Dear Friends,
I am starting this thread to share ghost stories with all of you. Here, we can post the true incidents that happened in our lives, as well as the incidents we heard about from others.
I request one and all not to make fun here. If they share their stuff, I am very happy for that.
Looking forward to the response from all of you.
From India, Madras
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13I am starting this thread to share ghost stories with all of you. Here, we can post the true incidents that happened in our lives, as well as the incidents we heard about from others.
I request one and all not to make fun here. If they share their stuff, I am very happy for that.
Looking forward to the response from all of you.
From India, Madras
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As Sally walked into the hotel room and looked around, she saw that a strange TV on the wall was on. She looked at the TV and noticed a figure with red eyes, red circle squiggles on its cheeks, and a stux suit on the screen. She then said to the strange figure, "Hello." "Greetings," said the Figure. "Would you like to play a game?" "A game?" asked Sally. "Yes, a game to see if you can survive." "Uh, sure," said Sally again. "Let the games begin," announced the Figure. "The first test is to see if you can escape."
Then Sally felt a cold chill in her ankle, looked down, and noticed that water was flooding everywhere in the hotel room. "What's going on?" Sally asked. "See if you can solve the puzzle of the key locks and make it out of the room before you drown." Sally then ran straight to the room, started looking for the keys, and noticed that they were hanging on a pole in the right-hand corner of the room. Sally ran up to the pole, realizing that the water was already halfway close to the ceiling. She took a deep breath, dove down into the water, and tried every key combination she could think of. Finally, she got all the keys into the holes, and by the time she was able to open the door, water flooded all around the hallway, causing her to pass out.
Twenty-five minutes later, she found herself in the hotel hospital and heard the phone ring. She picked it up and answered, "Hello." "Did you enjoy the game?" a voice said over the other line.
From India, Delhi
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Then Sally felt a cold chill in her ankle, looked down, and noticed that water was flooding everywhere in the hotel room. "What's going on?" Sally asked. "See if you can solve the puzzle of the key locks and make it out of the room before you drown." Sally then ran straight to the room, started looking for the keys, and noticed that they were hanging on a pole in the right-hand corner of the room. Sally ran up to the pole, realizing that the water was already halfway close to the ceiling. She took a deep breath, dove down into the water, and tried every key combination she could think of. Finally, she got all the keys into the holes, and by the time she was able to open the door, water flooded all around the hallway, causing her to pass out.
Twenty-five minutes later, she found herself in the hotel hospital and heard the phone ring. She picked it up and answered, "Hello." "Did you enjoy the game?" a voice said over the other line.
From India, Delhi
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Hi ,
Another Story !! This is not my experience . I Got an mail
His Heart Was Still In Ireland
In July 1997, I received a telephone call from a cheerful lady who was answering my newspaper ad for autographs and old documents. This is my actual means of making a living. I have been a collector and dealer of autographs for over 25 years. She stated she lived in Thurmont, Maryland and that she had a steamer trunk full of artifacts and documents, mostly from the late 1800’s. We made an appointment for me to come to her home the following day.
It was late afternoon when I arrived and the first thing I noticed was the house, a beautiful Victorian style house painted deep brown with many high hedges and thick pines. A stereotypical “haunted house” we used to see in the old horror movies. I parked the car in the front and walked up the steep pavement and porch steps, each footstep on the porch creaked and moaned. I knocked on the large wooden door and almost immediately the door opened and a pleasant woman reached out her hand for mine and introduced herself. “Just call me Mary, everybody else does” she said. I said “OK, Mary. Thank you for inviting me to your wonderful home.” That was no overstatement, this place was like a step into the past…gasoliers, pedestal sinks, sconces, bronzes, etc.
She motioned to the large sitting room where a steamer chest was sitting by a beautiful daybed. She explained that her late father had collected the contents and simply placed everything in the steamer trunk. He had an interest in documents that described historic events. As well, he had collected several older autographs. The trunk was used by him when he immigrated from Ireland in the 1918.
I opened the lid and was hit in the face by the typical musty aroma of old paper. I started to sift through the items and quickly read over the papers to see exactly what was before me. Many of the items were personal letters written in Gaelic. Included were soldiers correspondence from France, no doubt during the First World War. Then I came across a 7x9 inch photo of King George V of Great Britain that was signed by the monarch. As I touched the piece, I knew there was a history behind it.
I sat motionless for a minute or so, long enough to be noticed by Mary. She inquired if anything was wrong? I told her that I got a sense of hatred and pain when I touched this photograph. She then noticed what I was holding and sighed….then tried to hold back tears. I explained to her that I was able to sense residual feelings and events and that I had performed paranormal investigations for many years. She smiled and told me why she was displaying tearful emotions.
