Myths and Religious Importance of Khair, Catechu in Uttarakhand

Plant Myths, Religious Importance, and Traditions in Uttarakhand (Himalaya) – 19

By: Bhishma Kukreti, M.Sc. (Botany) (Mythology, Culture Research Scholar)

Botanical name –Acacia catechu

Local name – Khair

Hindi Name –Kttha Ped, Khair

Sanskrit name -Khadira

Economic benefits – Medicine for cough, cold, piles, bath by  kattha water for strengthening body of women after delivery. Uses for fodder, Fuel; furniture and household items, tanning and chewing with pan.

                   Myths, Religious Importance and Traditions

   Khair or catechu is one of the sacred plants of Uttarakhand.

     People use Kattha or Khair or catechu wood  in Yagya or Havan/homa.

 People also use Khair tree wood at funeral. People believe that Khair offer ‘mukti’ to deceased soul.

     Kattha in Vashikaran Mantra

  Tantric –Mantric use Kattha with pan, supari , lime for performing “Pan Vashikarn mantra . The Mantric recites following Mantra  purify Pan, Line, Kattha, Supari 28 times.

कुमाऊं -गढ़वाल में प्रचलित 'पान कत्था  वशीकरण'  मंत्र

(यह मंत्र बहुत ही कम प्रचलित है किन्तु आवश्यकता पड़ने पर मांत्रिक प्रयोग करते हैं )

ॐ नमो आदेस गुरु कूं, मेघ बर्ण पान ,शंख बर्ण चूना ,रक्त बर्ण खैर , बाटक बर्ण गोला , चार पे दशों ला दे ,हात दे ,त  छांगळ पेटी दे ,त पांगळ पेटीते ह्वे , अब घर छोड़ि दे , द्वार छोड़ि ,भाई बैण , सोनारा कामनी पगे लाई अमुके की ताताई , अमुके पास लाई फूरो मंत्र लूणो चमार की आण , शब्द साँचा पिंड कांचा , मेरी गुरु की भक्ति फुरो मंत्र ईश्वरा वाचा

 आभार -श्री वीरेंद्र जखमोला , जसपुर , गढ़वाल 

  There are also many folk songs wherein song creators illustrated Khair  as –

धारि  मा की उर्ख्याळी ए ,  ब्वे कुटेन्दि बि नी च

आलु झन्ग्वर ए , ब्वे कुटेन्दि बि नी च

खैराकी  गंजेळी ए , ब्वे उठेन्दि बि नी च 

-

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti, Mumbai 2017

-

Plant Myths  , Religious Importance, Traditions , Garhwal, Uttarakhand ; Plant Myths , Religious Importance, Traditions , Kumaon, Uttarakhand ;Plant Myths , Religious Importance, Traditions , Uttarakhand; Plant Myths , Religious Importance, Traditions , Uttarakhand, Himalaya; Plant Myths , Religious Importance, Traditions , Uttarakhand, North India; Plant Myths , Religious Importance, Traditions , Uttarakhand, South Asia