Mythology:

Himachal Pradesh
And Kerala
Himachal
Pradesh: The
Adobe of the Gods
A peak into its ancient mythology
The land of "Devtas"

• Himachal Pradesh is known as 'Dev Bhoomi' meaning 'the adobe of the Gods'. The people residing here have their own
local deity called "Devtas". These Devtas are believed to be the manifestation of Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. The
religious belief play central role in the community and impacts the overall livelihood of the people of Himachal Pradesh.
Originating from the very roots of nature these Devtas enjoy strong dominance over the day to day lives of the local
people. Many of them being named after the nature phenomena, aims at nature protection and established an
understanding of nature being
The legend of Bijat Maharaj Temple of
Sarain.
• The Bijat Maharaj Temple of Sarain was constructed in the 11th century. It is situated in Chambal Valley, 26 km from the
town of Chaupal. The temple is set amidst fields, apple orchards, small villages, and a deodar forest. Surrounded by two-
Storey buildings, the temple complex has two tall towers, side by side, of about four Storeys in height.
• The deity worshiped in this temple is Bijat Maharaj Devta, the ‘god of lightning’. This deity is also identified as the god of
prosperity and good health.
• According to legend, when the demon Asur Agyasur attacked Churdhar Peak and the temple of Shirgul,
the shakti (power) of God fell upon them in the form of bijli (lightning bolts) As a result, an idol fell to earth at Sarain,
and so a temple was built there which came to be known as the Bijat Maharaj Temple of Sarain.
Gugga Ji: The god who ruled over Bagad
Dedga
• The Gugga temple of Gugga Ji (also known as Gogaji) is a very elegant temple in Thaneek Pura, Una, Himachal Pradesh. The legend
is that Gugga ji was son of mother Bachhal and disciple of Guru Gorakhnath. He originated from Guggal as a result of Guru
Gorakhnath’s blessings.
• Gugga Rana killed Nags (Snakes) when they came to help them. He was very brave and his blue horse was quite loyal. His sister
Gugdi supported him at every step.
• He suffered the conspiracy of stepbrothers, which ultimately led him to murder his twin brothers. When he killed his stepbrothers,
his mother got hurt and out of anger asked him to leave the kingdom. Gugga ji respected his mother’s words and left forever. He
was never seen again by anybody
• The common belief is that worshiping Gugga Ji provides protection from Snakes.
Kerala: God's
Own Country
A short glance at its mythos
Kerala: The Land of Parasurama
• Several myths and legends persist concerning the origin of Kerala. One such myth is the creation of Kerala by Parasuram, a warrior
sage.
• He was the sixth of the ten avatars (incarnation) of Vishnu. The word Parasu means 'axe' in Sanskrit and therefore the name
Parasuram means 'Ram with Axe'. The aim of his birth was to deliver the world from the arrogant oppression of the ruling caste,
the Kshatriyas.
• After destroying the Kshatriya kings, he approached an assembly oflearned men to find a way of penitence for his sins. He was
advised that, to save his soul from damnation, he must hand over the lands he had conquered to the Brahmins. He did as they
advised and sat in meditation at Gokarnam. There, he was blessed by Varuna - the God of the Oceans and Bhumidevi - Goddess
of Earth.
• From Gokarnam he reached Kanyakumari and threw his axe northward across the ocean. The place where
the axe landed was Kerala. It was 160 katam (an old measure) of land lying between Gokarnam and
Kanyakumari.
• Puranas say that it was Parasuram who planted the 64 Brahmin families in Kerala, whom he brought
down from the north in order to expiate his slaughter of the Kshatriyas .
• According to the puranas, Kerala is also known as Parasurama Kshetram, ie., 'The Land of Parasurama's, as
the land was reclaimed from sea by him.
The Rule of Mahabali: The Golden Era of
Prosperity
• Onam is associated with the legendary king Mahabali (Maveli), who according to tradition and Puranas, ruled the Earth and several
other planetary systems from Kerala.
• Contrary to the general concept about Asuras, who are embodiments of wickedness and depravity, Mahabali is known for his
rectitude, goodness and benevolence.
• The rule of Mahabali brought peace and prosperity to the land. The fame and power of the king increased day to day. This
growing greatness of an asura made the Gods concerned and jealous and they sought the help of Maha Vishnu, whom Mahabali
worshiped.
• Lord Vishnu assumed the form of a Brahmin boy and approached Mahabali. He asked the King three strides of land, which the
King readily agreed.
• Soon the boy began to grow to such a height that his first pace covered the whole of the 14 worlds and
the second covered the sky and all that was left. Realizing that Vamana's third step will destroy the Earth,
Mahabali asked him to place the last step on his head and thus he was stamped to the nether world.
• But before doing so, Vamana offered Mahabali with a boon -to visit his subject once every year. This was
the origin of Kerala's most important cultural event and festival - Onam. It is the time when the exiled
king returns for a brief sojourn in his former kingdom and visit his beloved subjects.
• Onam reminds the people of a blissful, affluent and harmonious era.