Category Archives: Myths

Sacred narratives

Text: A gold idol that might be cursed is placed in Mahadev Mandir (temple) in India and the idol has been stolen 7 times but mysteriously always returned within 24 hours.

Context:my friend from Kolkata shared a fascinating tale about the Mahadev Mandir in his city, nestled in the eastern part of India. This temple houses an intriguing gold idol, rumored to be cursed. The enigmatic charm of the idol has led to it being stolen not once but seven times. Yet, each theft is shrouded in mystery as the idol inexplicably finds its way back to the temple within a mere 24 hours. This recurring phenomenon has not only deepened the mystique surrounding the idol but also led to widespread speculation and lore among the locals, who regard the idol’s inevitable return as a divine or supernatural intervention, ensuring its presence within the sacred confines of the Mahadev Mandir.

Analysis: This tale encapsulates more than just an intriguing story; it embodies the intricate interplay of faith, mystique, and cultural heritage that pervades many Indian communities. This narrative, shared among friends and locals, transcends the boundaries of mere folklore, touching upon the deep-seated belief in divine intervention and the supernatural that often characterizes Indian spiritual and cultural ethos.

The idol’s uncanny ability to return to its sacred abode within 24 hours of being stolen, a phenomenon that has occurred seven times, resonates with Domino Renee Perez’s observation that folklore figures or objects wield power by making “often incomprehensible and at times contemptible choices” (Perez 155). Here, the idol, though inanimate, assumes a persona imbued with a divine or supernatural will, challenging the rational and inviting speculation about higher powers and the sacredness of objects within religious contexts.

Furthermore, the community’s reaction to the idol’s return, viewing it as a divine or supernatural intervention, underscores the cultural and historical value placed on such artifacts. It reflects a collective belief in the sanctity and divine protection of religious symbols, underscoring the role of faith in shaping communal narratives and practices. This shared belief system, woven into the fabric of daily life, serves not only to affirm faith but also to bind the community together through shared stories that underscore a common cultural heritage and identity.

Text: In the quaint British village near Durham, the ‘Wald Inns’ hotel harbors a chilling tale from the 1980s. A girl’s tragic end in room 212 spawned a series of inexplicable fatalities, sealing the room’s fate and the hotel’s closure within a mere month. Whispers abound that her spirit lingers, eternally confined to that very room.

Context: While sharing eerie stories one evening, my friend from a serene British village recounted the haunting history of ‘Wald Inns.’ The hotel, once bustling, became the stage for a harrowing narrative in the ’80s when a young girl’s life ended in despair in room 212. This event marked the beginning of a terrifying pattern: subsequent guests of the room never emerged alive. The sequence of mysterious deaths led to the hotel’s swift shutdown. Today, the abandoned ‘Wald Inns’ stands as a spectral reminder, with locals firmly believing the girl’s spirit remains, eternally wandering within the walls of room 212.

Analysis: The haunting history of the ‘Wald Inns’ hotel in room 212, where a young girl’s tragic demise led to a series of unexplained fatalities, transcends mere ghostly folklore. This narrative, deeply ingrained in the local community’s consciousness, reflects a collective engagement with themes of loss, the afterlife, and the quest for understanding beyond the tangible. As Domino Renee Perez highlights, folklore figures like the girl’s spirit in room 212 wield power through their actions, often leaving a lasting impact on cultural memory and communal identity (Perez 155). The tale of the ‘Wald Inns’ serves not just as a chilling story but as a cultural expression that probes the boundaries between life and death, invoking questions about justice, remembrance, and the unseen forces that linger in our midst. It embodies a communal narrative that navigates the complexities of human existence and the mysteries that defy explanation, serving as a poignant reminder of the past’s enduring presence in the collective psyche.

Text: In Dalit Tradition, you are supposed to place the mandir (temple) in the southwest direction of the house.

Context: When my friend’s brother was crafting his home, he wove in the ancient wisdom of Vaastu Shastra, a revered Indian ethos aligning architecture with cosmic energies for harmony. In a mindful move, he placed the sacred mandir facing the southwest, as advised, ensuring a home cradled in positive vibrations and prosperity, a testament to Indian traditions. He was talking about how his family believes in Vaastu as they consider the placements of each parts of the house as “important parts in deciding the house’s energy.”