Mary explained that her father was a member of the Irish resistance in Dublin and that he had always blamed King George V for the death of his brother during the 1916 “Easter Rising”. Her father was also captured by the British troops but managed to escape and make his way to the United States. He always wanted to go back to Ireland to reunite with family but was afraid that he would still be considered a fugitive. He eventually got married and raised a family. He worked as a gunsmith and bricklayer. Mary said he would pace in his study daily wondering how his friends and family in Ireland were getting along. In 1935, he had gathered enough money together to visit Ireland after he had received a visa. Then tragedy struck when her father suffered a severe stroke. The money he saved for his trip was used for his cremation and funeral.
Mary then stood up and said “please, follow me.” We walked down the hallway into a study and library. “This is where my father resides.” Mary stated. “I hear his footsteps and moans every night.” I was speechless. I asked her if she would mind if I tried to communicate with her father. She said “No, that’s not necessary. He wouldn’t understand…besides, he talks to me every evening.”
I did purchase the items and the steamer trunk. The signed photograph of King George V of Great Britain remains in my collection and continues to remind me of the sad Irish immigrant who simply wanted to see home one more time.
NOTE: this incident actually took place as described. Mary's recall of history may not have been totally correct but I felt that the encounter should be written as stated in her words. I continued to purchase pieces from Mary for several years after our original meeting. Sadly, Mary passed away in 2002 while on holiday...in Ireland. I was told her father's ashes were sent to Ireland to be mixed with Mary's ashes and scattered at an undisclosed location...Lon
From India, Madras
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Another Story !! This is not my experience . I Got an mail
His Heart Was Still In Ireland
In July 1997, I received a telephone call from a cheerful lady who was answering my newspaper ad for autographs and old documents. This is my actual means of making a living. I have been a collector and dealer of autographs for over 25 years. She stated she lived in Thurmont, Maryland and that she had a steamer trunk full of artifacts and documents, mostly from the late 1800’s. We made an appointment for me to come to her home the following day.
It was late afternoon when I arrived and the first thing I noticed was the house, a beautiful Victorian style house painted deep brown with many high hedges and thick pines. A stereotypical “haunted house” we used to see in the old horror movies. I parked the car in the front and walked up the steep pavement and porch steps, each footstep on the porch creaked and moaned. I knocked on the large wooden door and almost immediately the door opened and a pleasant woman reached out her hand for mine and introduced herself. “Just call me Mary, everybody else does” she said. I said “OK, Mary. Thank you for inviting me to your wonderful home.” That was no overstatement, this place was like a step into the past…gasoliers, pedestal sinks, sconces, bronzes, etc.
She motioned to the large sitting room where a steamer chest was sitting by a beautiful daybed. She explained that her late father had collected the contents and simply placed everything in the steamer trunk. He had an interest in documents that described historic events. As well, he had collected several older autographs. The trunk was used by him when he immigrated from Ireland in the 1918.
I opened the lid and was hit in the face by the typical musty aroma of old paper. I started to sift through the items and quickly read over the papers to see exactly what was before me. Many of the items were personal letters written in Gaelic. Included were soldiers correspondence from France, no doubt during the First World War. Then I came across a 7x9 inch photo of King George V of Great Britain that was signed by the monarch. As I touched the piece, I knew there was a history behind it.
I sat motionless for a minute or so, long enough to be noticed by Mary. She inquired if anything was wrong? I told her that I got a sense of hatred and pain when I touched this photograph. She then noticed what I was holding and sighed….then tried to hold back tears. I explained to her that I was able to sense residual feelings and events and that I had performed paranormal investigations for many years. She smiled and told me why she was displaying tearful emotions.
Mary explained that her father was a member of the Irish resistance in Dublin and that he had always blamed King George V for the death of his brother during the 1916 “Easter Rising”. Her father was also captured by the British troops but managed to escape and make his way to the United States. He always wanted to go back to Ireland to reunite with family but was afraid that he would still be considered a fugitive. He eventually got married and raised a family. He worked as a gunsmith and bricklayer. Mary said he would pace in his study daily wondering how his friends and family in Ireland were getting along. In 1935, he had gathered enough money together to visit Ireland after he had received a visa. Then tragedy struck when her father suffered a severe stroke. The money he saved for his trip was used for his cremation and funeral.
Mary then stood up and said “please, follow me.” We walked down the hallway into a study and library. “This is where my father resides.” Mary stated. “I hear his footsteps and moans every night.” I was speechless. I asked her if she would mind if I tried to communicate with her father. She said “No, that’s not necessary. He wouldn’t understand…besides, he talks to me every evening.”
I did purchase the items and the steamer trunk. The signed photograph of King George V of Great Britain remains in my collection and continues to remind me of the sad Irish immigrant who simply wanted to see home one more time.
