Legend

A few years ago I had voluntered at an event arranged by a charitable organisation. For that charitable event I was required to travel 100 KM to a remote village. This village was not far away from my city however it was still underdeveloped. The charitable event was to distribute school essentials to the students of that village.

When I reached the place of the event I saw that the distribution of the stationary was going to take place at a temple. The temple was of Lord Shiva. It was a specious temple. The temple was surrounded by scenic mountains. Being away from city the temple was peaceful. I felt tranquil at that place.

Before entering the temple we were asked to wash our hand and feet. While we were about to enter the temple my friend Asha called me, "come here quickly. You need to see this". She looked ecstatic, so I was expecting to see an animal or plant. I was hoping to see a cat, chicken, or rabbits. But what I saw surprised me.

A few metres away from the temple was a banyan tree. A platform was built around the tree. On the platform was placed an object that look like a human skull. On that human skull flowers had been placed. A bowl of sweet had also been offered. The incense stick and garlands had been indicating that this structure had been worshipped. The visual looked mysterious and frightening.

I swallowed hard. Sweat broke on my forehead looking at it. A local, Mangesh was with us who was supposed to lead that event. I approached him to ask him about the structure I just saw. Mangesh casually told me, "oh that is Bhootnath".

I could not understand how easily he dismissed it. I wanted to ensure that it is not dangerous. I asked Mangesh to tell me more in detail.

Mangesh narrated, "Bhootnath is a local legend. We have heard stories that he was a notorious entity residing in this village. He would break pots, push people making them fall, slap people, trouble children, hit the animals, push the utensils and destroy food. He had terrorized the whole village. One wise elder adviced the Panchayat to build the temple of Lord Shiva to get rid of this paranormal being. While the temple was being built, the head of the Panchayat, Sarpanch had a dream. He saw the spirit in his dream. The spirit accepted his defeat and requested to build a small space for him at the bottom of the temple. He promised that he would stop troubling the villagers and protect the village. He surrender to Mahadev. That is why a small space was built for him and we call him Bhootnath".

Mangesh had more to add, "the villagers believe that Bhootnath is no longer harmful. They worship him. Also it is a custom to offer prayers to Bhootnath before entering the temple. I suggest you do so".

I was awestruck with this amazing story. I believe in god as well as evil powers. I believed in this story. Any being who surrenders to the higher power is respectable to me. I bowed down before Bhootnath.

This experience told me that people can be forgiving if they decide to. The legends live among us to teach the values of respect, emapthy, compassion, coexistence, and kindness. This story restored my faith in humanity.