Folk Deities as the Alternative Myths in India

Abstract

My purpose in this work is to interpret a nd critica lly investiga te folklore a nd socia l epistemology, with specific reference to some folk deities a nd pra ctices tha t I refer to a s 'a lterna tive mythologies,' a nd I da re to do so with tena city. In the India n cultura l context, cla ssica l Sa nskritic a nd Bra hma nica l religious a cts ha ve la rgely ta ken centersta ge in the religious pa noptica l system, a t the expense of subverting extremely significa nt a nd relevant loca l a nd verna cula r pra ctices a nd doctrines. The blending of mythology a nd folklore, the blending of loca l deities with the ostensibly"officia l" ones, ca n be seen in pra ctica lly a ll public spa ces in India . To comprehend the excha nges between myth a nd folklore, one must first comprehend India 's geogra phica l a nd cultura l diversity, as well a s the pra ctica l requirement of holy ceremonies. This technique considers the distinct sociologica l, a nthropologica l, a nd psychologica l roles tha t myth a nd folklore pla y in a group. It becomes necessa ry to penetrate society's sympa thetic gra sp of the implica tions of a certa in rite, whether mythologica l or folkloristic. Dussehra provides a n opportunity for a thorough expla na tion a nd sensitiza tion of tha t spiritua l system, a s well a s an a ppropria te exa mple of a cceptance a nd inclusion of diverse religious a ctivities.