Ramanisblog

Tag: Amarnath Temple

  • Where Shiva Sacrificed Moon Chandra Mouleeswara Chandanbadi

    There is dearth of information about Shiva as Chandramouleswara.

    I came to know of Chandramouleeswara, when I was ver young, during the visit of Sringeri Jagadguru His Holiness Abhinava Vidya Theertha Swamigal, Sri Sringeri Sarada Mutt, to my Home at Srivilliputhur.

    The name was quite different and many did not know much about it.

    Shiva as Chandramouleeswara.

    Shiva without Moon on the Forehead.jpg Shiva without Moon on the Forehead.

    Our Puranas have it that Lord Shiva sacrificed Moon, Chandra from His Head on His journey to Amarnath.

    And the Moon awaited His return.

    This place is Chandanpadi, Jammmu & Kashmir, on the way to Amarnath.

    “the next place after Pahalgam is Chandanbadi. It is 16 kms from Pahalgam. According to beliefs, Lord Shiva did a very unique thing here. Also known as Chandramauli, Lord Shiva sacrificed the moon from his head here. The moon then waited for Lord Shiva to return here. This is how the name of this place became Chandanbadi’.

    Scroll down for Sivasarana Chandra Mouli Stotra.

    Chandanbadi, Pahalgam.jpg Chandanbadi, Pahalgam.

    How To reach Chandanbadi.

    Situated 16-km from Pahalgam, Chandanwari is the starting point of the Amarnath Yatra, which takes place every year in the month of Sawan (Rain). It is famous for snow sledging on a snow bridge.Taxi cabs can be hired from Pahalgam for a roundtrip. The trip takes about four-five hours on a semi-road that has the Lidder river meandering on the one side, and lofty, snow-capped mountains on the other. Some people prefer to do a day hike to Chandanwari.At Chandanwari, the Sheeshnag river is captivating with its sheer force and clear waters. You can get an opportunity to do sledge riding and get up to some heights, upto the fifth point which is also a route that yatris take to reach the Amarnath Cave. “Snow fights” is what people generally indulge in here before they sledge back down. Many prefer to sip a cup of tea of snack at the near by dhabas.Hajan, on the way to Chandanwari is an idyllic spot for a picnic. Filmgoers will recognize it instantly as it has been the location of several movie scenes.”Betaab Valley” is the place where they shot the famous scenes from movie Betaab.

    Chandanwari is also known for its natural attractions. It has some of the best picnic spots and is reachable by road. Mini buses operate from Pahalgam to Chandanwari. The weather can be very unpredictable at the place so do carry some warm clothes and rain coats as well.

    • Special Features : The Pony ride and the Palanquin rides are a must do however, if you do like trekking then a walk to the caves is a must do. The place is also famous for its picnic spots and its natural beauty.
    • Connectivity : The place is connected by road however, to go up to the caves you need to either walk or take a pony ride or a Palanquin ride.
    • Dressing restrictions : Carry something for rain and cold weather as the weather can be very unpredictable at the place.
    • Nuisance : The place is calm and free of irritants
    • Best time to visit : During the summers from the mid April to mid June is good time to visit the place.
    • Entry fee : No entry fee is charged
    • Suggestions : Do be well prepared for the weather changes.

    There is a Temple near Unkal circle and Unkal Lake on Old NH4 between Hubli and Dharwad.

    Chandramouleshwar is a 900-year-old temple from the Badami Chalukyan era. It was built on the lines of Badami, Aihole and Pattadakaltemples, is a Monument of National Importance, and is designated as a Protected Monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites (Act (1958)) by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

    • Unlike other Shiva temples in the North Karnataka region, the Chandramouleshwar Temple has four doors in as many directions, altogether accounting for twelve doors in the temple besides two Shivalingams and two Naandi statutes at the entrance. One of the two lingams is the ‘Chaturmukha Lingam’, a four-faced Shiva lingam, which is the speciality of the temple.

