Lodi Rikhola: Great Folk Hero of Garhwal

Folklore, Folk Legends, Folk Myths, Jagar of Kumaon-Garhwal –Haridwar (Uttarakhand) -40

 Chivalry, Gallantry, Graciousness Folklores, Folk Legends, Folk Myths, Ballads of Bravery of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar, Uttarakhand –24 

                                           By: Bhishma Kukreti

                         Characteristics of Folk Hero

    Graham Seal (2001, Encyclopedia of Folk Heroes) states, “Those activities that generally confer heroism upon individuals may, singly or in various in various combinations include following characteristics”

1-Physical Power 2-Cunning

2-Persistance

3-Helping Others

4-Luck

5- Cleverness

6-Magic

7-Magic

8-Wisdom

9-Righteousness

10-Skillful ability

11-Power

12-Laying

13-Stupidity  

                                    Lodi Rikhola: Great Folk Hero of Garhwal  

                Lodi Rikhola was one of the great generals of Garhwal Kingdom. Madho Singh Bhandari became army chief after the death of great general Lodi Rikhola.

              Lodi Rikhola was born in Bayeli village of Malla Badalpur of Pauri Garhwal. He belonged to a Thokdar (like Chieftain) family. Once, in his childhood, a marriage party had come in the village from Maudadsyun. There was a big vessel at water source. Many people could pick not pick up that big vassal. Lodi Rikhola picked up the vassal and took up the vassal to marriage party far away from water source. Everybody praised the strength of young Lodi Rikhola.

     Lodi Rikhola was married to a Thokdar daughter from Khairasain near Satpuli.  

          Due to his courageous and wise character, Garhwal King Mahipat Shah appointed Lodi Rikhola his army chief.  

   Mahipat Shah sent general Lodi Rikhola for calm downing the peace at border of Sirmour. Lodi started his journey for Sirmour border but he felt inauspicious signs. Rikhola came back from a distance. His mother criticized him. Lodi Rikhola went to Sirmour border via Srinagar.

           Lodi Rikhola brought peace by his power and wise diplomacy at the border of Sirmour. The king welcomed him at Srinagar and rewarded Jagir.   

  King started appreciating Lodi Rikhola. The enemies of Lodi within court started complaining to the king that Lodi Rikhola wanted to become King. King killed Lodi Rikhola by conspiracy. Mother of Lodi Rikhola cursed the king.

  The king came to know the real conspiracy of enemies of Lodi after his death. The king awarded Jagir of Badalpur and Paino to heirs of Lodi Rikhola.         

   

Copyright (Interpretation) @ Bhishma Kukreti, 30/5/2013

Folklore, Folk Legends, Folk Myths of Kumaon-Garhwal-Haridwar (Uttarakhand) to be continued…41  

                          

Chivalry, Gallantry, gracious Folklores, Folk Legends, Folk Myths of Garhwal, Kumaon, Uttarakhand to be continued…25    

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

Dr. Dip Chand Chaudhri, 1995, Askot ka Palvansh , Gumani Shodhkendra, Uprada, Gangalighat

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) 

Ramesh Matiyani ‘Shailesh’ 1959, Kumaun ki Lok Gathayen

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 

C.M. Agarwal , Golu Devta, 1992, The God of Justice of Kumaon Himalayas

N.D .Paliwal, 1987, Kumaoni Lok Geet

E.S. Oakley and Tara Datt Gairola 1935, Himalayan Folklore

M.R.Anand, 2009, Understanding the Socio Cultural experiences of Pahadi folks: Jagar Gathas of Kumaon and Garhwal

Dr. Pradeep Saklani, 2008, Ethno archeology of Yamuna Valley

Shiv Narayan Singh Bisht, 1928, Gadhu Sumyal, Banghat , Pauri Garhwal

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

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

Bhishma Kukreti, Garhwali Lok Natkon ke Mukhy Tatva va Vivechana

Helle Primdahi, 1994, Central Himalayan Folklore: folk Songs in Rituals of the Life Cycle

Hemant Kumar Shukla, D.R. Purohit, 2012, Theories and Practices of Hurkiya Theater in Uttarakhand, Language in India Vol.12:5: 2012 Page 143- 150

Dev Singh Pokhariya, 1996, Kumauni Jagar Kathayen aur Lokgathayen

Madan Chand Bhatt, 2002, Kumaun ki Jagar Kathayen 

Bhishma Kukreti Notes on Haridwar Folk heroes

This chapter contains Great Folk Hero of Garhwal; Great Folk Hero of Uttarkashi Garhwal; Great Folk Hero of Chamoli Garhwal; Great Folk Hero of Pauri Garhwal; Great Folk Hero of Rudraprayag, Garhwal; Great Folk Hero of Dehradun, Garhwal; Great Folk Hero of Badalpur, Garhwal; Great Folk Hero of Paino, Garhwal; Great Folk Hero of Malla Badalpur, Garhwal; Great Folk Hero of Lansdowne tehsil, Garhwal; Great Folk Hero of Dehradun, Garhwal; Great Folk Hero of Nayar valley Garhwal; Great Folk Hero of Eastern Nayar Valley , Garhwal; Great Folk Hero of Satpuli region, Garhwal