Analysis:

The placement of the mandir (temple) in the southwest direction of a house, adhering to Vaastu Shastra principles, reflects a deep-rooted cultural and spiritual ethos within Indian tradition. This architectural practice transcends mere structural design, embodying a holistic approach to living that aligns with cosmic energies for harmony and prosperity. Such practices resonate with Ülo Valk’s observation that folkloric entities and practices are “shaped by the perspectives…of storytellers” (Valk 31), suggesting that these architectural choices are infused with cultural narratives and wisdom passed down through generations.

This mindful integration of the mandir within a home’s architecture speaks to the historical and cultural significance of sacred spaces in Indian tradition. It echoes Domino Renee Perez’s insight that folklore and cultural practices wield power by making “often incomprehensible and at times contemptible choices” (Perez 155), highlighting a deep-seated reverence for tradition and unseen cosmic forces. The adherence to Vaastu Shastra in modern living represents a dialogue between tradition and modernity, anchoring individuals within a continuum of time-honored practices and offering a sense of continuity amidst contemporary life. In essence, aligning a home according to Vaastu Shastra principles, particularly in the placement of sacred spaces, is a manifestation of the enduring influence of spiritual traditions in shaping personal and communal environments. It illustrates a worldview that regards the home as a microcosm of the universe, where directions and spatial arrangements are imbued with deeper meanings, thus integrating the sacred into everyday life and maintaining a vibrant connection with cultural heritage.

Text: If you pass a sharp object such as a knife or scissor without placing it on a flat surface, it means a bad omen

Context: “Anytime I go back home to India and I’m passing cutlery or like silverware to my friends, specifically a knife or a sharp object, they always tell me to place it on a flat surface or like a surface before they take it, just because if I pass it to them directly, there’s a myth that I’m gonna have a fight with them or they’ll walk out of my life or something bad and negative will happen to them.” This is what my friend told me when I interviewed him. He’s Indian and his friends back home believe in this, but although he doesn’t believe in this, he’s forced to follow this tale. On the positive side, he said that his friends’ beliefs about this make him question if there is “another force in the universe.”

Analysis: This folklore tale delves into deep cultural and interpersonal dynamics. This practice, while seemingly rooted in superstition, underscores a broader cultural wisdom emphasizing caution and respect in human interactions. It resonates with Ülo Valk’s insight that folkloric entities are “shaped by the perspectives…of storytellers” (Valk 31), suggesting that such tales reflect communal values and the social fabric of a culture. Similarly, Domino Renee Perez’s observation that folklore figures like La Llorona “wield power by making often incomprehensible choices” (Perez 155) highlights how folklore governs individual actions, even beyond personal belief. This tale, therefore, is more than a superstition; it’s a ritualistic expression of mindfulness and a nod to the collective wisdom that guides social conduct. It connects individuals to their cultural heritage, fostering a sense of continuity and respect for the unseen forces that shape human relationships. Moreover, this tale interestingly highlights the permeation and resilience of cultural beliefs through social networks and friendships, even among individuals who may not personally subscribe to these beliefs. My friend’s adherence to this practice, despite his skepticism, underscores the compelling nature of cultural norms and the respect for the beliefs of others within one’s community.

Big Sur Ghost Myth

Ghost Story: 

In Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park lies the cabin of John Pfeiffer, the founder of the State Park. He lived in a cabin with his family nearly 200 years ago, and it still stands, rickety and weathered, in the forest along the Big Sur River. It is said that his ghost still lives in the cabin and haunts the campers who set foot on the cabin at night, so the campers must stay away from the area and cannot hike up to the cabin if they want to avoid being haunted.

Context: 

The informant grew up hearing this ghost story told whenever she would camp in Big Sur over the summer. The story would be told by family, friends, and soon all of the parents of the children that she camped with. It became a tradition to tell this ghost story around the campfire at night, and then hike to the house to scare the children.

Analysis: 

This ghost story is a prime example of society’s fascination with the paranormal. If this ghost story was actually true, wouldn’t the campers want to stay away from the cabin to avoid being haunted? Instead, many people seem to chase ghosts, and often try to perform the act that these ghost stories specifically warn them not to. This shows that people are more interested in the thrill of ghost stories and the paranormal than they are actually afraid of ghosts. This could also be because ghost stories do not have a very high truth value; most people who “believe” in ghosts might not actually anticipate seeing one. Rather, it is more the concept of the paranormal that they want to believe than their actual expectation of being haunted by a ghost.