A 'Kumbh' for lovers in Uttar Pradesh

Lovers from far-off areas gathered on the banks of the Majha river at Banda on Friday, at the temple dedicated to a “Nat” youth (a community, whose members are experts in walking on ropes tied to two ends of poles) and his lover, the princess of a nearby “haveli” at Banda.

“The temple is the symbol of the tragic love story of a youth and a princess. The princess, while visiting the river once, had fallen in love with the youth and wanted to marry him,” temple priest Ghanshyam Pandit said.

When the girl’s father came to know about the affair, he tried to dissuade his daughter from the love tangle. When she did not relent, he put a tough condition before the youth, asking him to walk on a rope tied from the nearby by hills to the fort.

The rope was too weak and gave in, just when the youth was about to reach his destination. The young lover fell down and died. On hearing this, the princess also committed suicide, the priest said.

“From then onwards, lovers assemble here and take pledge before the deity never to part ways or separate,” Pandit said.

“The lovers take bath in the Majha river and then take a round of the temple before paying obeisance there,” he added.