Karthik's POV:

I was again brought by Ajji (grandma) to the same old village demigod's temple to pray and take blessings.

I always wondered why was I brought here everytime I came from Delhi to Udupi. But my Ajji always told me
'Amma is our protector'

I would smile. I am someone who believes in science and doesn't believe in things which science couldn't explain. But who can argue with Ajji.

She made me offer coconut and asked me to pray. I did as instructed by my Ajji

***

'Ajji don't feel bad...why do you believe so much in this demigoddess temple?'

My Ajji smiled saying...
'I know you don't believe in god or demigod.'

'No Ajji...it's just that I believe in something I've seen or experienced' I said and she smiled serving me some more Rasam and pallya (curry)...

'Karthik so you need a story to believe in?'

'Experiences Daadi not story'

To which Ajji smiled and said..
'Ok listen to it as a story itself...but it's a real one...want to listen?' she asked

And I nodded.
I laid down in my Ajji's lap and she began narrating...

'Ages ago when there was no electricity, transport, no lavish lifestyle...this happened in those times...

There was a man in a village who migrated to a different city, started a clothing line and became rich. He was married to a young chirpy girl who was very innocent.

They were happy and content. Their happiness doubled when they discovered the young chirpy wife of his was pregnant.

4 months of pregnant wife of his wanted to offer pooja to their demigoddess, god and offerings were planned and as part of that the girl visited the guy's ancestral village.

She was also from a neighbouring village before marriage. Born to an extremely powerful astrologer. Someone so glorious and so powerful who could even predict future so accurately. He had seen analysed her horoscope well and got her married. Although she lived in a protected background her life was exciting, her village was fun and joyful where as here everyone looked strict unlike other's she was a chatterbox.

She sat hours together till midnight listening to ladies gossiping. Getting bored she went to sleep.

Midnight she got up to pee but as there was no electricity during those times and the washroom a few steps away from their home. She had to walk. Being pregnant her mother in law had strictly told her to take along someone while stepping out in the dark. Also she was warned to not talk to strangers.

She tried waking up her sister in law but she was in deep slumber.
For a while she thought
..
'What is the big deal...let me walk' and she picked a lantern and began taking slow steps lifting her saree lightly.

On the way to washroom she was left quiesced.

As she saw a lady in red saree, loads of jewellery, long hair touching her waist left open passing diagonal to her.

Being the curious one she couldn't help it and voiced out...

'Namaste ji... where are you going'

But she got no reply. However the 'Ghal Ghal' sound of her heavy anklets stopped. She however did not turn around and kept looking in the other direction.

The lady's back was facing her.

Being the extremely talkative one she continued...
'What are you doing here? I was said no one roams around here in midnight, but you are here with such heavy jewellery and saree, don't you feel hot ??? And do you think this is safe?'

To which in reply she was told...
'This is my place...'

But again the girl was curious...
'Why are you not turning around... please turn around I want to see your beautiful face'

To which she didn't get a response

'Please turn around... Why are you not... come on I want you to see me'

And next minute she turned around and the girl was shocked.

The lady was with a beautiful face and a huge red bindi.
She was so beautiful that the girl couldn't control herself but say...

'You are so beautiful...'

To which the lady said...
'Why are you here?'

'I am going to washroom...I saw you so spoke to you'

'You crossed my path' she said and left and the girl came back and slept off.

4 months later...

Her father was looking into her horoscope while she was happily eating morsels from her mother's hands while her father saw a major difference in her horoscope.

He was worried.

He stood up asking when is the Kola (Pooja) to your family demigoddess in your Village.

She smiled saying...'Two days later'

And he said her 'Then we are going to your village today.

***

The Kola was happening in its full aura and high glory when her father accompanied her.

Her father waited till the demigoddess was ready for Udharan (Speak out).

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Dearest Readers,

This is a new attempt of a new genre.
I hope you like it.
If not please let me know.

I'm a strong believer in what I'm writing and I wouldn't tolerate any comments which sound to be teasing or funny as with Bhoota Kola and demigods lies my beliefs too.

It's my tradition and I always wanted to share more on this. Ofcourse it's a big subject in itself but I'm giving a glimpse of it in this chapter.

Ofcourse many more would come if you like this.

Let me know if you want me to write Part 2 of this story.

About Bhoota Kola:

Bhoota Kola is an Animist form of Spirit worship from the coastal districts of Tulu Nadu and some parts of malenadu of Karnataka and Kasargod in Northern Kerala, India. The dance is highly stylized and held in honor of the local deities worshiped by the Tulu speaking population. It's not a simple dance form or a stage act.
It's a prayer when we believe demigod, god or spirits protecting a household or a village are worshipped and they possess a person who prays to become the medium and answers to protect the family or the believers of Bhoota.

Bhootas or daivas as called, are not worshipped on a daily basis like mainstream Hindu gods. Their worship is restricted to annual ritual festivals, or monthly rituals though daily pūjās may be conducted for the ritual objects, ornaments, and other paraphernalia of the Bhoota Unlike with the better-known Hindu gods of the purāṇic variety, būta worship is congregational.

It is as pure and powerful as that of worshiping God. They are believed to protect the families they belong to or the village who believe in and are also been prayed to by people in the surrounding area. They are respected as the ancestors and are called Appe (Mother) Amme (Father) or Ajja (grandfather) in Tulu language mostly spoken in Southern part of Karnataka like Mangalore, Udupi, Kundapur.

Bhoota Aradhane (prayer) and Naaga (Cobra) Aaradhane are the most purest forms or praying to God and are believed to be highly powerful.

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