NOTE: this incident actually took place as described. Mary's recall of history may not have been totally correct but I felt that the encounter should be written as stated in her words. I continued to purchase pieces from Mary for several years after our original meeting. Sadly, Mary passed away in 2002 while on holiday...in Ireland. I was told her father's ashes were sent to Ireland to be mixed with Mary's ashes and scattered at an undisclosed location...Lon
From India, Madras
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Hi all,
Long time, no stories! What happened to all of you? One question to all of you... why does a spirit possess a person or follow a person? I had my colleague (a Malayali girl), she was followed by a Gandharvan. I hope you all know what a Gandharvan is. He liked her and was behind her. Her boyfriend was meeting with frequent accidents because of Gandharvan. He did not want her to marry him, so she struggled a lot. It took her 5 years to complete a ritual to get rid of him. He was not allowing her to go to Kerala and perform the rituals. She suffered a lot.
Why did this happen to her? She was drying her hair on the terrace after taking a head bath at 11:00 pm. She had gone to the terrace with her hair left loose. This is where Gandharvan caught her... So girls, don't do this in your life.
From India, Madras
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Long time, no stories! What happened to all of you? One question to all of you... why does a spirit possess a person or follow a person? I had my colleague (a Malayali girl), she was followed by a Gandharvan. I hope you all know what a Gandharvan is. He liked her and was behind her. Her boyfriend was meeting with frequent accidents because of Gandharvan. He did not want her to marry him, so she struggled a lot. It took her 5 years to complete a ritual to get rid of him. He was not allowing her to go to Kerala and perform the rituals. She suffered a lot.
Why did this happen to her? She was drying her hair on the terrace after taking a head bath at 11:00 pm. She had gone to the terrace with her hair left loose. This is where Gandharvan caught her... So girls, don't do this in your life.
From India, Madras
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Pretham (Ghost): The Element of Air
The pretham (soul) of a person who commits suicide hovers around the place where he took his life or by the side of his house. The marine Hindu fisherfolk believes that when a pretham enters the body of a person he begins to act like a lunatic. When such symptoms appear, the Kaniyan (village astrologer), is immediately consulted, to identify the pretham and locate his abode. The astrologer, after identifying the spirits, directs the next of kin to contact a particular Mantravadi (sorcerer) for conducting a Homam (propitiatory rite) in order to get rid of the pretham. Accordingly, the Mantravadi is invited to perform the Homam. The Mantravadi draws a kalam (cabbalistic figure) in the courtyard with coloured powders. The figures of the supposed Pretham, Gandharvan and his wife Yakshi are drawn in the kalam. The Homam is performed after this. The belief is that once the propitiatory rites are conducted the pretham is consigned to flames. Sometimes an amulet is prepared for wearing around the waist of the possessed.
Akasa Gandharvan: Personification of the Sky
The supernatural power of Akasa Gandharvan, an ethereal goblin of the Mappila fisherfolk of Tanur, is described in my monograph, The Mappela Fisherfolk of Kerala. The Hindu fishermen believe that the Akasa Gandharvan is responsible for causing dissention between Lord Krishna and Arjuna. Krishna Kunhu, my Araya informant, said that Akasa Gandharvan possessed supernatural powers. Once when Krishna was offering prayers taking water in his right hand, the Gandharvan appeared in the sky in his chariot and disturbed the Lord’s mind. The Lord’s prayer stopped as froth from the Gandharvan’s horse’s mouth fell on his palm, thus polluting the water. Krishna became infuriated and vowed to teach the Gandharvan a lesson for his misbehaviour, and kill him before the sunset. Hearing this the Gandharvan was distressed. In order to save his life, he approached Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, but they did not oblige. Meanwhile, Narada appeared on the scene and advised the Gandharvan to seek the help of Arjuna who was spending his life incognito in the mountains along with his brothers. Narada then informed Krishna that the Gandharvan had gone to Arjuna’s abode and decided to bring about a solution. He appeared in disguise before Arjuna and told him to go to sleep when Krishna killed the Gandharvan. He promised that he would restore the life of the Gandharvan. Krishna killed the Gandharvan before sunset as promised, but his life was restored by Brahma at once. Thus, the Hindu fishermen believe that the Gandharvan is still at large.
Kadutha: Ethereal Element
The Aryans of Cochin believe in a large number of spirits like Kuttichathan, Karumkutty, Pookutty and Kalladimuthan. The spirits of the dead wizards belonging to different castes like the Nairs, Irvas and Cherumans or Pulayans are also capable of making mischief, it is believed. For instance, the Aryans of Elangkunnapuzha propitiated on all important occasions Kadutha the spirit of a dead Nair sorcerer of the village. The spirit is housed in a shrine. This Nair sorcerer is believed to be a great devotee of Lord Ayyappan, whose shrine is at Sabarimala Kerala. Thus, Kadutha is worshipped by the Aryans for getting bumper catches and warding off diseases. Special propitiatory rites are performed in Kadutha’s honour. The oracle of Kadutha dances before the shrine and predicts whether or not there will be good catches and about the recovery of the sick.
