Lalmani Kukreti becoming chief priest of Bazari Kathur Temple

(Folk Tales from Garhwal for Management Training Series -134)

(Training - How the title changes with circumstances)

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Collected and Edited by: Bhishma Kukreti (Management Trainer)

(Folk Story Narrated by Shri Shiv Charan Kukreti from Bazari Kathur)

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      Bazari Kathur was once largest village in terms of population and numbers of caste in Dhangu, Pauri Garhwal. Bazari Kathur is also called Bara Kathur or Large Kathur. 

 There is an old Devi goddess temple on Devi Danda hill top of Bazari Kathur on Rishikesh –Kotdwara road. Once, the Mor Rawat family was the land owner of Devi Temple region and Mor Rawat family was managing the various activities of the famous Devi temple.

 Mor Rawat family head used to nominate a Kukreti from Kathur Bara village for rituals every year.

    Once, Mor Rawat family head owning the Devi Temple was plowing the filed just below the Devi Temple. Suddenly snakes surrounded the plough and Mor Rawat was shocked to see snake surround lower part of plough. It is perceived bad luck when a snake surrounds the plough or bulls while plowing field. As per custom, Mor Rawat had to throw all his clothes, gift his bulls and plough to a needy person and a Pundit had to perform a specific ritual for getting rid of the bad luck (Sarp Dosh Nivaran).

    On that time, a Sanskrit Karmkand scholar, Ayurveda practitioner Lalmani Kukreti was the only Pundit knowing Sarp Dosh Nivaran rituals. Lalmani Kukreti was also devotee of Devi.  Mor Rawat head was standing on the field and he called learned Pundit Lalmani Kukreti for performing Sarp Dosh Nivaran Karmkand. Lalmani Kukreti performed the rituals of Sarp Dosh Nivaran Karmkand. Mor Rawat head gifted his cloths and bulls to an ironsmith.

             Mor Rawat family head gifted his whole land around Devi Temple to Lalmani Kukreti and also appointed Lalmani Kukreti as chief priest of Devi temple permanently. From that time, Lalmani Kukreti family became chief priest of Devi Temple.  Shiv Charan Kukreti and family members belong to Lalmani Kukreti family tree and are the owners of land around Devi Temple of Devi Danda Kathur Bara.

   

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Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti, Mumbai, 2017

Himalayan Folk Stories for Management Training from Garhwal; Folk Stories for Management Training from Garhwal, Uttarakhand; Himalayan Folk Stories for Management Training from Garhwal, Central Himalaya; Himalayan Folk Stories for Management Training from Garhwal, North India; Himalayan Folk Stories for Management Training from Garhwal, India; Himalayan Folk Stories for Management Training from Garhwal, South Asia; Himalayan Folk Stories for Management Training from Garhwal, Asia