A narrative of Goli Naag devta's protection of Kotkhai state from Raja of Kullu


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Once it happened that the principality of Kotkhai was attacked by the Raja of Kullu. This probably happened after Rana of Kotkhai gave administration rights to the region of Kotgarh to Raja of Kullu and shortly afterwards the Kullu Raja conquered it and was trying to besiege the capital town of Kotkhai next.

The Rana of Kotkhai was in no capacity to defend his state against the then extremely powerful Kullu Raja, so his minister advised to seek the help of devtas.

Devtas from different principalities were invited and it was decided that the devta whose Mali/Gur would be able to eat two rotis made up of half maund (approximately 20kgs) of barley flour each, would be declared as the most powerful.

So, it happened that only the Mali of Goli Naag was able to accomplish this task and he was declared as the most powerful. Consequently, the Rana urged devta for help against the Kullu troops and Goli Naag agreed.

Interestingly, Goli Naag was originally the deity of people of Outer Seraj in Kullu, who got rid of his Mohras and artifacts by submerging them into Satluj as the deity used to afflict them with untimely and torrential rains for no reason.

Instantly, dark clouds formed over the camps of Kullu men and it rained torrentially over them. Lighting struck their ammuntion and destroyed it. Many people tried to escape but they were killed in the flash flood and lighting, caused by the cloudburst. In this way, the Kullu army retreated and the state was saved, later the Rana adopted Goli Naag as his patron deity.

The fort today stands, isolated from the rest of land mass on three sides, which according to the legend, is due to the flash flood that happened back during the beseige, testifying to the power of Goli Naag.

#himchali #india #temple #culture #peace #sujatasuran