Marutha: Ethereal Spirit
The Aryans of Elangkunnapuzha believe that Marutha, the spirit of a Pulaya woman sorcerer, has supernatural powers in curing incurable diseases and preventing capsizing of boats at sea and getting bumper catches. Sometimes the Aryans worship her by making special offerings of liquor and meat ostensibly for getting ownership in fishing units. During the Mandalam (fast days from first of Vrichikam to the tenth of Dhanu), Marutha is offered beaten rice, puffed rice, molasses, plantains and camphor. It is interesting to note that although Marutha is the spirit of the Pulaya woman (scheduled caste), she is housed in a special shrine by the Aryans and propitiated on all important occasions, besides offering special worship.
Kotha: Ethereal Element
The Aryans of Elangkunnapuzha say that the spirit Kotha possesses miraculous powers in curing illnesses and saving the fishermen from hazards of the sea. Kotha is the spirit of a departed woman sorcerer who belonged to the Pulaya caste (agrestic serf). She is believed to be the sister of Marutha. The spirit is frequently worshipped by the Aryans by offering liquor and meat. A shrine has been built in her honour in the village for offering worship to her. During the Mandalam period only vegetarian dishes are offered to gods and goblins
From India, Madras
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The pretham (soul) of a person who commits suicide hovers around the place where he took his life or by the side of his house. The marine Hindu fisherfolk believes that when a pretham enters the body of a person he begins to act like a lunatic. When such symptoms appear, the Kaniyan (village astrologer), is immediately consulted, to identify the pretham and locate his abode. The astrologer, after identifying the spirits, directs the next of kin to contact a particular Mantravadi (sorcerer) for conducting a Homam (propitiatory rite) in order to get rid of the pretham. Accordingly, the Mantravadi is invited to perform the Homam. The Mantravadi draws a kalam (cabbalistic figure) in the courtyard with coloured powders. The figures of the supposed Pretham, Gandharvan and his wife Yakshi are drawn in the kalam. The Homam is performed after this. The belief is that once the propitiatory rites are conducted the pretham is consigned to flames. Sometimes an amulet is prepared for wearing around the waist of the possessed.
Akasa Gandharvan: Personification of the Sky
The supernatural power of Akasa Gandharvan, an ethereal goblin of the Mappila fisherfolk of Tanur, is described in my monograph, The Mappela Fisherfolk of Kerala. The Hindu fishermen believe that the Akasa Gandharvan is responsible for causing dissention between Lord Krishna and Arjuna. Krishna Kunhu, my Araya informant, said that Akasa Gandharvan possessed supernatural powers. Once when Krishna was offering prayers taking water in his right hand, the Gandharvan appeared in the sky in his chariot and disturbed the Lord’s mind. The Lord’s prayer stopped as froth from the Gandharvan’s horse’s mouth fell on his palm, thus polluting the water. Krishna became infuriated and vowed to teach the Gandharvan a lesson for his misbehaviour, and kill him before the sunset. Hearing this the Gandharvan was distressed. In order to save his life, he approached Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, but they did not oblige. Meanwhile, Narada appeared on the scene and advised the Gandharvan to seek the help of Arjuna who was spending his life incognito in the mountains along with his brothers. Narada then informed Krishna that the Gandharvan had gone to Arjuna’s abode and decided to bring about a solution. He appeared in disguise before Arjuna and told him to go to sleep when Krishna killed the Gandharvan. He promised that he would restore the life of the Gandharvan. Krishna killed the Gandharvan before sunset as promised, but his life was restored by Brahma at once. Thus, the Hindu fishermen believe that the Gandharvan is still at large.
Kadutha: Ethereal Element
The Aryans of Cochin believe in a large number of spirits like Kuttichathan, Karumkutty, Pookutty and Kalladimuthan. The spirits of the dead wizards belonging to different castes like the Nairs, Irvas and Cherumans or Pulayans are also capable of making mischief, it is believed. For instance, the Aryans of Elangkunnapuzha propitiated on all important occasions Kadutha the spirit of a dead Nair sorcerer of the village. The spirit is housed in a shrine. This Nair sorcerer is believed to be a great devotee of Lord Ayyappan, whose shrine is at Sabarimala Kerala. Thus, Kadutha is worshipped by the Aryans for getting bumper catches and warding off diseases. Special propitiatory rites are performed in Kadutha’s honour. The oracle of Kadutha dances before the shrine and predicts whether or not there will be good catches and about the recovery of the sick.
