar (right aspiration), Satya Bhashan (right speach), Satya Karma (right action), Satya Prayatama (right effort), Satya Dhyan (right recollection) and Satya Bhao (right rapture), leads to the end of sorrow and to the attainment of peace, enlightenment and nirvana.
Several amusement and festivities which are common in other parts of the state are also prevalent in this district. In village folk songs (kajri and malhar) accompanied by the harmonium a dholak (small drum) and recitation of the heroic tales of Alha and Udal provide ample pastime. Religious gatherings as a pleasant pastime in the evening, are common in which recitations from the sacred books is done, mostly by Brahmanas, to the accompaniment of musical instruments. Some festivals are occasions for gathering and general rejoicing. Some festivals are occasions for gatherings and general rejoicing. During spring people sing phags (Holi folk-songs) till late at night.
In the urban areas the most common and usual entertainment is visit to a cinema house, the town of Balrampur having three cinema houses which can accommodate about 2000 persons at a time. the next most common from of entertainment is listening to the light music programme broadcast by All India Radio. A few amuse themselves with television also. Sometimes circus also provided recreation to the people of and when, it organises its shown in the district.
Pilgrim Certres: :-
Devi Patan with the ancient temple of Goddess Durga is the most famous piligrim centre of the district where people assemble from all over country and worship the specially in the month of Chaitra during Nav-ratri.
Communal Dances :-
In this district tharus boys or a men in whom girls perform a particular type of dance and women do not participate. The boy of fifteen and sixteen is dressed as women and his partner beats a small durm suspended from his neck. The pair advances and retreats with a gliding motion, and represents with coarse fidelity the advances of the lower and the coyness of the maid. As they proceed they get excited. After two hours of the dancing and the infusion of a large amount of raw spirits they display ecstatic but somewhat ludicrous rapture through their faces and through every limb of the drummer. Every now and then the dancing gives place to a dramatic interlude, in which a dullard is made the butt of the rough and occasionally obscene wit of the leading acorn.
Various festivals are celebrated by different communities, which are closely associated with the different systems of time reckoning or calendars in vogue in different parts of the country. The Hindus of the district generally follow the Vikram Samvat (era). Its origin is traced to the semi-mythical king Vikramaditya from the date of whose coronation, it is belived to have begun. Vikram Samvat proceed the Christian era by fifty-six years.
Muslims in the district celebrate their festival according to Hijri era; but for accounting and commercial purpose, the Vikram era is followed. The Hijri era is Arabic in origin. It came into being from the 15th day of July 622 A.D. in the 42nd year of life of Prophet Muhammad to commemorate his migration (hijrat) from Mecca to Madina.
Jains generally follow Vir (nirvana) Samvatsara, which commenced in 527 B.C. from the day, on which Mahavir the last of the twenty-four tirthankars, attained nirvana.
Cristians in the district follow the Gregorian calendar, which is generally followed in the country for all practical purposes.
Festivals, as they are celebrated in the country, symbolise people’s cultural, social and religious aspirartions, which, besides helping them to lead a fulles better life, also mitigate its monotony by providing physical diversion and mental recreation, though principally associated with religion, there are a number of occasions wherein social aspect assumes prominence. Festivals may be describe as special days, period of time and season, which are so arranged as to ensure both individual and communal rejoicing by practicing religion coupled with religious occasion or agricultural operations, the main occupation of the people.
HINDUS :-
The series of Hindu festivals starts with Sheetla Astami, which falls on the 8th day of the first fortnight of Chaitra, the first month of the Hindu calendar, when Goddess Sheetla is worshipped.
Rama Navami is celebrated on the nine day of the bright half of Chaitra, which is observed as the birthday of Lord Ram. Devotees fast on this day. The temples of Ram where recitations from Ramayana are a common feature are beautifully decorated and illuminated at night.
Naga Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of the bright half of Sravana when the Nagas (serpent Gods) are propitiated. Officering of milk, flowers and rice are made to nagas. It is also celebrated as a rainy season festival, women and girls sing kajarris (folk-songs) during these days. The recreation of swinging in the air is customary particularly on this occasion.
Raksha-Bandhan falls on the full moon day of Sravana. On this day the sister ties a raksha-bandhan or rakhi (protective thread or cord) round the right wrist of her brother, as a token of protection she expects to receive from him.
Janamastami, the festival celebrating the birth Lord Krishna, fall on the eighth day of the dark-half of Bhadra. The devotees fast the whole day, breaking their fast with the eating of prasad (food offered to an idol) at midnight. Temples and small shrines in homes are specially decorated and jhankies (glimpses) are arranged depicting various phases of Krishna’s life. Singing of devotional songs in praise of Krishna is special feature of the festival. The chhati (sixth day ceremony after birth) of the deity is also celebrated by some persons.
Kajri-teej is primarily a festival of the women folk. Women wear colourful clothes, sing kajri (folk-song) and pray. Worship of Mahadewa on the occasion by married ladies in considered to be specially rewarding. Big fairs are held at Rajapur Bharia in tahsil Balrampur, Utraulla municipality Nayanagar, Barhya farid Khan and Karauhan (in tahsil Utraula).
Dasahra is celebrated on the tenth day of the bright half of Asvina to commemorate the victory of Lard Ram over Ravana. Ramlila celebration are held at different places in the district. Big fairs are held at Balrampur and Utraula tahsil.
The fourth day of the bright half of Kartika is know as Karva Chauth, when married women fast until the moon is visible when they worship, for the well being and long life of their husbands.
Divali or Dipavali, the festival is lights is another major festival of Hindus. This festival is celebrated on the last day of the dark-half of kartika. Festivities start two days earlier with Dhanteras, the birthday of Dhanvantari (the divine physician) when metal utensils are purchased as a token of prosperity. The next day on Narak-Chaudas (Choti Divali), a small earthen lamp (diya) is its by many near the drain of the courtyard. On the main day of the festival every home and shop of Hindus illuminated and the Goddess Lakshmi along with Ganesha is worshipped at night usually at the scheduled time when cracker and fireworks are freely used, in every home according to ones standard and capacity. For the traders and businessmen Divali marks the end of the physical year and they pray for prosperity in the New Year, there is no fasting on this occasion as Divali is regarded as festival of feasting. The day has a special significance for Jains who also celebrate if because their twenty-fourth tirthankara, Mahavir attained nirvan on this day. On the following day Govardhan Puja (Annkoot) is performed. With cow-dung, a replica, of Goverdhana Parvat is made and worshipped. On the third of bright-half of kartika, Bhaiya Dooj is celebrated when women put mark (tika) on the forehead) of their brothers.
Kartika Purnima is a bathing festival, falls on the full-moon day of Kartika, when people take a bath in the Ghaghara, Big fairs are held at Balrampur and Chitaurgarh (in tahsil Balrampur). Pakri Bhuwar, Narainpur, Gaindasbujurg (in tahsil Utraula).
Makar Sankranti is a festival which is a celebrated every year on the 13th or 14th of January, The food of many in the morning consists of Khichri (rice mixed with pulse). Presents of khichri, ghee, salt etc. are given to the Brahmana. A fair is held on occasion at Gurgaon in tahsil Utraula.
Vasant panchami, which falls on the 5th day of the latter fortnight of Magha, is devoted to the worship of Saraswati, the Goddess of learning.
Shivratri is celebrated in honour of Shiva and falls on thirteenth day of Phalguna. A fast is observed during the day and a vigil is kept at night when the God is worshipped. The temples of Shiva are specially decorated and the devotees offer water, flowers and rise and Vilvapatra (the leaf of the Vel) to the icon and devotional songs in praise of Shiva are sung throughout the day. Big fairs are held at Jharkhandi Mandir (in tahsil Balrampur) Tejpur, Allipur and Datulapur (in tahsil Utraula).
Holi, the festival of spring, falls the last day of Phalguna; People start singing phaags (song of holi) long before the actual day of the festival. Big open air fires are lit a day before on the important cross-roads of every town and village of the district to celebrate the annihilation of the forces of evil. Ears of newly harvested barley are roasted as offering to Gods. Common rejoicing marks the following day of the festival when, till about noon, people throw coloured water and powder on each others and in the evening visit relations and friends, and exchange greetings with an embrace. This festival is taking the shape of the national festival and is celebrated by people of all religion.
