By Arvind Singh
London: Under a canopy Maa Durga was invoked with Vedic hymns and the chanting of hymns continued for hours on Dussehra as community members gathered for annual Shashtra Pujan – worshipping of the arms. This could be a scene from any part of India on the day of Dussehra but North London on October 15 was no different.
Members of the Rajput community gathered in North London on the day of the Dussehra festival and performed rituals of Shashtra Pujan followed by performances which included traditional Talvar Raas – performance with an unsheathed sword.
Members of the Rajput community lined up with their swords for Shashtra Pujan in North London on October 15, 2021.
Explained Harendra Singh Jodha, an Indian expatriate from Nagaur district in Rajasthan, “Rajput Samaj in the UK has been organizing the Dussehra event since its foundation in the late 1970s but community worshipping of arms started around five years ago. The community members come together and celebrate the festival every year. It is also an occasion to pass on our traditions to the new generation by way of participation.”
Turbaned men were dressed in their best Jodhpuris, achkans and breaches carrying swords in colorful scabbards while women wore the traditional Rajasthani poshak and best of their jewelry.
Members of the Rajput community lined up with their swords for Shashtra Pujan in North London on October 15, 2021.
After the Shashtra pujan, the members were all set to enjoy the show of Talvar Raas – an exhibition of sword skills. The volunteers holding unsheathed swords lined up in two rows and performers including women and young children came to show their skills.
“This event is the celebration of Indian culture. The event witnessed enthusiastic participants and performers which shows how deep-rooted our culture and values are to us. It was not an all Rajput event but our friends from other communities from India also participated with fervor,” Vikram Sinh Jadeja, the in-charge of Talvar Raas event said.
Arjun Sinh, the youngest performer decked up in traditional attire.
Nisha Ba Jadeja from Muli in Gujarat was adjudged best female performer at Talvar Raas event of 2021 while Arjun Sinh was the youngest performer.
Those who enthusiastically participated in Talvar Raas event included Heenaba Jhala, Anjana