    Chaturlingam

    Four faced Shiiva Linga, Hubli Dharwad.jpg Four Faced Lingam at Unkal, Hubli Dharwar. “Chaturmukhalingam” by Chetuln – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chaturmukhalingam.JPG#/media/File:Chaturmukhalingam.JPG
    • The temple has sculpted walls and pillars of black granite stones. Images of dancing Lord Ganesha and jaalandhra at are a visual delight.

    Citation.

    http://www.jktourism.org/chandanwari.html

  • Ravanas Descendants India Perform Sraddha

    Ravana‘s descendants’ and his wife Mandodari‘s home is in India.

     

    It is referred to as Mandodari’s Ravana’s In Laws’ Home,Ravan Ki Sasural’.

     

    Mandor where Ravana Married Mandodari.jpg
    Mandor where Ravana Married Mandodari.

     

    The structure where the Altar of Ravan's marriage stands is a protected monument today.jpg
    The structure where the Altar of Ravan’s marriage stands is a protected monument today.

     

    It is Meerut, India.

     

    The place where Ravana got married  to Mandodari is Mandor, is a town located 9 km north of Jodhpur city, in the Indian state of Rajasthan.

     

    This is also the place where Rama’s Father Dasaratha, killed a Rishi’s son, Shravana Jumar, thinking he was a Deer and was cursed by his parents that Dasaratha shall die of separation from His son.

     

    There is an old Chandi Devi temple in the compound of Nauchandi ground. It is believed that Ravan’s wife Mandodari used to come here to worship Goddess Chandi and since then every year a fete (Nauchandi Mela) is held in sacred days of Navratri ( also called days of Goddess )

     

    After the archaeological excavations at ‘Vidura-ka-tila’, a collection of several mounds named after Vidura, in 1950–52, a site 37 km (23 miles) north-east of Meerut, it was concluded to be remains of the ancient city of Hastinapur, the capital of Kauravasand Pandavas of Mahabharata, which was washed away by Ganges floods.

    Meerut also contained a Harappan settlement known as Alamgirpur. It was also the easternmost settlement of the Indus valley civilisation. Meerut had been a centre ofBuddhism in the period of Mauryan Emperor Ashoka (r. 273 BC to 232 BC.), and remains of Buddhist structures were found near the Jama Masjid in the present day city.

     

    The descendants of Ravana through his wife Mandodari , it is claimed, live in Jodhpur, India.

     

    They offer Sraddha or rites to the depated, Ravana during Dusshera.

    “While the people throughout the country celebrate Dussehra, an occasion marking the triumph of good over evil, a section of about 100 families believed to be descendants of Ravana, mourn the death of the demon king. These families of Dave, Godha and Srimal clans settled in different localities of the walled city do not celebrate the occasion, instead they mourn and observe post cremation rituals after burning the effigies of Ravana, kumbhkarna and Meghnaad. It is said that people migrated from Sri Lanka in Jodhpur, Phalodi and some places in Gujarat belong to the Ravana’s clans and his extended family. Till recently these community people used to observe mourning and related rituals collectively but of late they have started to observe the same at individual level. Families of these clans also perform the “Shraadh karma” (death anniversary) of the demon king on 10th day during the Pitra Paksha (first fortnight of Ashwin month of India Vikram Calendar), Akshya Jyotish Research Centre Head Kamlesh Dave said. “We do consider Ravana a learned pundit and a devotee of Lord Shiva. A Ravana Temple has been constructed in the Amarnath Temple premises in Chandpol locality here in which Ravana is shown worshipping Lord Shiva,” Mr Dave said.

    Read more at: http://news.oneindia.in/2008/10/09/descendants-of-ravana-hold-mourning-on-dussehra-1223535753.html

    http://news.oneindia.in/2008/10/09/descendants-of-ravana-hold-mourning-on-dussehra-1223535753.html

    http://creative.sulekha.com/mandodari-mandor-ravan-jee-ki-chanwari_63468_blog

    Related articles

  • Devi’s Sin Absolved ,Throat Mahamaya, Amarnath Shakti Peeta

    Devi‘s Throat/Neck fell here near Pahalgam,Jammu Kashmir,India.

     

    I have completed posting articles on the Ashtadasa(18) Peetas of Shakti as descrbed by Adi Shankaracharya.

