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A Spiritual Forgiveness Ritual for Wrongdoing
Arunachal Pradesh has a unique take on the annual pan-India festivities of Makar Sankranti which marks the first day when the Sun transits to Capricorn, heralding the end of a long hard winter.
The Parshuram Kund Festival, being held at from 12th to 16th January 2024 near Tezu in Arunachal Pradesh, coincides with the auspicious time of the Makar Sankranti Mela. It will be officially inaugurated by Dy CM Chowna Mein.
The site of the sacred Parshuram Kund lies along the Arunachal-Assam border at Tеlu Shati/Tailung on the Mishmi Plateau. It is 15km from Wakhro, the nearest town, which offers homestay accommodation. The Parshuram Kund Festival is a huge draw for those of the Hindu faith who have for centuries worshipped at this hallowed spot by the Lohit River. The festival venue can easily be approached from the district headquarters of Lohit, Tezu, which is just 20km downstream. The festival holds great importance as the “Kumbh Mela of the North East”, as it attracts lakhs of pilgrims from all over the region.
The Parshuram Kund holds great significance for the festivities as this sacred pond is directly linked to the legend of Parshuram, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Parshuram has forever been linked to the terrible act of matricide, which drove him to roam the four corners of India, for 21 generations, to find a solution to assuage his guilt of this heinous crime.
As ascertained from a narration from the ancient Hindu Srimad Bhagavad, the provocation for Parshuram to commit this shameful crime, of killing his mother Renuka, came from none other than his father, the Sage Jamadagni. The reason for the uncontrollable rage of the sage against Renuka came from the fact that while returning from a bath in Ganga she was distracted by the sight of the Gandharva King Chitraratha cavorting with some celestial nymphs. So caught up was she with this that she forgot to go back home right away as she normally would have.
Furious with Renuka, who was already late for puja at the ashram, he ordered his sons, who were present, to kill their mother. Shocked into silence by the outrageous order from their father they stood rooted to the ground. Only Parshuram, a dutiful boy who had deep faith in his father, had the guts to carry out his horrific wish. Parshuram also slaughtered his other brothers with his axe for not obeying their father.
So reprehensible was Parshuram’s deed, even the axe with which he had killed them all, got stuck to his hand, no matter how hard he tried to get rid of it.
Pleased with his son for carrying out this viscous deed on his command Sage Jamadagni granted Parshuram six boons. The sorrowing boy begged for his mother to return alive, but that did not wipe out his unpardonable sin. Unable to console him Sage Jamadagni advised Parshuram to go on a pilgrimage to assuage his guilt.
Parshuram’s many wanderings and interfaces with sundry sages did not help release the handle of the axe from his hand. He was finally guided to a sacred kund in the remote jungles of Arunachal. Taking a ritual dip of purification in the holy waters of the kund to atone for his great crime Parshuram was amazed to discover that the handle of the axe miraculously flew out of his hand. In so doing, the axe split the nearby mountain in two, from which, legend has it, sprang the Lohit River.
Giving thanks to the deities, Parshuram was finally at peace with himself for being forgiven his deed of matricide.
The spot, now known as Parushram Kund, according to the Kalika Puran, is a miracle-creating pond, and anyone bathing in it is cleansed of all sins. The kund is a major pilgrimage point for Hindus who take the ritual purification dip. In January it becomes particularly crowded during Makar Sankranti, held between the 14th and 15th of the month.
The big-ticket program is, of course, the ritual of the purification dip in the sacred kund. A host of devotional activities have also been arranged for the pilgrims during the festivities.
Tezu organizes a big cultural and shopping extravaganza for the three weeks during the festival period. The pop-up mela market showcases local handicrafts and cuisine from the region.
Excursions
The area around the sacred kund offers great opportunities to explore the beautiful trekking trails. A popular one is the one to Glow Lake. You can also enjoy angling on the Lohit River.
The Information
A Quick Glance
Permits Devotees can avail of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in advance online to avoid the last-minute rush. Log on to parshuramkund.arunachal.gov.in, for online registration and Inner Line Permit (ILP).
Permits are also issued on the spot at Dirak Check Post and Sunpura Check Post if you are travelling from Dibrugarh-Tinsukia via Rupai near Doomdooma; you can also avail of this service if you follow the route through Sadiya, crossing the Bhupen Hazarika Bridge via Sunpura to Tezu.
Priority will be given to effective management of ailing and elderly pilgrims, as well as ensuring round-the-clock upkeep of washrooms, waiting sheds, and other public spaces at the festival site.
ACCOMMODATION
The Parshuram Kund pilgrimage site has been constructed under the PRASAD scheme. Accommodation options near Parshuram Kund include government rest houses, guesthouses, and local lodges in nearby towns such as Namsai. Temporary accommodations and tents are also set up to cater to pilgrims. In Namsai there’s the Circuit House and the Tourist Lodge & Cottage, Tengapani; in
Chongkham there’s the Vidhyapeeth Guest House and in Tezu there’s the Circuit House, Oshin Hotel, Shivam Hotel, and Taboka Hotel. Homestay options are Ninashi Homestay, Lohit Homestay and Krisikro Homestay at Wakro and Azi Homestay at Medo (Wakro Circle).
ACCESS
Air: Dibrugarh (200 km) in Mohanbari in Assam is the nearest airport.
Rail: The nearest railway stations are Tinsukia (150km/4hrs) and Dibrugarh in Assam. Onward journey by taxi or bus.
Road: Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Corporation provides special bus services for the convenience of the pilgrims.
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