Bhootappa and Choudi

Bhootappa, Choudi! these are few names with the mention of which people of Thirthalli and South kendra get scared. People believe that they should make happy these Bhootappa and Choudi for better life. According to people these gods are the actual rulers and place where our house and farms are there belong to these gods. And once they get angry you will be destroyed, they will not allow you to live in their place. So you should make them happy by giving blood of chicken or sheep. There are plenty of Bhootappa and Choudi stones in Thirthalli. Atleast yearly once you have to give them blood. Thirthalli side they call this as "Bhotappana Harke". In each and every house you can get thousands of stories about Bhootappa and Choudi.

In Kadidal, near to the arecanut plantation of Ajja, one Bhotappa stone was there. Ajja used to tell us stories about that. Once it seems one servant tried to steal some arecanut during night. When he was coming out, he saw a powerful light and a white shadow which was Bhootappa. He left everything there itself and ran for life. Next morning when Ajja went to his plantation he saw bags full of arecanut near gate and one knife, which he identified as his servants knife. Then that servant didn't live long as he was scared that he got the curse of Bhootappa.

You know people in Thirthalli are scared of these things more then law and police. Once you put a board that your farm is under the control of so and so god or Bhootappa, actually stealing cases will go down.

In Kadidal, in front of Ajja's house one room was there, where Ajja used to store rice bags, food of cattle etc. There was a bell which Ajja used to tie to his Ox cart. After few days Ajja sold that cart and that bell he tied to the roof of that room. There was a small space from house attic to that room.

One day suddenly we heard the sound of that bell during night. It was really scary. We were just thinking "Who is making that sound?". It continued for few days. One of my aunt decided that Bhootappa is responsible for this. They performed pooja to Bhootappa. Still it continued!

One day our favorite, Venkta (remember last post) came. Ajja asked him to find for snakes. He started playing his pipe. After some time he said that there is one snake inside house. Ajji scolded him, "How is it possible? It's not a very big house. And so many people are there" But Venkta argued that he is correct and continued to play his pipe.

Guess what! One snake came slowly from attic. That was the Bhootappa, responsible for making sound every night in the room. Many rats were there in that room and that snake was going to that room from attic. Obviously while passing from attic to room on the way that bell was there, which was making sound. Hahahahahaha.

In Thirthalli side one village means on house. People live there, surrounded by thick forest. six hours powercut during summer, and during rainy season, no power at all. If you call office to enquire why power is not there (provided your phone is working) then they will give you list of places where trees have fallen on electric wire. When I was kid I used to think that these people are giving some excuse. But now I understand how difficult it is for them also to find out what has happened in such a big area that too in such forest.

"Bhootappana Harke" was a occasion where you will invite relatives. During old days no transportation was there, so relatives used to stay there for a week and then go. People enjoyed it as they can get few people to talk to, which will be a change for them from that silence of forest.

But I don't understand why Bhotappa wants blood of chicken and sheep? I wonder, what happens if one day Bhotappa appears infront of people and say "I want your blood".