Part 7-8 - Jumadi (or Dhumavati)

Bisexual spirit accompanied by a stupid messenger named Bante (warrior assistant).

Jumadi, also known as Dhumavathi, is a revered deity especially in the Tulu Nadu region of Karnataka and Kerala in India. The sanctuaries dedicated to Jumadi are in Tulu Nadu and Kerala.

The name of Jumadi was Sanskrit as Dhumavati, a fierce aspect of Devi.

Different stories describe the origin of Jumadi. One concerns a child born from the belly of Parvati and whose thirst can not be quenched. After Vishnu failed to appease the boy, he finally decided to send him to the land where the devoutees offering was, the coconut water, could satisfy his thirst, Jumadi is venerated through Tulu Nadu as the benefactor who fulfills the wishes and upholds justice and harmony on earth.

Another story tells us that Shiva and Parvati were on their way to face Dhumasura, a powerful demon who could only be killed by someone who was a man and a woman at the same time, when Parvati suddenly felt very hungry. Shiva gave her everything he could, but it was never enough, so he finally told her to eat him (shiva). Parvati absorbed her husband's body until his head could no longer reach his throat and remained out of his mouth. At that time, the two gods merged with Jumadi, a divine being who had the body of a woman and the head of a man.

As expected, Jumadi killed Dhumasura and became a protective god for the people of Tulu.

Legend

It is believed that there was a great demon, Dhumasura, who used to eat human beings. He had made entire civilizations disappear. He had a great help by which he could only be killed by a person who was a man and a woman at the same time. The devotees prayed that Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati descend from Mount Kailasa to defeat the devil. On his way, Parvati felt uncontrollably hungry. Shiva tried to satisfy her in various ways but could not be satisfied. Finally, Shiva told Parvati to eat him to satisfy his hunger. Goddess Parvati tried to swallow Shiva, but Shiva would not go beyond her throat. At that time Shiva and Parvati were merged and transformed into Jumadi, a masculine and feminine form. Jumadi had the face of a man and the part below the throat was that of a woman. In Jumadi's throat was the sacred lingam and Jumadi wore a crown of nagas (snakes). Jumadi has defeated Dhumasura and Dyrasura Dhumavathi—"the winner of Dhumasura". Later, Jumadi took other forms to defeat other demonic partners of Dhumasura.

Worship

This form of Shiva and Parvati with a dumb spirit of bunta, which is also revered with Jumadi. The Jumadi cult is considered one of the main shrines of Jumadi in Tulunadu.

Jumadi considers herself part of the world and has many friends of her family. One example is the Royal Chowta family who worship Jumadi in the Jumadi sanctuary at Mudabidri Palace (Chowtara Aramane) and also in the shrine near his old palace Puttige and his old palace of Puttige. Jumadi is revered by the people of Tulu Nadu regardless of their caste. In some sanctuaries, Jumadi is only offered for food, fruits and other vegetarian foods. In other sanctuaries, Jumadi is offered the blood of a rooster representing Dhumasura. Later, the devotees eat the rooster like Prasad, or give it to the pamadas, the imitators of the spirit.^[1]

Jumadi Story

The holy spirit is also known as 'Daiva'. In general, this is relevant for some families who have been following this for hundreds of years. These families may have a small structure similar to a built temple that is known as "Bhutada Gudi". These families trust the holy spirit to fill them with good fortune and protect them from harm.

Bhuta Kola has an artistic appearance with the paatri wearing beautiful costumes, dancing to the rhythm of drums and wind instruments played with a different tempo. When the possession of the spirit approaches, the depth of the tempo increases. A typical costume is a dress made of palm leaves and a large structure similar to a nimbus called "ani" in palm leaf and decorated with few ornaments. The costumes may have a slight variation based on the spirit. After the Holy Spirit is in possession, it can be very dramatic, like eating a live chicken or walking on fire.

Although Bhuta Kola is not a public event, it is common for neighborhood to gather in the house where this is happening. Some come for fun and few seek solutions to their problems. After the possession of the Holy Spirit, the paatri answers the questions asked by the people gathered around him, mainly questions about the persistent problems and difficulties they encounter. The Holy Spirit responds by providing solutions to their problems.^[2]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumad).

[2]:

(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumad).