Ma Chandi for India is what can be termed as the angry avatar of Ma Durga, and she holds a special place for the people of Meerut. The place is home to a popular confluence of faiths called the NauChandi Mela where people on one hand experience religious harmony and on the other, they bask in the glory of Ma Chandi.
The Nau Chandi Mela is a place which is living example of Hindu Muslim unity. On one hand in the Chandi temple there are prayers, incense sticks and religious songs or bhajans being sung, while on the other there is a miniature mausoleum where qawwalli is sung.
People not only enjoy the time spent here, but they are also of the view getting a feel of both Hindu and Muslim faith is an experience by itself. With the fair flooded with lights, every one turns up to be part of it.
The event has been on for several years and people from across the country visit the place to be part of Islam as well Devi Chandi.
Nan Khatai, Halwa Paratha, Barf ka gola, Kulfi, Bhel Puri and other delicacies are available.
Courtesy Flickr
Nauchandi’s fair has its roots in ancient times and till now it is being organized. People of all religions whether they are Hindu’s or Muslim’s every one is part of the fair each year.
The fair reportedly started in 1672 AD as a one day affair mainly for cattle traders but has undergone many changes over time.
Cattle trading has been replaced by a multitude of activities-religious rituals, commercial activity, artistic creativity and rustic merriment.
Many might question when and how the temple and the dargah came into existence, the fact is it does have a past. As per a belief Mandodari, Ravan’s wife was born in a devil’s house in Meerut. She being a devotee of Chandi she erected the temple.
Meanwhile the legend of the dargah goes, Syed Salar Masood Ghazi was a commander of Mahmood of Ghazni who invaded India in 1017 AD and proved his bravado against the local king.
During the course of a battle, he lost one of his fingers. Syed Salar subsequently denounced violence, became an ascetic, and took the name Bala Mian. The dargah reportedly was built in his name in1194 by Qutub – ud – din- Aibak.
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