Uttarakhand and Mythological Lore

Uttarakhand and Mythological Lore

Uttarakhand and Mythological Lore : The Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, nestled in the lap of the mighty Himalayas, is a land steeped in mythology and ancient lore. Known for its natural beauty and serenity, Uttarakhand has been mentioned in the ancient Hindu scriptures and epics numerous times. The region finds mention in the Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas as well as other ancient texts. Several sages, gods and legendary characters from Hindu mythology have traversed the remote hills and valleys of this sacred land over different eras. From the Pandavas in Mahabharata to Lord Shiva and Parvati, Uttarakhand’s religious legacy is deeply rooted to its mythological connections.

The present day Uttarakhand consists of two main regions – Garhwal and Kumaon, each having its unique set of mythological stories and legends. The prominent pilgrimage sites like Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Hemkund Sahib and Nanakmatta are central to many famous mythological tales. The holy rivers Ganga and Yamuna originate from the glaciers of Uttarakhand and are revered in the Hindu tradition. The Panch Kedar temples, Panch Prayag confluences, Shakti Peethas and various other temples/ashrams established on hilltops showcase the state’s mythological importance. From celestial weapons of gods found in earth to demons killed by deities, Uttarakhand’s mythology is filled with captivating stories of gods and godly beings.

This article comprehensively covers the mythological legacy of Uttarakhand. It highlights the key myths, legends and lore associated with major religious sites as well as different regions of the state. The mythological links of Uttarakhand with Mahabharata, Ramayana and Puranas are also explored.

Mythological Significance of Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand and Mythological Lore : The Garhwal and Kumaon regions of Uttarakhand are of great mythological and religious significance. Several Hindu scriptures, epics and legends describe Uttarakhand as the “Land of Gods” inhabited by divine and mystical beings. Some prominent mythological aspects related to Uttarakhand are:

Abode of Gods

Uttarakhand finds mention in Hindu scriptures as the abode of gods and godly figures. Deities like Lord Shiva are believed to have wandered its remote hills and meditated in caves. Other gods like Dattatreya, Nara-Narayana are also associated with places in Uttarakhand.

Tapobhoomi

The land has been referred to as “Tapobhoomi” or the land of penance. Several sages and ascetics have performed intense tapasya in Uttarakhand. Some places like Gangotri and Yamunotri are linked to the penance of Goddess Ganga and Yamuna respectively.

Celestial Weapons

Myths state several celestial weapons of gods were given to Pandavas in Uttarakhand. These include Pashupatastra, Sudarshana Chakra, Kaal Danda etc. during their exile.

Godly Descents

Uttarakhand is also associated with incarnations of Lord Vishnu like Nara-Narayana, Dattatreya etc. It is said to be the place where Goddess Durga manifested as a young girl and later merged with Lord Shiva.

Battlegrounds

Several places in Uttarakhand like Gandhamadana Parvat, Badrinath etc were battlegrounds between gods and demons over different eras. These wars and their outcomes shaped the local myths and folklore.

Pilgrimage Network

The pilgrimage network (Char Dham) traces the mythical journey of saints and sages in Uttarakhand. It connects sacred places visited by spiritual figures.

Mythological Links with Hindu Epics

Uttarakhand finds mention in the two great Hindu Epics – the Mahabharata and Ramayana which are filled with captivating mythological tales.

Mahabharata

The Mahabharata epic holds a special place in Uttarakhand’s mythology and history. Some key mythological links are:

Exile of Pandavas

The five Pandava brothers along with wife Draupadi spent a significant duration of their exile in Uttarakhand. They visited places like Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri and Gandhamadana mountain.

Celestial Weapons

Legends state that lord Shiva granted Pashupatastra to Arjuna and also taught the intricacies of Gandharva Veda to the Pandavas during their exile at Badrikashrama. Lord Krishna obtained Sudarshana Chakra from Parshuram at a place near present day Champawat.

Yaksha Prashna

The Yaksha Prashna episode occurred when the Pandavas were in exile and went in search of water. Yudhisthir answers questions put forth by Yaksha (Yama disguised) and revives his brothers.

Battles

Some areas of Uttarakhand like Gandhamadana Parvat near Badrinath were battlegrounds between gods, demons, Pandavas and Kauravas over different periods.

Emergence of Rivers

The emergence of holy rivers like Ganga and Yamuna is attributed to the time when Bhagiratha brought Ganga to earth and the Pandavas dug up the ground near Yamunotri.

