Kalsin (Kalchhin) Devta: The Kumaoni Garhwali Folk Deity for Protecting Farming and Cattle

गढ़वाल , कुमाऊं के लोक देवता कालसिण (कालछिन)  गाथा (जागर  )

Folklore, Folk Legends, Folk Myths of Kumaon-Garhwal, Uttarkahnd-14

Religious, Spiritual and Mythological Folklore of Garhwal, Kumaon, Uttarakhand – 14  

                                         Bhishma Kukreti 

 The Kalsin (Kalchhin) Devta Jagar is very much common in Munsyari, Madkot, Bauna, Tiksain regions of district Pithoragarh of Kumaon. Kalsin (Kalchhin) deity is famous for protection of cattle, agriculture of devotees and bringing prosperity for devotees.  Kalsin (Kalchhin) is brother of Goril/Gwill/Gwall.  The Jagar starts from the prayer of Sarswati, descriptions of pilgrim places and court. The initial lines of Kalsin Jagar are as

कुमाऊं और गढ़वाल की लोक गाथाएँ -14  
कालसिण (कालछिन) देवता जागर
(सन्दर्भ:डा कृष्णा नन्द जोशी , रुपहले शिखरों के सुनहरे स्वर )

जाग जाग दिवड़ी माता जागनी पूरी रात
सुण सुन कालछिन तुमरो भारत
यसो जाती भारत तुमारो साँचो छ कि झूठा
यो जाण यों सुण स्वामी माफ़ करी दिया
भूल बिसर को माफ़ करी दिया
कहो रघुनाथ स्वामी रास्ता दे बुझाई
को माता सरस्वती सत्य बात बोल
हरी चोरी दुवा चोरी सभा बैठी रैछ
धुनी का दीवान बैठा करड़ा बजीर
छोटा छरीदार बैठा होका भरीदार बैठा
बावन की की सभा बैठी नौहारी कचहरी
बडो दियो कालछिन तै बखत बुलाल
साल साल इजू माया तुरंत ज्युनार
आव आव सवार छोरी हमरनियिरा जाओ
तैलबार कालिका माता रसोई न्हगैछ
लसकनी  खीर होली समना तो घिया
xx


(पिथौरागढ़ में प्रचलित कालसिण (कालछिन) देवता जागर; मुनस्यारी पिथौरागढ़ में प्रचलित कालसिण(कालछिन) देवता जागर; मदकोट पिथौरागढ़ में प्रचलित कालसिण (कालछिन) देवता जागर; टिकसैण पिथौरागढ़ में प्रचलित कालसिण (कालछिन) देवता जागर);

       The court is on. The prime minister, ministers, judge and other elites are present in the court. The son of mother Kalika, the brother of Goril Kalsin (Kalchhin) is ready for going to court after dressing. In court, a couple of elites made strategies to insult Kalsin (Kalchhin). Binbhatt said that Kalsin (Kalchhin) is unmarried and was not suitable for honor. Kalsin (Kalchhin) could not bear the insult and d returned from court. Kalsin (Kalchhin) took renouncement (sanyas).  Kalsin (Kalchhin) made Jogiya kundal (The ear ring of renounced person), Jholi (bag), Chimta, and saffron dresses.

            After worshipping his mother Kalika, Kalsin (Kalchhin) travelled in all directions. Kalsin (Kalchhin) did not get mental peace anywhere. He left earth and travelled into sky, sun, air, cloud. Kalsin (Kalchhin) cursed the deceptive ministers of court and they became stones. Kalsin (Kalchhin) reached to Satyalok. Deities welcomed and honored to Kalsin (Kalchhin).

                There in Devsthal, the five ministers were become stones. The people asked to astrologers for reasons of five ministers becoming stones. The astrologer told that it is because of the curse of Kalsin (Kalchhin). The astrologer advised to call Kalsin (Kalchhin) in Devsthal and beg the pardon from   Kalsin (Kalchhin) for converting stones into ministers.

                Binbhatt was sent to search Kalsin (Kalchhin). Binbhatt travelled everywhere. Binbhatt reached to Rasatal and found Kalsin (Kalchhin).  After making many requests of Binbhatt, Kalsin (Kalchhin) became ready to go Devsthal. As soon as Kalsin (Kalchhin) reached Devsthal everybody became curse free. Later on sages arranged marriage of Kalsin (Kalchhin) Hinvala the daughter of Kaunda sage.  

