Sadei-Sadeu: Mother’s Home, Brotherly Love & Sons’ Sacrifice—A Moving Garhwali Tale

Last Updated:August 16, 2025, 17:08 IST

Garhwali writer Pandit Taradatt Gairola immortalised the tale in his 1921 poem ‘Sadei’, later republished by historian Shiv Prasad Dabral in 1971

The tale of Sadei-Sadeu exemplifies the purity and sacrifice inherent in brother-sister relationships. (Representative/PTI)

In the hills of Garhwal, the timeless story of Sadei and Sadeu continues to echo through generations. More than just a tale of a brother and sister, it is a poignant saga of longing, the bonds of family, and the pain of separation.

According to popular belief in the Garhwal region, Sadei, an innocent girl from the Rath region of Pauri Garhwal, was the only child of her parents. After marrying into the Kathait family, she moved to a remote village in Karnaprayag. However, her maternal relatives never visited to check on her well-being.

Yearning for her maternal home, Sadei is said to have planted a Silang plant on the deserted road leading to her family, a spot offering a view of the mountain ridge of her maternal home. She tended the plant daily, as if it held a glimpse of her childhood home. Folk songs from the region recount her lament:

“You sat with me in front of our mother’s house and said, ‘Holi, you are like a new mother to me. My old father, my children, my brothers… none of you ever came here, none of you ever cared. Now you know I am your sister. Go to my sister’s house. A child’s heart is fragile, like a tender sapling.’"

When the month of Chaitra arrived, fathers and brothers of other daughters-in-law would bring breakfast, moving Sadei to pray to her family deity, Jhalimali, asking for her brother’s happiness and promising to observe all rituals if her prayers were granted.

Folklore recounts that her prayers were answered with the birth of a son, Sadeu, at her maternal home, while Sadei herself gave birth to two sons, Umra and Sumra, at her in-laws’ house. Despite this, circumstances prevented her from visiting her maternal home for many years.

When Sadeu turned twelve, he is said to have insisted on meeting his sister. Guided by gifts from his mother, he traversed mountain paths, forests, and rivers to reach Sadei. The Kuldevi reportedly tested Sadeu, and upon seeing him, Sadei’s eyes filled with joyful tears.

According to the legend, Sadei remembered her promise to the goddess to offer Athvaad (seven goats and one buffalo). As she prepared the sacrifice, a celestial voice declared dissatisfaction with an animal offering. Sadei then offered herself, but the goddess insisted that she wanted the sacrifice of either her brother or her sons.

Sadei is believed to have chosen her love for her brother above all and offered her sons, Umra and Sumra. Pleased with her selflessness, Goddess Jhalimali instructed Sadei to return home. She returned despondent, only to find her sons alive and playing with their uncle, Sadeu, leaving her overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to her Kuldevi.

This story has since been sung in Garhwal as the Jagar folk tale. The final lines of the song read: “Blessed is the Holi of my sister Sadei, Blessed is the Holi of my brother Sadeu, Blessed is the love of my brother and sister… which we sang in this song."

Garhwali litterateur Pandit Taradatt Gairola immortalised this story in a poem named ‘Sadei’ in 1921, and historian Shiv Prasad Dabral republished it in 1971.

The tale of Sadei-Sadeu exemplifies the purity and sacrifice inherent in brother-sister relationships, preserving the memories of maternal homes and the profound love and sacrifices made for siblings.

Location :

Garhwal, India, India

First Published:

August 16, 2025, 17:08 IST

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