Ramayana

Uttarakhand also has mentions in the Ramayana through events like:

Exile of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana

It is believed Rama, Sita and Lakshmana spent time in the Panchvati forest near present day Chamoli district during their exile. A place called Ramganga Ghat near Karnaprayag is associated with their exile.

Sita Abducted from Panchvati

Myths state that Sita was abducted by Ravana from Panchvati when she crossed the Lakshmana Rekha drawn by Lakshmana. The place is located at the confluence of rivers Madmaheshwar Ganga and Sarju near Ghat village.

Bridge to the Heavens

Legends link the Ramayana hero Hanuman to places like Hanuman Chatti near Yamunotri. It is said Hanuman crossed Yamuna river over stones to reach heavens in search of Sanjeevani herb.

Ashramas of Sages

Several ashramas and places like Sita Bani, Lakshman Jhula, Vyasa Gufa near Badrinath have mythological links to the sage Vyasa and characters of Ramayana.

Shiva Temples

Some Shiva temples like Tungnath are believed to be over 1000 years old commemorating Rama’s ancestors. Rudranath is also part of the Panch Kedar temples established by Pandavas.

Prominent Mythological Sites

Uttarakhand and Mythological Lore : Uttarakhand has several religious sites and places intricately linked to famous mythological tales and legends.

Badrinath

Badrinath is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in India. The prominent myths related to Badrinath are:

• Lord Vishnu is believed to have performed penance here resulting in the Badri Van (berry garden) after which Badrinath is named.
• Legends state Lord Shiva originally resided here as a small boy. Later his wife Parvati took the form of a young girl to perform tapasya and reunite with Shiva.
• It is believed the Pandavas visited Badrinath and established the temple after Kurukshetra war on advice of Lord Krishna.
• The Badrinath temple and its deity are linked to Adi Shankaracharya who enshrined it in 8th century AD.

Kedarnath

The myths and stories related to Kedarnath are:

• After the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas wished to meet Shiva to seek forgiveness for killing their own brothers. Shiva eluded them and took the form of a bull/buffalo and dived into the ground at Kedarnath. The hump surfaced at Pashupatinath in Nepal while other parts of the body appeared at four places in Kedarnath valley that were established as Panch Kedar temples.
• At Kedarnath, the statues of Pandavas, Draupadi and Yudhishthir’s dog are present commemorating their journey to meet Lord Shiva.
• The trident (Trishul) present at Kedarnath temple is believed to have been thrown towards Bhim by Lord Shiva. It got stuck in the ground showing its immense power.

Gangotri and Yamunotri

The sacred origin places of River Ganga and Yamuna also have several mythological tales:

• Gangotri glacier is revered as the source of river Ganga which originated due to penance of Bhagirath for the moksha of his ancestors on Harsil hill.
• Myths state Yamuna originated from the tears of sage Asit Muni at Yamunotri. The Pandavas also dug up the Charanpaduka site near Yamunotri to bring Yamuna to earth.

Hemkund Sahib

Hemkund Sahib, the famous Sikh pilgrimage site has mythological links to the Pandava prince Lakshmana:

• Local legends and folk songs describe Hemkund as the place where Lakshmana performed meditation. It is called Lokpal (protector of people) by locals.
• The Lakshman Temple and Gurudwara commemorates his deep penance and sacrifice in harsh weather.

Panch Kedar Temples

This is a group of five temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in the Garhwal region:

• Mythology states that Pandavas wanted to make a temple for Lord Shiva, who eluded them by taking the form of a bull. The hump and parts of his body appeared at five places which were established as Panch Kedar temples by Pandavas.
• These places are Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar.

Panch Prayag

Panch Prayag refers to the five sacred river confluences in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand:

• The five river confluences of Vishnuprayag, Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag form the Panch Prayag pilgrimage sites.
• These are believed to be mystical sites capable of washing away sins. Several temples, ashrams and shrines are situated across these five prayag destinations.

Other Key Sites

Some other mythological and religious sites in Uttarakhand are:

• Vaishno Devi Temple, Almora: The Vaishno Devi here is considered the sister of the one at Jammu. It is over 1000 years old.
• Bagnath Temple, Srinagar: An ancient Shiva temple built in 14th century with myths linked to King Bhanu Pratap.
• Purnagiri Temple: Goddess Purnagiri temple near Champawat has a legend of the goddess defeating a demon at this spot.
• Pataleshwar Mahadev Cave Temple: The intriguing cave temple has mythological links to Pandavas and the five Panch Kedar temples.

