Garhwali Folktales of Khairling Mahdev Temple

Garhwali Folk Tales, Fables, Traditional Stories, Community Narratives -101 

(Garhwali religious Folk Tale Literature, Garhwali Traditional Religious Story Literature)

  Compiled and Edited by: Bhishma Kukreti (Management Training Expert)

          (Based on Narration by Hema Uniyal, Kedarkhand, page 129)

               The name of Khairling Mahadev Temple is Mundaneshwar Khairling Mahadev.  The Temple is situated on a Hill Top of Block, Kaljikhal, Patti Aswalsyun, Pauri Garhwal. The Khairling Mahadev Temple is five Kilometer fat away from Kaljikhal. The place is surrounded by oak, Pine and other high altitude trees and faunas. From Mundaneshwar Khairling, You may watch Chaukhmba Shrines, Lansdowne, and Bhairongarhi etc.

  There is an old folktales related establishing Khairling.

  Many hundred years back, a man called Madu Thairwal of Thair village went for Dhakar (to visit wholesale market for daily uses materials) to Nazibabad. He bought Salt and Gud in two different bags from Nazibabad. While returning from Nazibabad to Thair, Madu Thairwal stayed in village Berbut (Saknauli). In morning, he wanted to keep salt bag on his shoulder. However, the salt bag became so heavy that Madu Thairwal could not lift the same Salt Bag brought from Naziabad by him only. Madu Thairwal left the heavy salt bag there and went to his village Thair. In night, Madu Thairwal saw a dream and in dream he saw a strong deity like person. The strong deity like person told him that “I have taken a form of Shiva Linga and I am inside your salt bag.” The deity like man ordered Madu Thairwal to establish him (Linga) on Mundan Danda (Mundan Hill Top). Then after, the Linga was established in Mundan Danda (Mundan Hill Top). The land of Mundan Hill Top is of Mirchoda Aswalsyun. The people of Mirchoda are called the village of Father in Law (Sasural wale) of Khairling. The villagers of Thair are called Mayke wale or Mother’s side of Khairling. Since, the Linga entered into Salt Bag in Saknoli village, Saknoli people are priests of Khairling. Initially, the name was Thairling but later on Thairling became Khairling later on.  Some say that since the color of Linga is of Khair (Catechu) color the name of Linga became Khairling.

 It is also believed that Khairling is brother of Igasar, Binsar and Tadasr Mahadev.

Copyright @ Bhishma Kukreti 18/4//2015 for review and interpretation

                                 References

1-Bhishma Kukreti, 1984, Garhwal Ki Lok Kathayen, Binsar Prakashan, Lodhi Colony, Delhi 110003, 

2- Bhishma Kukreti 2003, Salan Biten Garhwali Lok Kathayen, Rant Raibar, Dehradun

Xx

Garhwali Folk Tales about Khairling Mahadev  Temple, Mirchoda Village, Pauri Garhwal; Garhwali Folk Tales about Khairling Mahadev  Temple, Saknoli Village Pauri Garhwal;  Garhwali Folk Tales about Khairling Mahadev  Temple, Pauri Garhwal;  Garhwali religious Folk Tale Literature, Garhwali Traditional Religious Story Literature of Kaljikhal Block Pauri; Garhwali religious Folk Tale Literature, Garhwali Traditional Religious Story Literature Of Patti Maniyarsyun  Pauri Garhwal; Garhwali Folk Tales about Deity Temple, Pauri Garhwal; Garhwali religious Folk Tale Literature, Garhwali Traditional Religious Story Literature of Patti Aswalsyun, Pauri Garhwal; Garhwali Folk Tales about Deity Temple,  Chamoli Garhwal; Garhwali Folk Tales about Deity Temple,  Rudraprayag Garhwal; Garhwali Folk Tales about Deity Temple,  Tehri Garhwal; Garhwali Folk Tales about Deity Temple,  Uttarkashi Garhwal; Garhwali Folk Tales about Deity Temple,  Dehradun Garhwal;  Garhwali Folk Tales about Deity Temple, Haridwar Garhwal; Communities Folk Tales about Thairwal of Pauri.