     After some time, the minister started journey for Bhabhar without caring the auspicious date for starting the journey. All minister lost their wealth in gambling on the journey. They started living as slaves. They sent a letter with the help of a bird to Kalsin (Kalchhin). Kalsin (Kalchhin)  came there. Kalsin (Kalchhin)   won the all wealth of ministers in gambling with professional gamblers. Kalsin (Kalchhin) lived there for twelve years with those ministers. They earned a lot of wealth. They came back to Devsthal.

By chance, Hinvala wife of Kalsin (Kalchhin) was taking bath and due to first sun ray, she became pregnant.  When Kalsin (Kalchhin) saw that his wife was pregnant, he took renouncement.  He reached to Madkot  (Pithoragarh) and became invisible forever.

 Due to this, the region of Raigraja became wealth less or prosperity less. The astrologer advised to build the temple of Kalsin (Kalchhin).  When priest was performing worship ritual for Kalsin (Kalchhin, the soul of Kalsin (Kalchhin) entered into body of Dangriya of Papdikot and he danced the on the Ghadela of Kalsin (Kalchhin).  After the worship (Ghadela) of Kalsin (Kalchhin), the Raigraja region became wealthy and prosperous again.

Copyright (Interpretation) @ Bhishma Kukreti, 28/4/2013

Folklore, Folk Legends, Folk Myths of Kumaon-Garhwal, Uttarakhand to be continued…15

Religious, Spiritual and Mythological Folklore of Garhwal, Kumaon, Uttarakhand to be continued…15   

Curtsey and references:

Dr. Krishna Nand Joshi, Kumaon ka Lok Sahitya (Folklore texts of Kumaon)

 Dr Trilochan Pandey, Kumaoni Bhasha aur Uska Sahity(Folklore literature of Kumaon )

Dr Siva Nand Nautiyal, Garhwal ke Lok Nrityageet  (Folk Songs and dances of Garhwal )

Dr Govind Chatak, Garhwali Lokgathayen (Folklore of Garhwali)

Dr. Govind Chatak, Kumaoni Lokgathayen (Folklore of Kumaoni)

Dr Urbi Datt Upadhyaya, Kumaon ki Lokgathaon ka Sahityik Adhyayan (Literary review of Folklore of Kumaon)

Dr. Prayag Joshi, Kumaon Garhwal ki Lokgathaon ka Vivechnatmak Adhyayan (Critical Review of Folklore of Kumaon and Garhwal)

Dr Dinesh Chandra Baluni, Uttarakhand ki Lokgathayen (Folklore of Uttarakhand)

Dr Jagdish (Jaggu) Naudiyal, Uttarakhand ki Sanskritik Dharohar, (Partially Folklore of Ravain) 

Abodh Bandhu Bahuguna, Dhunyal (Folklore and Folk Songs of Garhwal)

Shambhu Prasad Bahuguna, Virat Hriday

Kusum Budhwar, 2010, Where Gods Dwell: Central Himalayan Folktales and Legends 

Kumaon: Kala, Shilp,aur Sanskriti         www.himvan.com/webpages/dana.htm

Anjali Kapila (2004), Traditional health Practices of Kumaoni women

Notes on Kalsin/Kalchhin Devta Jagar common in Pithoragarh; Kalsin/Kalchhin Devta Jagar common in Munsyari Pithoragarh; Kalsin/Kalchhin Devta Jagar common in Madkot Pithoragarh; Kalsin/Kalchhin Devta Jagar common in Tiksain Pithoragarh; Kalsin/Kalchhin Devta Jagar common in Walthi Pithoragarh; Kalsin/Kalchhin Devta Jagar common in Bauna Pithoragarh;Kalsin/Kalchhin Devta Jagar common in Lilam Pithoragarh; Kalsin/Kalchhin Devta Jagar common in Bagudiyar Pithoragarh; Kalsin/Kalchhin Devta Jagar common in Hiramani Udiyar Pithoragarh; Kalsin/Kalchhin Devta Jagar common in Barfu Pithoragarh .