Regional Myths and Legends

Different regions of Uttarakhand also have unique mythology and captivating legends:

Garhwal Myths

Some fascinating Garhwal myths are:

Birth of Garhwal

Myths state that sage Vashishta performed a Yagna here which was disrupted by Vishwamitra. This created a massive battle between gods and demons ultimately giving birth to the Garhwal region.

Dronashila

Legend has it that after the Kurukshetra war, Ashwatthama was cursed by Lord Krishna roaming the forests for 3000 years. Droñashila near Dehradun is linked to a rock cave where he meditated.

Origin of Chipko Movement

According to local Garhwal folklore, the Chipko movement originated in 1730 AD when Amrita Devi sacrificed her life to save trees. It is said her last words to her family were “Embrace the trees and save them”.

Goril-Gugul Myth

Myths in rural Garhwal talk about huge cannibal demons called Goril who used to terrorize remote hill villages. Gugul was a mystical hero with divine powers who fought and killed these demons.

Kumaon Myths

Some fascinating mythological tales from Kumaon region are:

Shiva Curse on Kumaon

According to legend, Lord Shiva had cursed Kumaon that it will always face natural disasters. This myth explains the region’s vulnerability to landslides, floods and earthquakes.

Golu Devta

Golu Devta is venerated as the God of Justice by locals in Kumaon. Myths state that his father Silwal Binayak promised justice to all. After his death, Golu Devta took the responsibility of fulfilling his father’s promise.

Origin of Himalayan Rivers

Kumaon myths have several legends on the mythical origins of sacred Himalayan rivers. These are linked to stories of sages, gods and goddesses over different eras.

Local Deities

Kumaon has rich folklore on terrifying ghosts, powerful witches and harmless spirits who control local villages. These myths are part of the local tradition and oral history.

Uttarakhand in the Puranas

The Puranas contain accounts of ancient Indian history and legends. Uttarakhand finds mention in several Puranas.

Skanda Purana

This Purana contains several chapters providing geographical and cultural details of Kedarnath along with its mythology. The origins of rivers, regional history, Maheshwar civilization, Pandavas exile and Shiva legends are covered.

Vamana Purana

This text mentions the Nanda Devi summit in the Himalayas being the source of holy rivers like Ganga. The Skanda and Vamana Purana point to the location of pilgrimage sites in present day Garhwal.

Padma Purana

The Padma Purana contains a detailed narration of the Badrikashrama Mahatmya legend which covers mythological tales linked to Badrinath. It includes stories of Nara-Narayana, Dattatreya as well as Kurma avatar of Lord Vishnu.

Brahma Purana

This Purana contains references to Kedar Khand which refers to the Kedarnath region of Garhwal. It talks about the importance of Kedarnath as an ancient pilgrimage site along with legends of Pandavas and Shiva.

Matsya Purana

The Matsya Purana references various legends on origins of Garhwal as a sacred land visited by gods, sages and legendary characters over different eras.

Conclusion to Uttarakhand and Mythological Lore

Uttarakhand and Mythological Lore, Uttarakhand’s sacred landscape carries the footprints of legendary mythological tales and characters across millennia. Its mountains, rivers, forests and remote valleys are intrinsically linked to Hindu beliefs and epic stories. From the Tapobhoomi of ancient sages to the modern Char Dham pilgrimage, Uttarakhand’s mythological fabric is deeply ingrained among locals and pilgrims. Its living mythology continues to capture human imagination while bringing people closer to their roots. The ancient mythology, enduring legends and timeless pilgrim routes will ensure Uttarakhand’s position as the abode of gods in popular imagination.

FAQ’s on Uttarakhand and Mythological Lore :

What are the prominent mythological places in Uttarakhand? 

Prominent mythological places include Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Hemkund Sahib, Panch Kedar temples and Panch Prayag confluences.

How is Uttarakhand linked to Mahabharata? 

Uttarakhand finds mention in Mahabharata through exile of Pandavas, legends of celestial weapons given to them, Yaksha Prashna episode and battles between gods, demons and Pandavas.

What are the mythological links of Uttarakhand with Ramayana? 

Uttarakhand is linked to Ramayana through exile of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana in forests near Badrinath, Sita’s abduction from Panchvati and myths related to sages like Vyasa.

Which Puranas contain mythological tales related to Uttarakhand? 

Skanda Purana, Vamana Purana, Padma Purana, Brahma Purana and Matsya Purana contain mythological tales and legends related to Uttarakhand region.