New Delhi: Chandra Shekhar Agarwal (Chanduji), who was the ‘Badshah' (emperor) this year at the internationally renowned 175th Badshah Fair in Beawar, Rajasthan, passed away suddenly due to a heart attack while playing with Gulal during the Holi festival.
As soon as the news of his untimely demise spread, a wave of mourning spread throughout Beawar. The celebrations were halted, and the joyous atmosphere, filled with joy, color, and excitement, turned into grief.
Agarwal's final journey was carried out on Thursday morning in a royal manner from his residence. His wife applied gulal (coloured powder) before the funeral processions, and was joined by huge numbers of mourners.
The district administration paid their heartfelt tributes by placing a wreath of flowers on his body. District Collector Kamal Ram Meena, District Superintendent of Police Ratan Singh, Assistant Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kasana, Sub-Divisional Officer Divyanshu Singh, and Tehsildar Hanut Singh attended.
The last journey of ‘Badshah’ Chanduji was carried out in truly a royal manner. His body was decorated and laid on an open tractor. The band played religious and patriotic tunes in front of his procession.
Chandra Shekhar Agarwal reliving the great moment of nobleman Todarmal when he was appointed as emperor for a day by Samrat Akbar. (Photo courtesy: Babloo ji/Vardhman School, Beawar)
Accompanied by the sound of drums and cymbals, Mukesh Upadhyay, playing Birbal, bid his king a final farewell with tearful eyes, performing a soulful dance.
This year, at the 175th historical fair, Chandra Shekhar Agarwal was honored to sit on the throne of the king. To celebrate his accession to the throne, he distributed gulal and cash in the form of kharchi (money) throughout the day.
At 4:30 pm, after praying to Khejda Wale Bhairu Ji, he ascended his throne in the royal truck, the king's carriage, and distributed the gulal with great joy, enthusiasm, and royalty.
Agarwal was a staunch devotee of Mahadevji, or Lord Shiva. According to information received, he was one of the pioneers in starting the Mahadevji's Chhatri Kavad Yatra in 1996. He filled the Kavad with water from Pushkar Lake and walked to Beawar several times, offering water to Mahadevji's Chhatri, situated in the heart of Beawar.
When his last journey reached Mahadevji's Chatro, the temple priest Vijayji Dadhich and other Lord Shiva devotees gave him a heartfelt farewell by showering flowers and chanting slogans in praise of Mahadev.
'Badshah' Chandra Shekhar will be remembered every year, while Beawar continues the historic heritage in memory of one day King Todarmal, a jewel in emperor Akbar's Court of nobles.
