Brahma Sthan
Deity of Village in Mithila region
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Brahma Sthan (ब्रह्म स्थान or बरहम स्थान ) are holy places in villages of the Bhojpuri and Mithila region for worshiping the folk deity Brahm Baba or Baraham Baba in Bihar and Nepal. In the Bhojpuri and Mithila region, Brahm Baba is considered as the protector God for the villages. Brahm Baba is also known as Gram Devta or Dihawar Baba.[1][2]
- Gram Devata
- Dihavar Baba
- Baraham Baba
| Brahma Baba | |
|---|---|
Protector of Village | |
 Brahma Baba Sthan at Basuki Bihari North village | |
| Other names |
|
| Venerated in | Brahman Geet, folklore and legendary tales |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| Abode | Peepal Tree |
| Mantra | Vedic |
| Symbol | Protection of village. |
| Adherents | Hindus |
| Tree | Peepal or Banayan |
| Region | Mithila region and Bhojpuri region |
| Temple | Brahma Baba Sthan |
| Festivals | Paatair Puja, Annual Brahma Baba Utsav |
| Genealogy | |
| Avatar birth | Lord Vishnu |
Legendary description
According to rule, a Brahma Sthan should be in the west outside of a village in the form of a Peepal tree or Banyan tree, but when the village expands, more than one Brahma Sthan is formed in different directions of the village.[1][3]
Rituals
People offer earthen pot, dhoti, Hindu sacred thread Jenau, sweets, petals leaf, flowers etc. to the Brahma Baba. People on occasions of marriages and other auspicious occasions in the house, the first salutations are done at the Brahm Sthan. The concept of Brahma Baba is legendary, folklore and tribal.[3] During the festival of Durga Puja in the Mithila and Bhojpuri regions, a local folk dance as well as song called as Jhijhiya is performed by the Musahar community[4] , in which Brahma Baba is also remembered.[5] In the community of Maithil Brahmins in the region, the Gram Devta Brahma Baba is praised and remembered through the folk songs of Brahman Geet sung by women of the community during the occasions of Maithil upanayana, sanskar and Maithil Vivah, etc.
Legend
According to legend, Brahma Baba is considered as the form of Lord Vishnu, who belongs to the entire society or villagers. In this regard, there is a legend related to the foundation of a village in the region. According to Pandit Giridhar Jha, when the foundation of a village is laid in the Mithila region, the protector deity Lord Vishnu is invoked at that time. According to him, the protector deity Lord Vishnu is called as Brahma Baba in the common language of the region.[6]
Festivals
In the region of Mithila, an annual festival dedicated to Brahma Baba is also celebrated by villagers at the temples of Brahma Sthan in their villages. Similarly, a festival known as Paatair Puja dedicated to Brahma Baba is celebrated with great pomp and show in the villages of the region.[7]