Marutha: Ethereal Spirit
The Aryans of Elangkunnapuzha believe that Marutha, the spirit of a Pulaya woman sorcerer, has supernatural powers in curing incurable diseases and preventing capsizing of boats at sea and getting bumper catches. Sometimes the Aryans worship her by making special offerings of liquor and meat ostensibly for getting ownership in fishing units. During the Mandalam (fast days from first of Vrichikam to the tenth of Dhanu), Marutha is offered beaten rice, puffed rice, molasses, plantains and camphor. It is interesting to note that although Marutha is the spirit of the Pulaya woman (scheduled caste), she is housed in a special shrine by the Aryans and propitiated on all important occasions, besides offering special worship.
Kotha: Ethereal Element
The Aryans of Elangkunnapuzha say that the spirit Kotha possesses miraculous powers in curing illnesses and saving the fishermen from hazards of the sea. Kotha is the spirit of a departed woman sorcerer who belonged to the Pulaya caste (agrestic serf). She is believed to be the sister of Marutha. The spirit is frequently worshipped by the Aryans by offering liquor and meat. A shrine has been built in her honour in the village for offering worship to her. During the Mandalam period only vegetarian dishes are offered to gods and goblins
From India, Madras
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Gulikan: Ethereal Element
Gulikan or Mandi is propitiated by the Hindu fishermen all over Kerala. The Gulikan is connected with diseases and death. Horoscopes are cast by every Hindu of Kerala in which the position of the Gulikan is clearly indicated. The Gulikan's position indicates when the person will die. When death occurs in a fisherman's house, it is customary to plant a stone outside the house representing the Gulikan. An informant informed me that the stone representing the Gulikan will never be installed in the room reserved for ancestors or in any of the house. However, the fishermen believe that once the Gulikan is propitiated by installing a stone on the earthen platform, it will prevent death. The Gulikan is generally worshipped to get big fishes like etta and avoli. They vow to conduct a special puja in honor of the Gulikan by offering etta and avoli. They fulfill their vow by making votive offerings when they get these species of fish. The Gulikan is periodically propitiated by the offer of kuruthi (water mixed with turmeric and lime), today, bananas, and flowers. A wick lamp is lighted for the worship. A red fowl and a ram are sacrificed in the Gulikan's honor on important festive occasions like Omam and Vishu. Sometimes, the oracle of the Gulikan, in trance, directs the fishermen to handle times of crisis. The oracle reveals the causes of illness and discloses the remedy.
The Mukkuvans of Malabar believe that there are four kinds of Gulikans: Brahma Gulikan, Vishnu Gulikan, Abhimanyu Gulikan, Asura Gulikan. They further believe that if the Asura Gulikan is displeased, tensions in the family are bound to arise, besides infights among the members of the crew. In such cases, the Mukkuvans consult the kaniyan (village astrologer) and seek their advice to ward off the wrath of the enraged Asura Gulikan. The kaniyan prescribes the remedy in the form of a magical rite called Puramneekkal, which is similar to Uzhinhu Vangal. A magician is invited to conduct this rite. The articles required for the purpose prescribed by the magician and the astrologer are: a cooked fried fish (etta, aikkora, and narimeen), coconut oil, potato, lady-finger, bengal gram, beaten rice, puffed rice, etc. A thigh of the cock is roasted in the fire and given to the Asura Gulikan. The total expenditure for conducting the rite comes to Rs. 100.
Brahma Gulikan: Ethereal Element
The Brahma Gulikan is worshipped for getting bumper catches and also for warding off the misfortunes and illness caused by him. Sometimes the Mukkuvans call the Brahma Gulikan as Brahma Yakshasu, the spirit of a dead Brahman. The Mukkuvans believe that the Brahma Gulikan is capable of causing the separation of a husband and wife. An amulet is prepared by the magician and given to the patient to wear or a Puramneekkal ceremony is conducted to appease him. Sometimes the mantram 'Oh Gulika, Brahma Gulika, Vishnu Gulika, Asmara Gulika, and Abhimanyu Gulika' is chanted for 21 times over a string for putting on the waist of the patient. The same mantram is written 21 times on a copper plate, and an amulet is prepared for wearing. Sometimes rice powder mixed with molasses is given to the Brahma Gulikan to appease his wrath. The Mukkuvans say that the Vishnu Gulikan and Abhimanyu Gulikan are not wicked. The Abhimanyu Gulikan is the spirit of Abhimanyu, son of Arjuna, who died in the Kurukshetra war.
Pottanmar: Ethereal Element
The Mukkuvans of Malabar believe that Pottanmar are the bodyguards of the Goddess Bhadrakali. They are propitiated on festive occasions like Mandalam, Karkitaka Sankranti, and Sivarathri. Pottanmar are offered vegetarian dishes consisting of balls of rice, jaggery, and coconut. The ordained oracle of the Pottanmar speaks a mukabhasha (gesture language) in their frenzy and declare what offerings would please the Goddess. They predict future events that affect the fishermen and divine the causes of illness in their families.