Fairs :- There are many big fairs, which are held in the district, the important once being Devi Patan. The fair at Devi Patan in Tulsipur, tahsil Tulsipur is held from the 1st to the 15th of the bright-half Chaitra. The devotees throng the temple of the Goddess (Durga), worship her and make offerings which at times include sacrifice of pigs at the alter of the deity. A brisk trade also takes place during the period when wood, spices carpets, cloth utensils and agricultural implements are sold in the fair which attracts nearly 100000 people.
Muslims:-
Barawafat, the birthday of the prophet Muhammed, is celebrated on the twelfth day of Rabi-ul-awwal. On this occasion alms are distributed and people gather to listen discourses (Milad Sharif) on the life of prophet.
Sab-e-Barat is celebrated on the night of the fourteenth day of Shaban when prayers(fatehas) are offered by people for the peace of the souls of their departed kins. Display of fireworks and distribution of sweets mark the festival.
Id-ul-Fitr falls on the first day of the month of Shawal when thanks giving prayers are offered by Muslims in mosques for the successful completion of the fasts of the previous month Ramajan. On this day the entire Muslim male population repairs either to the idgah or a mosque for attending congregational prayers. People wear new clothes on the occasion, embrace each other and exchange greetings. There are also rejoicing and feasting in every home; particular care being taken to prepare sewains (a sweet dish of noodles).
Id-uz-Zuha (or Bakra-Id) falls on the tenth day of the month of Zilhijja to commemorate the occasion when prophet Ibrahim submitted himself to the will of God. Men attend morning prayers in Idgahs or Mosques and on return sacrifice, sheep and goats in God’s name either individually or collectively and distribute a part of the meat among relations, friends and the needy.
Giarhween Sharif is a festival of specific significance for the Sunnis of the district. It is observed on the eleventh day of the month of Rabi-us-sani in honour of Abdul Quadir Jilani, an early Muslim Divine of Baghdad , acclaimed as descendant of the prophet Muhammed. Prayers, sweets and flowers are offered in his memory on this occassion.
Muharram is observed by mourning on the first ten days of the month of the same name that commemorate the tragedy of Karbala which witnesses the martyrdom of Imam hussain (the grandson of the prophet Mohammad) and his companions, though this occasion has special significance for the Shias, the Sunnis of the district also take part in some of the observances. The imambaras (building for the performance of religious cremonies) illuminated on the eighth and ninth day of the month where majlises are also held from the first to the ninth day. Tazias (replicas of the tombs of Imam Hussain and Hasan, generally made of coloured paper and bamboo) are taken out in procession separately by Shias and Sunnis on Ashra, the tenth day.
Chelhum falls on the 40th day from Ashra. It marks the end of the period of mourning.
Besides theses traditional and orthodox festivals, urs celebrations are held at the tombs of pirs(Muslim saints)
Sikh:-
Three important festival of the Sikhs are the birthdays of their gurus, Nanak Deo, Tegh Bahadur and Govind Singh when processions are taken out and congregational prayers held in Gurdwaras. Portions from the Granth are recited. The Baisakhi is another festival celebrated by them. Local fairs are held at gurdwaras on each occasion. Lohri is another festival of Sikhs celebrated with gush on the eve of Makar Sankranti. On every festival langar(alms given to the gathering)are special features in the Gurudwaras.
Jains:-
The jains of the district celebrates the birth and nirvana anniversaries of Parshvanath and Mahavir, their twenty-third and twenty-fourth tirthankaras respectively. Paryushan, the last ten days of Bhadra, and Asthanika falling on the last eight days of Kartika are the other important festivals of the jains.
Christian:-
The main festival of the Christians are Christmas, the birthday of Jesus Christ which falls on 25th of December, Good Friday (in March or April), the day of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and Easter (which falls on Sunday in March or April),the day of his resurrection. People attend services in churches and exchange greetings and presents. On Christmas eve scenes from the nativity of Christ are enacted and cribes are set up in the churches.
Public Games and Recreation:-
Traditional games of the district are somewhere same as of the other parts of the state. These are kabaddi, gulli-danda (Indian games) and kite flying etc. Among modern game foot-ball, volley-ball, hockey, cricket and table-tennis are played. Among modern indoor games particularly in urban areas carrom, chess, luda and games of cards are popular. Newspaper reading is also a popular pastime with the masses in the district.
