India is an amalgamation of various cultures, traditions, customs and practices. Many ancient traditions are still practised in various regions of India. One such tradition is Hardaul Akhara which has been kept alive in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, where after the death of the Guru, his disciples follow the Bundeli tradition of demonstrating their swordsmanship or wrestling skills in front of the dead body. A similar incident was reported in Bajaria Ward No 2 of Damoh, Madhya Pradesh.
After a prolonged illness, renowned wrestler Mahant Pandit Ramchandra Pathak aged 84, a resident of Bajaria, Damoh, passed away. He was the Ustaad of Hardaul Akhara and hence, as a part of tradition, his disciples of the Akhara paid him a tribute by showcasing their sword, axe and chakra art in front of their Guru’s mortal remains. The onlookers were moved by how the disciples paid their last respects to their Guru.
The disciples performed this art in front of the pyre, which is their way of bidding farewell to their Guru at the cremation site. This tradition is a unique custom of the Bundelkhand, Madhya Pradesh. Narendra Dubey, who was a part of the funeral procession expressed his feelings about the age-old customs between Guru and disciples.
As per Narendra Dubey, the tradition is unique. The final farewell of the disciples to their Guru is truly emotional and distinctive. A local leader named Monty Raikwar was also present at the funeral rites, who gave a last farewell to Pandit Ramchandra Pathak by following the Bundeli tradition and performing in front of his Guru.
Apart from the disciples, people from across the district reached the late wrestler’s house upon hearing the news of his death and paid their last respects. He was quite famous for enthusiastically teaching the youth on how to use the sword and the axe. On the occasion of Dussehra, the youth used to display their skills, while the idols of the goddesses were immersed.
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