A tradition – in which people dress up like Hanuman and move around on city streets — brought to this part of the country by the Laiya and the Hyderabadi communities of the Mianwali district in the northwest of Punjab province, Pakistan, after the partition, has apparently caught the fancy of many here.
It what can be called an exclusive feature of Dussehra celebrated in Panipat, people whose cherished wishes are granted by the almighty, wear the attire of Hanuman and roam about in streets, bestowing blessings on passersby and wishing them luck. Residents invite these Hanumans to their houses and organise ceremonies in which neighbours are called in to receive blessings from the human Hanumans.
According to Ramesh Kumar, president of Panipat Dussehra Committee, the tradition was brought here by one Suraj Bhan who, along with his family, arrived in Panipat after the partition. Soon, other members of his community also arrived here. Along with them came this tradition to Panipat, which, as of today, is practiced nowhere else in the world, he said.
The Hanumans choose the seventh, eighth and ninth Navratras to change their looks and on the day of Dussehra, they go to Ramleela grounds and circle the effigy of demon king Ravan. Another important aspect of this tradition is that those who become Hanumans, sleep in nearby temples and follow the strict rules of a Brahmachari. They even fast seven to 21 days to mark their gratitude towards the almighty for having granted their wish.