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THE FOLKLORE OF GUJARAT
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The Kadamb (Anthocephalus caduinba) is in the village of Vadàl near Bhiyàl in the considered sacred because it is believed that Jumàgadh State there is a banyan tree called God Krishna rested under this tree when he Lal Vad said to have sprung from the sticks took cattle to graze.
of a Vad (banyan) used as tooth brushes by The Limbdo (Nim tree) is also considered Làl Bàva, a preceptor of the Vaishnav school. sacred as it represents the god Brahma.? A silver staff and silver umbrella belonging to Some believe that it represents Jagannathji. | Lil Bàva are kept near this tree, which is
The Rudraksha is believed to be a represen- visited and worshipped by the followers of the tation of the god Shiva. It is therefore preceptor. 11 considered a sin to cut it. Garlands of Rudrà. It is related that in this Lal Vad there is an ksha beads are worn round the neck by the
opening through which the virtuous can pass devotees of Shiva.
to the other side, but not the sinful.12 The leaves of the Bel (Aegle marmelos) are There are two banyan trees near Anandpur, offered to the god Shiva as they are supposed
one of which is called Bhut-vad or the banyan to be liked by him. It is also considered a sin
tree of the evil spirits, as it is supposed to be to cut this tree.
inhabited by ghosts. The other is called VisalThe Karan (Mimuspos hexandra) is believed
vad, because a devotee named Visaman Bhagat to be a representation of Shiva. A grove of
lived under this tree,13 the Karan trees is supposed to be inhabited
There is a branch of the followers of Kabir by natural powers called Matàs and to cut a
called Khijada Panth. They worship the Karan is supposed to bring disaster to the
Khijada or Shami in their temples 14 cutter,5 The Maravo (Marjoram) is considered sacred
There is a belief that the sanctity attached by Musalmans. They dip its leaves into oil
to the Pipal tree has been the act of the god and rub them against the face of a corpse,
Krishna. This tree is invested with a sacred
thread.15 There is a temple of Bhimnàth Mahadev
According to tradition, Krishna breathed his near Baravàla in the shade of an ancient Jal tree. The worshipper at the temple, a wealthy
last under a Pipal tree.16
It is related that once blood gushed forth man, once thought of erecting a grand temple over the image, but he was prevented from
from a Pipal tree when it was cut. Thencedoing so by the god appearing in his dream
forward it came to be regarded as a Brāhnian and telling him that he preferred to live under and it is no longer cut.17 the tree,?.
There is a Pipal tree in the village of Prachi Under a Jal tree near Dhandhuka there is near Prabhas Pàtan, vows in whose honour a shrine of Bhimnath Shankar who is known are believed to favour childless persons with as Bhimnàth Jàlvàlo after the tree.8
children, 18 There is a Sakhotia tree near Kutiàna, which It is described in the Puranas that Savitri, is supposed to be the abode of a snake deity. the daughter of King Ashupati, lost her
Near Rajkot in Kathiàwdr there is a tree husband within a year after her marriage. called Gandu or mad, vows in honour of which the death took place under a banyan tree, by are said to cure children of bronchites 10 worshipping which, Savitri succeeded in revi1 The School Master of Todia.
The School Master of Zinzuvada. 3 The School Master of Dadvi.
4 The School Master of Vanod. 5 The School Master of Kolki.
6 The School Master of Dadvi, T The School Master of Dhank.
# The School Master of Kolki. 9 The School Mastar of Dbank.
10 The School Master of Dhank. 11 The School Master of Bhayvladar.
11 The School Master of Uptela. 13 The School Master of Anandpur.
14 The School Masters of Ganod and Khirasara. 15 The School Master of Dhànk
16 The School Master of Kolki. 11 Tbe School Master of Chbatrasa.
The School Master of Limbdi.
