Dalmau, is a small town situated on the banks of river Ganga located not far from Kanpur. It's true... the festival of Holi (Badi Holi or Khelne waali Holi) is celebrated 3 days after the actual date, although the Chhoti Holi - that falls a day before the main Holi (Badi Holi) is celebrated the same day as rest of the world where ever Holi is celebrated.
This is because, some 600 years ago, the founder of the town of Dalmau - Raja Dal Deo - was murdered on the day of Holi by Sultan Ibrahim Sharqi. Dal Deo had fallen in love with Salma, daughter of Baba Haji - a minister of Sharqi's, and had asked for her hand. This was not acceptable to Baba Haji nor to the Sultan who then attacked Dalmau on Holi and beheaded Raja Dal Deo who was in the state of festivity.
To commamorate his death people of Dalmau celebrate Holi 3 days after the actual date of the festival.
Dalmau is also famous for being the work place of Surya Kant Tripathi "Nirala", famous Indian Writer and Poet. Although born in Unnao he worked mainly in Dalmau which was his wife's hometown too.
OK, history aside, what is Dalmau like right now? As expected the fort of Dalmau is in complete ruins. Part of it is being used by the irrigation department of Uttar Pradesh government as a guest house. It's a pitty that nothing remains of the fort although locals still refer to the almost non existent ruins as "killa" or fort.
This is because, some 600 years ago, the founder of the town of Dalmau - Raja Dal Deo - was murdered on the day of Holi by Sultan Ibrahim Sharqi. Dal Deo had fallen in love with Salma, daughter of Baba Haji - a minister of Sharqi's, and had asked for her hand. This was not acceptable to Baba Haji nor to the Sultan who then attacked Dalmau on Holi and beheaded Raja Dal Deo who was in the state of festivity.
To commamorate his death people of Dalmau celebrate Holi 3 days after the actual date of the festival.
Dalmau is also famous for being the work place of Surya Kant Tripathi "Nirala", famous Indian Writer and Poet. Although born in Unnao he worked mainly in Dalmau which was his wife's hometown too.
OK, history aside, what is Dalmau like right now? As expected the fort of Dalmau is in complete ruins. Part of it is being used by the irrigation department of Uttar Pradesh government as a guest house. It's a pitty that nothing remains of the fort although locals still refer to the almost non existent ruins as "killa" or fort.
The ghats on the banks of river Ganga, said to have built by Raja Tikait Rai in the 18th century, are a piece of marvel, still intact pretty much, but as expected not clean. No caretaker could be seen around and only a few pilgrims or locals could be noticed. The ghats also lacked a good road link from the main road which was only a couple of kilometers away. I hope these ghats remain intact till some government can think about them and get them cleaned and well taken care of. On the contrary all around the Dalmau area, there were big colleges and schools being constructed, apparently by those close to the present chief minister of Uttar Pradesh ...