KANDAKARANAN
The Mukkuvans of Malabar hold that Kandakaranan is the defense minister of Bhadrakali. They say the deity does not like meat and liquor. It seems he has been elevated as a Sanskrit deity. The main offerings of Kandakaranan consist of boiled rice, jaggery, and coconut. He is worshipped for getting bumper catches, getting rid of illness, particularly smallpox, and for protection from the hazards of the sea. The Izhvas of Palghat propitiate this deity by sacrificing a fowl.
Kadalamma: Water-element
The Aryans of the Kanjirachera village, Alleppey district, perform an annual festival called Ponkala in honor of Kadalamma (mother or Goddess of the sea). It is reported that this ceremony is also conducted by the fishermen of Trivandrum Quilon and southern parts of Ernakulam. Ponkala, the cooking of rice or pudding in the open air by women, is an offering to Kadalamma, who is worshipped daily. A mandapam (open shed) is erected for this. The offerings consist of flattened rice, puffed rice, jaggery and navadhanyam (nine pulses), ghee, camphor, benzoin, sugarcane, and coconuts. The mandapam is decorated with tender coconuts and mango leaves before the actual ceremony. Fisherwomen who have reached their menopause assemble on the morning of the forty-first day at the seacoast with ponkala pots containing the necessary rice, jaggery, coconut, and firewood. The ladies cooking the ponkala should abstain from sexual intercourse and observe vegetarianism for the day. Two kinds of ponkala are prepared, one with rice, jaggery, coconut shavings, and plantains, and the other without jaggery. Forty-one women participated in the festival of 1971 at the Kanjiranchera village in Alleppey. Each lady cooked the ponkala in a new earthen pot and propitiated the Kadalamma jointly. Formerly, the ponkala payasam (pudding) was thrown into the sea in sealed pots. This practice has been discontinued in recent times. However, it is reported that this custom is still in vogue in the Azhikkal village, Alleppey district. Charms and sacred formulas are uttered while throwing the pudding into the sea. Krishnan Kunhu, my informant, told me that in olden days, the ponkala pots thrown into the sea used to return the following day to the ovens on which the pudding was prepared. Many of his ancestors, he claimed, had seen such miraculous deeds of Kadalamma. A few coins and a little rice pudding are the only items thrown into the sea today instead of ponkala pots. A night-long nadaswara cutchery (a music concert played with Nadaswaram — a snake pipe with 12 holes and other accompaniments) is held on the occasion.
[FONT=Comic Sans MS
From India, Madras
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Gulikan or Mandi is propitiated by the Hindu fishermen all over Kerala. The Gulikan is connected with diseases and death. Horoscopes are cast by every Hindu of Kerala in which the position of the Gulikan is clearly indicated. The Gulikan's position indicates when the person will die. When death occurs in a fisherman's house, it is customary to plant a stone outside the house representing the Gulikan. An informant informed me that the stone representing the Gulikan will never be installed in the room reserved for ancestors or in any of the house. However, the fishermen believe that once the Gulikan is propitiated by installing a stone on the earthen platform, it will prevent death. The Gulikan is generally worshipped to get big fishes like etta and avoli. They vow to conduct a special puja in honor of the Gulikan by offering etta and avoli. They fulfill their vow by making votive offerings when they get these species of fish. The Gulikan is periodically propitiated by the offer of kuruthi (water mixed with turmeric and lime), today, bananas, and flowers. A wick lamp is lighted for the worship. A red fowl and a ram are sacrificed in the Gulikan's honor on important festive occasions like Omam and Vishu. Sometimes, the oracle of the Gulikan, in trance, directs the fishermen to handle times of crisis. The oracle reveals the causes of illness and discloses the remedy.
The Mukkuvans of Malabar believe that there are four kinds of Gulikans: Brahma Gulikan, Vishnu Gulikan, Abhimanyu Gulikan, Asura Gulikan. They further believe that if the Asura Gulikan is displeased, tensions in the family are bound to arise, besides infights among the members of the crew. In such cases, the Mukkuvans consult the kaniyan (village astrologer) and seek their advice to ward off the wrath of the enraged Asura Gulikan. The kaniyan prescribes the remedy in the form of a magical rite called Puramneekkal, which is similar to Uzhinhu Vangal. A magician is invited to conduct this rite. The articles required for the purpose prescribed by the magician and the astrologer are: a cooked fried fish (etta, aikkora, and narimeen), coconut oil, potato, lady-finger, bengal gram, beaten rice, puffed rice, etc. A thigh of the cock is roasted in the fire and given to the Asura Gulikan. The total expenditure for conducting the rite comes to Rs. 100.