     

    I am planning, DV, on the 52/101 Shakti Peetas as well.

     

     

    Mahmaya,Pahalgam
    Mahamaya,Amarnath
    Mahamaya,Amarnath
    Ice Linga,Amarnath

     

     

    The Legend:

    he cave is said to be about 5000 years old.

    There is a reference about King Aryaraja dating back to 300 BCE who used to worship a ling formed in ice in Kashmir.

    The book Rajatarangini (is a historical chronicle written in verse form in sanskrit particularly about the kings of Kashmir) has references to Amarnath or Amareshwara. Suryamathi, a queen gifted Trishul, banalingas and other sacred emblems to the temple in 11th Century AD.

    Puranic References

    According to one reference/narration Lord Shiva led an ascetic life after the death of Sati.

    Then Sati was reborn as Parvati, the daughter of Himavan.

    As Parvati knew about her earlier life as Devi Sati, Parvati did severe tapas to reunite with Lord Shiva at Amarnath.

    Devi Parvati then joins Lord Shiva as Mahamaya at Amarnath.

    Along with the Ice Linga, there are two other lingas representing Devi Parvati and Ganesh.

    Another narration/reference is that Lord Shiva explained the secret of immortality and creation of Universe to Devi Parvati which is as follows:

     

    Once Devi Parvati wanted to know when and why Lord Shiv was wearing the Mund Mala (chain worn around Lord Shiva’s neck made of beads of head)

    Lord Shiva replied that each time Parvati was born, another bead of head gets added to his mala (chain).

    Devi Parvati was astonished at this and asked Lord Shiva that though she was going through the cycle of birth and death time and again, how come He was immortal.

    Parvati pleaded with Shiva to reveal the mystery of eternity.

    Lord Shiva chose a place where no living being could listen and thus chose Amarnath cave. As Lord Shiva started towards Amarnath cave,

    He left His Nandi (bull which He used to ride) at Phalgham (Bali gaon). At Chandanwari, He released Moon from his Hair( Jatta).

    He released the snakes on the banks of Lake Sheshnag.  Lord Shiva left Ganesha, his son at Mahagunas Parvat (Mahaganesh Hill).

    Finally Lord Shiva left Panch bhootas or five elements (Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Sky) which make a living being at Panchtarni.

    It is said that Lord Shiva and Parvati did Tandav nritya as a symbol of sacrificing the Panch Boothas.

    After leaving all these behind, Lord Siva then entered the Holy Amarnath Cave along with Devi Parvati.

    In the cave, Lord Shiva took Samadhi on the Deer Skin.

    As Lord Shiva wanted the immortal tale to be kept a secret, He created a Rudra named Kalagni and ordered him to spread fire to eliminate every living thing in and around the Holy Cave.

    After this, He narrated the secret of immortality to Devi Parvati.

    But, there was one egg which was lying beneath the Deer skin which remained protected.

    It was believed to be non living besides, being protected by Shiva-

    Parvati Asan (Bed). The pair of pigeons which were born out of this egg became immortal after having heard the secret of immortality (Amar Khatha) from Lord Shiva.

    Many devotees who visit Amarnath cave report about having sighted the pair of pigeons en route to the Ice-Linga.

    Another narration/reference is about the cave is that the Kashmir valley was under water. Sage Kashyap drained the water through number of rivers and rivulets.

    Another reference is that Sage Bhrigu visited The Himalayas during that time and he was the first to visit the Amarnath cave.

     

     

    How to Reach:

     

    Amarnath: Mahamaya (Kashmira):

     

    Anantnag district,Near Pahalgam

    a) Amarnath yatra is very famous, done in July/ August, only when Amar Shivling is available to humans.
    We can join the yatra either from Delhi or from Srinagar.
    Helicopter service is also available.

    b) According to some people, it is the Maha Maya temple located at about 5 K.m from Jammu on the by-pass road, behind Bahu Fort,
    near river Tawi.
    Citation,

     

    Mahmaya Shakti Peeta

     

    Indian Scriptures.

     

    Related articles
    Enhanced by Zemanta