Goddesses, Deities, Rituals in British Garhwal

British Administration in Garhwal   -181

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History of British Rule/Administration over Kumaun and Garhwal (1815-1947) -201

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            History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -1034

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                              By: Bhishma Kukreti (History Student)

                The religious beliefs were as per geographical conditions in Garhwal hills, mountains, forests were surrounding the villages.  Therefore, hill tops became inspiring sources for religious beliefs. High altitude hill tops were called Kailas. Garhwalis respected snow bound hills and bowed before those hills. People used to tag red cloth on a stone or shrubs from where they could see snow bound hills. People used offering flowers, pine fruits, oak nuts, plant leaves to that shrub.

               Nanda Bhagwati

  Nanda Devi mountain belt is spread from Chamoli to Kumaon. People of both the regions of North Garhwal and Kumaon worship Nanda Goddess with devotion. There are/were small stone hut as Nanda Devi temple on many hill tops from where nada shrines are visible. Nanda Devi had been national goddess of Kumaon and Garhwal.  Nanda Devi is called Shiva wife. There are many folk tales related to goddess Nanda Devi.

     As today, there used to be ‘Nanda jat yatra’that starts from her village to top shrine.

    People used to sacrifice goats, lambs and buffalo as gifts to her. There used to a human sacrifice after very twelve years. Usually, the person agreed himself for sacrificing his life. The person used to cut his hair, nails etc and used to stand before Nanda Devi idol and used to take oath. From that day, he used to live alon and used to cook himself. He usually used to die within a year.

  

References  

1-Shiv Prasad Dabral ‘Charan’, Uttarakhand ka Itihas, Part -7 Garhwal par British -Shasan, part -1, page- 343-456

2- Atkinson, Himalayan Districts Vol.3

 3- Asiatic Researches Vo.l 6

4- Pannalal , Customary law in Kumaon page 6 to 8

5- Joshi Khas Family law

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Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India,bjkukreti@gmail.com 23/9/2017 History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -1035

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*** History of British Rule/Administration over British Garhwal (Pauri, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli1815-1947) to be continued in next chapter

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(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)

 History of British Garhwal, History of Devalgarh Garhwal; History of Badhan Garhwal; History of Barasyun Garhwal; History of Chandpur Garhwal; History of Chaundkot Garhwal; History of  Gangasalan Garhwal;  History of Mallasalan Garhwal;  History ofTallasaln Garhwal; History of Dashauli Garhwal; History of Nagpur Garhwal; Sociity  in British Garhwal. History of British Garhwal, History of Social Structure and Religious Faith in Chamoli Garhwal, History of Social Structure and Religious Faith of Pauri Garhwal ,  Social and Culture History of Rudraprayag Garhwal