Brahma Gulikan: Ethereal Element
The Brahma Gulikan is worshipped for getting bumper catches and also for warding off the misfortunes and illness caused by him. Sometimes the Mukkuvans call the Brahma Gulikan as Brahma Yakshasu, the spirit of a dead Brahman. The Mukkuvans believe that the Brahma Gulikan is capable of causing the separation of a husband and wife. An amulet is prepared by the magician and given to the patient to wear or a Puramneekkal ceremony is conducted to appease him. Sometimes the mantram 'Oh Gulika, Brahma Gulika, Vishnu Gulika, Asmara Gulika, and Abhimanyu Gulika' is chanted for 21 times over a string for putting on the waist of the patient. The same mantram is written 21 times on a copper plate, and an amulet is prepared for wearing. Sometimes rice powder mixed with molasses is given to the Brahma Gulikan to appease his wrath. The Mukkuvans say that the Vishnu Gulikan and Abhimanyu Gulikan are not wicked. The Abhimanyu Gulikan is the spirit of Abhimanyu, son of Arjuna, who died in the Kurukshetra war.
Pottanmar: Ethereal Element
The Mukkuvans of Malabar believe that Pottanmar are the bodyguards of the Goddess Bhadrakali. They are propitiated on festive occasions like Mandalam, Karkitaka Sankranti, and Sivarathri. Pottanmar are offered vegetarian dishes consisting of balls of rice, jaggery, and coconut. The ordained oracle of the Pottanmar speaks a mukabhasha (gesture language) in their frenzy and declare what offerings would please the Goddess. They predict future events that affect the fishermen and divine the causes of illness in their families.
KANDAKARANAN
The Mukkuvans of Malabar hold that Kandakaranan is the defense minister of Bhadrakali. They say the deity does not like meat and liquor. It seems he has been elevated as a Sanskrit deity. The main offerings of Kandakaranan consist of boiled rice, jaggery, and coconut. He is worshipped for getting bumper catches, getting rid of illness, particularly smallpox, and for protection from the hazards of the sea. The Izhvas of Palghat propitiate this deity by sacrificing a fowl.
Kadalamma: Water-element
The Aryans of the Kanjirachera village, Alleppey district, perform an annual festival called Ponkala in honor of Kadalamma (mother or Goddess of the sea). It is reported that this ceremony is also conducted by the fishermen of Trivandrum Quilon and southern parts of Ernakulam. Ponkala, the cooking of rice or pudding in the open air by women, is an offering to Kadalamma, who is worshipped daily. A mandapam (open shed) is erected for this. The offerings consist of flattened rice, puffed rice, jaggery and navadhanyam (nine pulses), ghee, camphor, benzoin, sugarcane, and coconuts. The mandapam is decorated with tender coconuts and mango leaves before the actual ceremony. Fisherwomen who have reached their menopause assemble on the morning of the forty-first day at the seacoast with ponkala pots containing the necessary rice, jaggery, coconut, and firewood. The ladies cooking the ponkala should abstain from sexual intercourse and observe vegetarianism for the day. Two kinds of ponkala are prepared, one with rice, jaggery, coconut shavings, and plantains, and the other without jaggery. Forty-one women participated in the festival of 1971 at the Kanjiranchera village in Alleppey. Each lady cooked the ponkala in a new earthen pot and propitiated the Kadalamma jointly. Formerly, the ponkala payasam (pudding) was thrown into the sea in sealed pots. This practice has been discontinued in recent times. However, it is reported that this custom is still in vogue in the Azhikkal village, Alleppey district. Charms and sacred formulas are uttered while throwing the pudding into the sea. Krishnan Kunhu, my informant, told me that in olden days, the ponkala pots thrown into the sea used to return the following day to the ovens on which the pudding was prepared. Many of his ancestors, he claimed, had seen such miraculous deeds of Kadalamma. A few coins and a little rice pudding are the only items thrown into the sea today instead of ponkala pots. A night-long nadaswara cutchery (a music concert played with Nadaswaram — a snake pipe with 12 holes and other accompaniments) is held on the occasion.
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From India, Madras
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Hi all,
I have something to share with you all.
A guy in my team stayed in the office during night hours to complete the assignments. He had to stay and update some reports. He felt some tiny people standing close to him and running around him. The next day he told us, everyone laughed at him. But I could not take it as a joke, so I got a Hanuman photo and kept it at his desk, at least for his mental satisfaction.
He recently stayed again in the night to complete some work. He again felt some people standing close to him. When he saw the Hanuman picture, it was turned backwards. He set the photo properly, and then it was fine.
What do you think this is? If it is just a feeling, why did the Hanuman picture turn backwards?
The other guy stayed in the office till 12:30 am the very next day, and he never had any feeling.
Can you all share your views on this?
From India, Madras
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I have something to share with you all.
