Jagar (Devanagari: जागर) is a Hindu form of Shamanism which is practiced in the hills of Uttarakhand, both in Garhwal and Kumaon.
[1] As a ritual, Jagar is a way in which gods and local deities are woken from their dormant stage and asked for favors or remedies.
After evolving over time, Jagar singing has transformed into an art form that is greatly cherished, the exponents of which are often heralded as living heritage.
The hard life within the Himalayas and constant exposure to the vagaries of nature inspired a strong belief in paranormal phenomena and in numerous folk gods, who were given great reverence and respect.
In particular, the isolation of the Kumaon and Garhwal due to the Himalayas promoted the emergence of local religious traditions, which are still strong in these regions along with mainstream Hinduism.
[2] Today, Jagar is viewed as a cultural and musical component of local heritage that needs preservation.
In Sanjhvali Geet (साँझवली गीत), all gods are remembered, their names are repeated, and they are asked for assistance for a successful completion of the Jagar.
The following text is an excerpt from the Sanjhvali Geet of deity Gangnath (in Kumaoni language): जै गुरु-जै गुरु माता पिता गुरु देवत तब तुमरो नाम छू इजाऽऽऽऽऽऽ यो रुमनी-झूमनी संध्या का बखत में॥
The following text is an excerpt from the Birtwai of deity Bala Goria (in Kumaoni language): गोरियाऽऽऽऽऽऽ दूदाधारी छै, कृष्ण अबतारी छै। मामू को अगवानी छै, पंचनाम द्याप्तोंक भाँणिज छै, तै बखत का बीच में गढ़ी चम्पावती में हालराई राज जो छन, अहाऽऽऽऽ!
डोटी की हुलारी, म्यारा नाथा रे......माँगता फकीर। रमता रंगीला जोगी, माँगता फकीर, ओहोऽऽऽऽ माँगता फकीर...... All gods and demigods in the local pantheon of Kumaon are believed to be disciples of Guru Gorakhnath, who is remembered and asked for protection.
अहा.... गुरु धें कुना, गुरु......, म्यारा कान फाड़ि दियो, मून-मूनि दियो, भगैलि चादर दि दियौ, मैं कें बिद्या भार दी दियो, मैं कें गुरुमुखी ज बणा दियो। ओ... दो तारी को तार-ओ दो तारी को तार, गुरु मैंकें दियो कूँछो, बिद्या को भार, बिद्या को भार जोगी, माँगता फकीर, रमता रंगीला जोगी, माँगता फकीर। The ash known as Bibhuti (बिभूति) from Homa, the fire sacrifice made to the gods, is applied on the foreheads of those present.