Riyalu Nag(Mohni)

HIGHLIGHTS

Very first, this Devta was incarnated at a place called Kothi Khadagaad. It’s old temple is available here even today. From there, He reached to village Baalo of Kothi Shikari passing through Mahoo and Shayatdhar of District Mandi and further to Khoohan Khanala of District Kullu and Virandhar. Here this Devta stayed with Baalu Nag for twelve years. Then Baalu Nag departed him after presenting herbs of Kelo(Devdar) along with a water Tumbdi (a container made of dry pumpkin). Carrying these, Riyalu Nag when reached to a place called Bahoo, then there got defeated by Joginis while playing gambling. Then these Joginis took these hurbs of Kelo and Tumbdi of water from him. Even today, Water pond and trees of Kelo can be seen in Bahoo. From here, Riyalu Nag return to Baalo and explained the complete phenomena to Baloo Nag. Then Baalu Nag, from the Shesh Sarovar (Pond), again provided him a Tumbadi filled with devine water and hurbs of Rai trees. Get pleased, Devta Riyalu Nag along with these things resided on the beautiful hummock above village mohani and sowed these Rai herbs and created a pond from the water of Tumbadi which is available even today. It is believed that water of this pond is sourced from a place called ‘Thogi’ of Khabal. Later on, people, impressed by the devine power build a temple in the Riyalu forest of village Mohini. According to an anothre public saying, region of Mohani was in the control of Markandey Dev of Pedcha. Then Devta Sangchool of Teel-Bachhoot helped Riyalu Nag and by sending Markandey to Sarandhi prsented this place to Riyalu Nag. To honour, even today Devta Shangchool is given significant place in Bada-Ree-Jach. Tradition of ‘Baada’ is directly related with Devta Sangchool as considered.