The famous Baba Sodhal fair is on 17 September in Jalandhar. In view of this, a government holiday has been declared. Government offices, schools, colleges and other government institutions will remain closed on this day.
Let us tell you that lakhs of devotees from the country and abroad reach the Baba Sodhal fair and bow down before Baba ji. The fair is celebrated for 3 consecutive days. Crowds of people can be seen on the first day of the fair.
People come from far and wide to see Baba ji. The district administration, municipal corporation, police, traffic department and health department etc. will remain alert during the Baba Sodhal fair.
These instructions were given to the shopkeepers
- No plastic carry bags should be used during the fair.
- No plastic and thermocol cutlery should be used for langar etc.
- Paper plates and other cutlery covered with plastic film should not be used.
- There should be no plastic wrappers on sweet boxes etc.
- Plastic bottles, cups etc. should not be used for water
- Flex, banners etc. made of plastic should not be put up.
- Bouquets etc. should not be covered with plastic and banned clothes etc.
Use these things
- Steel utensils should be used for langar etc.
- Crockery made of leaf plate and dune etc. should be used at langars
- Cloth bags, jute bags and paper bags should be used
- Steel glasses should be used for Chhabil etc.
- Provision should be made to keep wet and dry garbage separately during the fair.
Know what is the tradition?
Baba Sodhal Mela is organized every year on the 14th day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadon in Jalandhar city. It has a prominent place in the list of fairs of Punjab. The fair is organized to pay tribute to the great soul of Baba Sodhal. Lakhs of devotees from all over the country come to this fair to have darshan of Sodhal Baba. Sodhal temple has the famous historical Sodhal Sarovar where a huge statue of Sodhal Baba has been installed.
Devotees sprinkle the water of this holy lake on themselves and drink it like Charanamrit. On this day, lakhs of devotees from India and abroad come to visit Baba Sodhal. The crowd of devotees that starts 2-3 days before the fair continues for 2-3 days even after the fair.
How is worship done according to tradition
Baba Sodhal was born in the Chadha family in Jalandhar city. Many stories are associated with Sodhal Baba. It is said that when Sodhal Baba was very young, he went to a pond with his mother. Mother was busy washing clothes and Baba Ji was playing nearby. Mother rebuked Baba many times for coming close to the pond and also got angry.
When Baba Ji did not listen, mother cursed him in anger and said go and drown. Mother's love was hidden behind this anger. Baba Sodhal jumped into the pond as per mother's instructions. Mother started lamenting when she saw her son jumping into the pond. After some time Babaji appeared in the form of the holy serpent deity.