The day after Holi is known as Dhuleti/Fuldol. This day marks the birth of Bhagwan Shree Narnarayan Dev, the King of Bharatkhand. Shree Narnarayan Dev took birth in order to defeat the demon Kunchi, who was granted a boon of having 1000 protective shields.
To destroy one shield would require one to do tappascharya (penance) for 1000 years. For this reason, many saw Kunchi as immortal and undefeatable. Thus, when Shree Narnarayan Dev was born, people were joyous and celebrated. Devtas swung Shree Narnarayan Dev in a Hindola made of flowers.
Shree Narnarayan Dev immediately fought Kunchi- one would do tap for 1000 years as the other would battle for 1000 years before switching roles. Once Kunchi was down to his last shield, he retreated to Shree Suryanarayan Dev for protection. Thus, unable to defeat Kunchi, Shree Narnarayan Dev returned to Badrikashram.
As narrated in the Mahabharat, Kunchi was reborn as Karna (son of Kunti, the mother of the Pandavs). From his last birth, Karna had protection of one last shield. To defeat him, Shree Narayan incarnated as Lord Shree Krishna and Shree Nar incarnated as Shree Arjun. It was Shree Nar who eventually
defeated Karna during the Kurukshetra War.
It is said that to this day, Shree Narnarayan Dev is doing tappascharya in Badrikashram for the protection and welfare of Bharatkhand.
Click to recite the Narnarayan Dev Ashtak
