Rautelas of Sakmunda not having Kuldevta and Gramdevta

 (Folk Stories of Garhwal- 121)

(Narrated by Shri Geetesh Negi, Churain Ganv, Badalpur, Pauri Garhwal)

         Collected By: Bhishma Kukreti

        Most of Garhwali villagers of a village have a Kuldevta and or Gramdevta, Kuldevi and or Kuldevi (Family Deity and or Village Deity, Family Goddess and or Village Goddess). However, Rautelas of Sakmunda (Near Jaharikhal) do not perform rituals for worshipping any Kuldevta or Gram Devta. There is a folk story about Rautelas of Sakmunda not having Kuldevta and Gramdevta.

        A rich Rautela (Saukar Rautela) of Maindoli village (near Jaharikhal) had two wives one living in Maindoli and other living in Sakmunda. The rich Rautela was enjoying his life with ease, happiness and large family.  

   It is said that geography of Garhwal hills and human luck change very fast. Family members of Saukar Rautela Rich started dying by epidemics. One time came that Rautela and his two wives were alive but all family members died by epidemics. Saukar Rautela performed Kuldevta and Gramdevta rituals for getting children from his both the wives. Both wives delivered sons in due time. Saukar Rautela was happy again. However, his both the sons died by epidemic.

  Then, again Saukar performed rituals for Gramdevta and Kuldevta for getting blessing for children. However, epidemic was more powerful and again his newly born children died due to epidemic.

 Saukar Rautela was now angry with the deities especially Village deity and family deity. Saukar Rautela threw idols of all deities and goddesses from family and village temples and settled in Sakmunda for ever, Later on, Saukar Rautela got sons from his wife living in Sakmunda and all children lived their normal life.

   From that time, Rautelas of Sakmunda village don’t perform rituals for Kuldevta and or Gramdevta, Kuldevi and or Gramdevi (Family Deity and or Village Deity, Family Goddess and or Village Goddess). However, Rautelas of Sakmunda perform normal rituals for deities.

  

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti, Mumbai 2016