A guy in my team stayed in the office during night hours to complete the assignments. He had to stay and update some reports. He felt some tiny people standing close to him and running around him. The next day he told us, everyone laughed at him. But I could not take it as a joke, so I got a Hanuman photo and kept it at his desk, at least for his mental satisfaction.
He recently stayed again in the night to complete some work. He again felt some people standing close to him. When he saw the Hanuman picture, it was turned backwards. He set the photo properly, and then it was fine.
What do you think this is? If it is just a feeling, why did the Hanuman picture turn backwards?
The other guy stayed in the office till 12:30 am the very next day, and he never had any feeling.
Can you all share your views on this?
From India, Madras
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Hi Nithiya,
I have heard from my mother that there are different kinds of people living in this universe. There are people who are almost double our size, and there are people who are very small; they are known as githmuthiya and are the size of our hands. They live in the deepest part of the earth and can't survive in the earth's atmosphere.
I don't know what your friend saw that night. It might be the same thing. Tell him to place Hanuman Ji's picture backward and see if it happens again. If not, then it is his mind creating all kinds of things, and he is actually seeing them. If he again feels the same thing, then I think you guys should talk to a pandit and see what it is all about. Please also inform us of whatever the pandit says about this.
Regards,
Akshu
From India, Chandigarh
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I have heard from my mother that there are different kinds of people living in this universe. There are people who are almost double our size, and there are people who are very small; they are known as githmuthiya and are the size of our hands. They live in the deepest part of the earth and can't survive in the earth's atmosphere.
I don't know what your friend saw that night. It might be the same thing. Tell him to place Hanuman Ji's picture backward and see if it happens again. If not, then it is his mind creating all kinds of things, and he is actually seeing them. If he again feels the same thing, then I think you guys should talk to a pandit and see what it is all about. Please also inform us of whatever the pandit says about this.
Regards,
Akshu
From India, Chandigarh
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Kolkata, Dec 30 (UNI) Strange things reportedly taking place in a residence at Midland Place in the Rahara area do not simply add up to a ghost story, according to its owner's account.
"Household items toppling out of shelves is a common sight. The refrigerator's door suddenly developed cracks and fell off one day. Even the flower vases trembled and fell on the floor.
Interestingly, the incidents took place without any human involvement," one Ratan Das told the Khardah Police Station Inspector-in-Charge Sukumar Das yesterday, while informing the latter about 'ghosts' in his house.
"I was at my wit's end when I found that my daughter Rima, who will appear for Madhyamik next year, was reportedly pushed hard from behind and she fell. Her books were also set on fire last week," Mr. Das said.
It was yesterday when he noticed that a corner of the bed was torched and the doors of the cupboard swung open. It was found that all the clothes inside were cut up in different sizes. Feeling that his patience had been much tried, Mr. Das, a clerk at Barrackpore court, called up the police and told them about the phenomenon that added to a 'tremendous mental trauma.' "Our life is under threat," he felt.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-in-Charge visited his house with his team to probe the matter.
"It is possible that some neighbors are playing tricks on them," one of the officers observed, who confirmed that Mr. Das's house was currently in a mess.
From India, Madras
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"Household items toppling out of shelves is a common sight. The refrigerator's door suddenly developed cracks and fell off one day. Even the flower vases trembled and fell on the floor.
Interestingly, the incidents took place without any human involvement," one Ratan Das told the Khardah Police Station Inspector-in-Charge Sukumar Das yesterday, while informing the latter about 'ghosts' in his house.
"I was at my wit's end when I found that my daughter Rima, who will appear for Madhyamik next year, was reportedly pushed hard from behind and she fell. Her books were also set on fire last week," Mr. Das said.
It was yesterday when he noticed that a corner of the bed was torched and the doors of the cupboard swung open. It was found that all the clothes inside were cut up in different sizes. Feeling that his patience had been much tried, Mr. Das, a clerk at Barrackpore court, called up the police and told them about the phenomenon that added to a 'tremendous mental trauma.' "Our life is under threat," he felt.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-in-Charge visited his house with his team to probe the matter.
"It is possible that some neighbors are playing tricks on them," one of the officers observed, who confirmed that Mr. Das's house was currently in a mess.
From India, Madras
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Once my friend told me about a house nearby his. It was an old Brahmin house, now bought by another Christian family. A family rented the house, a mother and 2 sons, both above 20 years old. The thing is that all 3 people see the same dream daily. They see an old Brahmin. During sleep, somebody pours water over them, and when they wake up, there is nothing. Then, somebody is seen scrolling over them. This continues for 6 months until they changed their place.
From India, Delhi
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From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)Join Our Community and get connected with the right people who can help. Our AI-powered platform provides real-time fact-checking, peer-reviewed insights, and a vast historical knowledge base to support your search.
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