Sting Nettle in Uttarakhand Mythology

 (Herbs and Animals in Uttarakhand Mythology -1)

(Herbs in Uttarakhand Mythology part-1)

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Bhishma Kukreti (Mythology Research Scholar)

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 Mythology means study of old beliefs. Those beliefs might be scientifically correct, incorrect  or might be today, proved harmful.

  Garhwal has old history and the people have been using herbs and animals as myths (stories, remedies, rituals, proverbs, daily practices etc.).

 In Mahabharata, Kalidas literature, there are description of various plants and animals of Uttarakhand those were used as local ritual practices.

     Apart from food, medicines, and packing material uses, Uttarakhand have been using sting nettle or Kandali or Siyunn for various rituals too.

        Sting Nettle uses in avoiding epidemics

     Uttarakhand people believed that sting nettle is anti-cholera, anti-pox and anti-malignant influences and troubles. In nearest past and still today, people used to hang the sting nettle stem on door wall top plate (Singar ) for stopping entry of cholera, pox, malignant influences.

   It is believed that sting nettle drives away the bad spirits. In epidemics, people used to keep sting nettle plants outside of rooms too.

  People also use Kandali in chicken pox (dadru) diseases. People kept sting nettle leaves besides the patient.

        Sting Nettle in Marriage Party

   When a marriage party takes gift items, people used to keep sting nettle plants on top of gift items as a protecting deity representative.

          Sting Nettle while Bruising

     When thee is rice bruising in mortar for cooking ‘arsa’ sweet, people keep sting nettle plant  around mortar for protecting bad evils that spoils ‘arsa’ cooking.  

     

               Sting Nettle for getting rid of Evil Soul, Ghost (Bhut)

   When a person is affected by evil soul (Bhut/Bhoot) the tantric uses sting nettle plants for beating the affected person.

                 The people also use sting nettle leaves for improving the numb body parts.

            Sting Nettle in inaugurating Clay Stove

      When there is first wood burning in newly built clay oven, people burn sting nettle leaves with wood as auspicious norms.

               There are various folk sayings, adjectives, metaphors related to sting nettle in Uttarakhand.

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti , Mumbai 2017