Jeetu Bagdwal and Bharna Love Story: Amidst the lush green mountains of Uttarakhand lies an extraordinary love story woven with threads of mystery and conspiracy—the tale of Jeetu Bagdwal and Bharna.
Jeetu, a charming young man, enchanted the valleys with the sweet melodies of his flute. His tunes not only captivated the hearts of people but also mesmerized celestial fairies (Aacharis). However, his most cherished melody was dedicated to one soul alone—Bharna. Bharna, whose eyes held the depth of Kumaon's lakes and whose smile blossomed like the crimson Buransh flower. Their love was pure, but fate had other plans.
A Dark Omen and the Forbidden Harvest
“There is no auspicious day for sowing crops in your family this year, Shobhanu. Tell Jeetu that the harvest cannot be planted this season.”
Shobhanu, Jeetu’s younger brother, had approached the village priest to find a suitable day for sowing. King Man Shah had granted Jeetu several fields, and it was time to cultivate them. However, the priest declared that no day was favorable for them this year.
But as they say, every obstacle has a solution, and so the priest added, “You cannot do it, but your sister can. Bring Sobni back by the 6th day of the Ashadha month and let her begin the sowing.”
Shobhanu returned home with this news, but as soon as Jeetu heard that he must go to Raintal to fetch his sister Sobni, his heart sank—for Raintal was also home to Bharna.
Love in the mountains is like a wildflower—it blooms silently but fills the entire forest with its fragrance. Overcome by the scent of love, Jeetu insisted that he would go to Raintal himself.
The Journey to Khaith: Land of Celestial Fairies
It is said that when Jeetu set out to bring back his sister, ominous signs appeared. His pet goat, Teelu, sneezed as he prepared to leave. His mother, seeing this, warned him, “This is a bad omen. Don’t go.”
But Jeetu’s longing to see Bharna was stronger than any superstition. He ignored his mother’s pleas and, with a playful smile on his face and his beloved flute in hand, set out for Raintal.
Although his journey’s purpose was to bring back his sister, deep down, Jeetu knew that seeing Bharna again felt like reaching the destination of a long pilgrimage. Lost in thoughts of love, Jeetu unknowingly wandered into the land of celestial fairies—Khaith.
Love-struck souls see beauty in everything, and Khaith’s charm was no exception. The soothing breeze of Khaith cradled Jeetu’s tired body as he sat under a tree and played his flute.
The entire forest seemed to come alive at his melody. Leaves rustled, flowers swayed, and even the stones seemed to hum. The sky turned golden, and suddenly, the sound of anklets filled the air. When Jeetu opened his eyes, he saw nine enchanting celestial beings dancing around him.
Jeetu realized that his flute had summoned the Aacharis from their mystical realm. These forest nymphs were breathtakingly beautiful—so beautiful that they took away anything lovely they found, preserving it forever in their world. After all, some things remain pure only when kept away from the world.
Jeetu knew this truth well. At that moment, his mother’s warnings echoed in his mind, and he quickly began chanting prayers to his ancestral deities.
But no deity had power over the Aacharis, for it was Jeetu himself who had called them. He realized that the Aacharis wouldn’t let him go. He pleaded for his release, but their enchanting grip tightened. Between persistence and pleading, persistence often wins—but Jeetu couldn’t simply leave without a fight.
He had promises to keep—fields waiting for sowing, a mother hoping to be proven wrong, and Bharna longing to see him again. Instead of pleading, he bargained. He requested the Aacharis to return on the 6th day of Ashadha so he could fulfill his earthly duties before leaving with them.
The Aacharis agreed, and Jeetu, with a heavy heart, continued his journey to Raintal. When he finally saw Bharna, his heart swelled with both joy and sorrow. He knew this was their last meeting, and he couldn’t leave without confessing his love.
A Love That Defied Death
“Terā khātir chhodi syāli bānki bagūḍi, bānki bagūḍi chhode, chhodi rāniyon ki dagūḍi, chhattīs kutumb chhode, battīs parivār, din ko khāno chhodi, chhodi rāt ki seṇī.”
(For you, I abandoned the fragrant forests, left behind palaces and queens, turned away from my clan and family, forsook my meals and sleepless nights.)
Something within Jeetu changed that night. After all, we all know that death is the ultimate truth, yet we live each moment as if it isn’t. But if we knew our exact day of death, wouldn’t it change everything? That was what Jeetu was experiencing.
The day arrived when Jeetu had to take his sister Sobni back to Bagudi. He met Bharna one last time and whispered:
“Dāḷiyun mā terā phūl phulla, khillī burānse ki dāḷī, ritū boḍi boḍi auli dagṛya, mī āndū nī āndū, kū jānī.”
(The flowers bloom for you, the rhododendron branches smile, but the seasons will change, and I shall not return.)
Jeetu returned to Bagudi, and soon, the 6th day of Ashadha arrived—the day the barren land was to be sown.
The village was filled with celebration. The oxen were ready, the plows were set, and Jeetu, though prepared, carried an invisible burden. He began plowing the fields, and as promised, the nine celestial Aacharis appeared.
Before anyone could react, Jeetu vanished into the earth, taken by the Aacharis.
They say his family faced many hardships after his disappearance. But even in death, Jeetu did not abandon them. His invisible presence continued to protect his loved ones. Seeing his divine power, the king declared that Jeetu Bagdwal would be worshipped as a deity across Garhwal.
Since then, Jeetu Bagdwal’s ballads have been sung in every village, and his tale is performed in folk theaters, immortalizing his legend forever.
Also Read - The Eternal Folktale of the Pyoli Flower
If you liked this post related to films, then please share it on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram or | Youtube