Mahasu Devta – The Protector of Mountains :

The lush green valleys of Uttarakhand are the favorite place of the gods. Many folk deities have been prevalent in Devbhoomi since ancient times. Among them , gods like Nagaraja, Ghandiyal, Narasimha, Bhumiyal, Bhairav, Bhadraj and Mahasu hold special place and are worshiped in different areas of Uttarakhand. Very few people know about the story related to Mahasu Devta. 

History and significance :

The Mahasu god is the god of justice, who belongs to the Jaunsar-Bawar region of Uttarakhand. The main temple of Mahasu Devta is located at Hanol, Chakrata. The word Hanol derives its name from a Brahmin named Huna Bhatt. The Mahasu deity hass the four deity brother named after him.

1. Botha Mahasu
2. Pabasik Mahasu
3. Basik Mahasu
4. Chalda Mahasu

In the Jaunsar region, the heroic Pandavas of the Mahabharata took refuge when the conspiracy of Duryodhana's Lakshgriha was hatched. The place where the Pandavas had saved their lives is today known as Lakhamandal. Many stories related to Pandavas are heard in Jaunsar.

In the early period of Kali Yuga, the terror of Demon in Uttarakhand was at its peak, due to which the whole state and subjects were unhappy. Of all the Danavos, the most frightening demon was Kirmir, who killed the seven sons of Huna Bhatt. Kirtika demon had a bad eye on Kritika, wife of Huna Bhatt, fed by Kirmir, Kritika prayed to Lord Shiva, consequently Lord Shiva snatched away the sight of Kirmir. Huna Bhatt and Kritika left after saving their lives from Kirmir. Huna Bhatt and his wife Kritika prayed to Goddess Hatakeshwari to protect herself and the subjects. Devi asked both to go to the mountains of Kashmir and pray to Lord Shiva. They both went whole-heartedly in praise of Lord Shiva, visiting the mountains of Kashmir according to the order of the Goddess.

Lord Shiva appeared on his call and gave him a boon that soon he and all the people of the region would get relief from the tyranny of the Danavas. For this, he directed Huna Bhatt to return to his land to perform praise and rituals of power. Huna Bhatt returned with his wife Kritika and started performing Shakti rituals. Pleased with the prayers and rituals of Huna Bhatt, the Goddess appeared to him. The goddess ordered Huna Bhatt to plow a part of her farm with pure silver plow and gold shoes every Sunday, bulls used in this work should be those who had never plowed the field before. By doing this, Mahasu Bhai will appear with his ministers and army in the seventh week and will liberate the entire region from the Danavas.

Huna Bhatt started plowing the fields according to the Goddess Shakti. On the sixth week of Sunday, when Huna Bhatt was plowing the fields, Botha Mahasu appeared on the first round of the plow, Pabasik Mahasu on the second, Basik Mahasu on the third and Chalda Mahasu on the fourth. The four Dev brothers are collectively called Mahasu (Char Mahasu). From the fifth round of the plow, Devlari appeared from the land along with the goddesses, ministers and divine forces. Mahasu Dev brothers and his army exterminated demons from all over the region as Devi Shakti said. It is said that Kirmir had taken Chalda Mahasu to the Khanda mountain during the war, where the marks of his sword can be seen even on the rocks.

When Mahasu Dev Bhrata was not in Hanol, a demon named Keshi took possession of Hanol. Chalda Mahasu and his heroes ended Keshi and regained control over Hanol. Chalda Mahasu divided the entire region into four states so that the four brothers could jointly rule their respective states and protect their kingdom from plagues. According to the Goddess Shakti, the four Mahasu deities were to appear on the Sunday of the seventh week, but all the brothers appeared from the ground on the Sunday of the week, due to which the plow of Huna Bhatt Brahmin caused a wound on the knee of Botha Mahasu and they were able to walk. 

Mahasu Devta Temple :

Mahasu Devta Temple is one of the ancient temples enlisted in the Archaeological Survey of India. It was built in the 9th century and is situated in the eastern bank of Tons or Tamas River at Hanol village, 190 kms from Dehradun. A popular legend is heard regarding the existence of the main deity, Mahasu Devta. According to the legend, four divine brothers (Pavasik Mahasu, Botha Mahasu, Vasik Mahasu and Chalda Mahasu) appeared to save the land from the hands of the fierce demons. These quadruple brothers collectively came to be known as the Mahasu Devta. There are many other local legends surrounding the temple. The Mahasu Devta temple is also known for its unique style architecture, ‘Kath – Koni’ or ‘Kothi Banal’. It is a perfect blend of stone and wooden structure.

The Jagara of Mahasu Devta is the most popular ritual celebrated in the month of ‘Bhadon’. It was the time when the deity arrived to save the villagers from the demons. The Shaant festival at Hanol is also celebrated surrounding the Mahasu Devta Temple. The Mahasu Devta fair is the most prominent religious fair for the local tribes known as Jaunsari. People from other communities also join them thereby creating a cultural harmony among the various communities of the nearby villages. An unusual aspect of the temple is two spherical rocks which is believed to be lifted by only a pious hearted person. Other unique aspect is the trophies hanging on the Mahasu Devta temple walls. It is said that these trophies are awarded to the champion who win the match between gods.

Many stories related to folk deities are heard in Uttarakhand, but the story of Mahasu, the folk deity of Jaunsar, is very interesting.