Worship of Gram Devta of Bakhli(Haryana)

Worship of Gram Devta of Bakhli(Haryana) 

Gram Devta or the god of homestead or the village itself, often called Khera or Kshetrapal and is most important in my village Bakhli. Although it is worshipped on every Sunday yet the Sundays of Savan and Magh Mas have more utilisation. People light a deepak of desi ghee and offer sweet rice(Meethe Chawal) on every Sunday in front of east facing idol. Kacha Doodh(unboiled milk) is very important for pooja. After worship prikrama is so meaningful.

In the month of Savan and Magh after distampering( whitewash) the Kheda a White Flag is hosted on the top of the gumbad of the shrine, Havan and Yajna with Gaytri Mantra and Khada's Mantra for goodness of whole villagers is completed by the heartly devoted villagers. Feed Brahmans and Kanya, then Prajapati- Saand with Cow. This is always done twice a year after the harvests are gathered in and also on other occasions. Villagers enjoy this Bhandara specially.

Gram Devta is also worshipped at marriages. The bridegroom, before proceeding to' the bride's house, takes a Prikrama of his own village and worships the Gram Devta, and again worships the god before he enters his house along with his bride.

When a son is born, the mother of the new born child lights lamps and affixes with cowdung five columns of the panni or Durva grass called bearn alongwith flowers to the shrine. Milk of a cow  which has calved is first offered as oblation to the Gram Devta to avert any  mishappening. Some old experincehand  women of the concurned family carry their young babies to the temple of this deity to ensure longevity of life.