Ramanisblog

Tag: Lord Shiva

  • 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.

     

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  • Kasi Visalakshi Devi’s Wrist Varanasi Shakti Peeta

    Kanchi Kamakshi, with Her eyes bestows one’s desires,Kama, Madurai Meenakshi protects as a fish would by Her Eyes, Kasi Visalakshi bestows Grace with her compassion.

     

    Benares,Varanasi or Kasi is the place where The Devi’s wrist fell

     

    It is also said that it is Her Eyes or Ear Rings.

     

    .Varanasyam Vishalakshi, Kashmire tu Saraswati /
    Ashtadasha Shakti peethani, Yoginamapi durlabham //’ Ashtadasa Stotra, Adi Shankaracharya.

     

    Visalaksi,Varanasi
    Temple Varanasi,India
    Visalakshi,Varanasi

     

    Legend:

    History of the Vishalakshi Temple

     

    It is considered that the earrings or eyes of the Mata Sati have fallen in the Varanasi at this sacred spot. Kajali Tij, the most important Hindu festival for the Indian women, is celebrated at the Vishalakshi Temple very happily. This festival is held at the third day of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (August) during fortnight.

     

    Sati was the daughter of the Prajapati Daksha and She got married to the Lord Shiva against Her father wishes. Once, Prajapati Daksha had organized a great yagya but he did not call his daughter and his son in law. Sati was very sorrow from Her father’s such behavior. She reached there but got insulted from Her father as he ignored the Sati. She could not bear insult of his husband (Lord Shiva) and She had jumped into the fire of yagya and committed suicide. She died but Her dead body did not burn. Lord Shiva became angry and had taken His Virabhadra Rupa. He cut the head of Daksha but finally He forgave him by reviving his life again. The heartbroken Lord Shiva had wandered in the universe by taking the Sati’s corpse. Finally, Lord Vishnu dissected the corpse of the Sati into 52 parts by His Chakra. Each of the body part became Shakti Pitha. At the place where body piece had fallen on the earth had changed into the temple. Lord Shiva had created 52 Bhairava for each Shakti Pitha as a guardian to secure the Shakti Pitha. It is considered that Her eyes or earrings had fallen in the Varanasi that’s why the temple in Varanasi called as the Vishalakshi Temple.

     

    There are six points as a temple in the Varanasi which symbolizes Shastanga (six-fold) yoga. These are the Vishwanath Temple, the Vishalakshi Temple, the holy River Gange, the Kala Bhairava Temple, the Dhudiraj Temple (this temple is devoted to the Lord Ganesha) and the Dandapani temple (dedicated to Lord Shiva).

     

    Religious Significance of the Vishalakshi Temple

    Devotees take bathe in the holy water of the Gange just before offering worship to the Vishalakshi Maa. The devotees believe that offering puja, Jal, chanting songs to the goddess is highly profitable as Goddess provide success and wealth. Unmarried girls worship the Goddess Vishalakshi to find their groom, childless mother for getting a child and unfortunate people for their bright fortune.

     

    Devotees celebrate Navaratri at this temple in the month of October as well as celebrate the triumph of the Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon (Mahishasura). They celebrate other Navaratri in the fortnight of the Chaitra (March). At each nine days they worship Navadurga (nine Durgas).

     

    According to the Puranas, Vishalakshi Manikarnika or Vishalakshi Manikarni is one of the 52 Shakti Peethas. It is considered that the karna kundala (known as the earring) of the Sati fallen here that’s why known as the Manikarni or Manikarnika. In the Puranas, it is clearly mentioned that the Varanasi city will exist even after the Pralaya. Vishalakshi Temple is a powerful Shakti Peeth and is considered to bless to devotees a lot.”

     

    How to reach.

     

    Check the Link here.

     

     

    http://www.mustseeindia.com/Varanasi/how-to-reach

     

    Temple Timings.

     

    4.30 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 10 pm.

     

    Navaratri is special here.

     

    Please check my posts on Varanasi Sradham, Gaya.

     

    Citation:

    http://www.kalibhakti.com/vishalakshi/

     

     

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  • Draksharama Devi’s Left Cheek Shakthi Peeta

    Draksharama ,Andhra Pradesh,India is the place where the Devi‘s Left Cheek fell.

    Shakthi Peeta, Manikyamba, Draksharama
    Manikyamba Devi,Draksharama

    51 Syllables of DEVI 

    These 51 sylllables are represented in the 51 Shakti Peetas.

    The temple has four entrances in the outer prakara each marked with a gopuram, facing the four cardinal directions. On the south is the entrance to the inner prakara, which is lined by a pillared two-storeyed verandah. The main temple is twin storeyed. Two flights of stairs lead us into the upper level of the sanctum. This has a pillared pradakshina on three sides and a Garbhagriha. Bhimeswara is enshrined in the form of a ten feet high Shivalingam in this Garbhagriha. Another feature of the temple is the narrow mantapam that is seen in the premises. Shiva’s consort here is Manikyamba. The temple walls and pillars are decoratively carved with mythological figures.

    How to Reach Draksharamam.

    Draksharamam is 28 km  from Kakinada .

    And 40 km from Rajahmundry .

    Nearest  Railway stations are Kakinada, Samalkot,and Rajahmundry.

    Airport:Kakinada,Rajamundry.

    Temple Timings.

    Morning: 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM

    Evening: 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM

    But in every month on the day of Masa Shivaratri and in a year on the day of MahaShivaratri temple is opened all the time starting from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

    Draksharama is also one of the Five Powerful Temples of Lord Shiva.Pancharama Kshetras of Shiva.

    According to local legend, the temple was built by angels in one night. The construction of the perimeter wall could not be completed before sunrise and still stands incomplete. Several attempts have been made to construct the uncompleted part of the wall but all those efforts have failed with the constructed wall collapsing within a few months.

    The Siva deity is known as Bhimesvara Swamy. The temple is situated on the eastern bank of Godavari River. The consort of Lord Bhimesvara is Manikyamba. According to local belief the Siva linga at the temple was installed and established by the god Surya. Maha Shivaratri, Devi Navaratrulu, Karthika Masam, and Dhanurmasam are the main festivals celebrated at this temple.

    108 Shivite temples were built after 800 around this temple in a radius of 40 kilometers. Some purohits have this list.

    The village is called Dakshina Kasi. The Siva Linga in this temple is said to be one large crystal which is 2.6 meters high.

    The Legend:

    There are three stories related to Manikyamba devi. First one is, A Brahmin widow made a golden idol to remember her ďied daughter. But after some time, the idol got talking power. This idol was decorated with Manikyas(gems), hence the name Manikyamba or Manikyeswari. Bhimadeva, a new king came to this area taken that idol and worshiped her as his Kula devata. Some stories also tells us that Manikyamba name comes from a word Mainakamba, That means she was the daughter of Menaka devi, wife of Himavanta. Gradually the word Manikamba turned as Manikyamba in time period.

    There is another important story regarding Manikyamaba devi. Manikyamba devi is a daughter of a prostitute. One day she saw Lord Bhimeswara in her dream, and decided that she will marry Lord Bhimeswara only. She showed great devotion towards Lord Shiva, and finally got Lord Bhimeswara swamy as her husband. A great Poet Srinatha, belonging to 14th century also mentioned this story in his great work, Bhimakhanadam. From there onwards Manikyamba devi was worshiped as Mother goddess. Manikyamba devi also considered as Kula devata of vesyas.
    On every Ekadasi day Lord Bhimeswaraswamy and Manikyamba devi ekanta seva will be performed. Eight slokas will be sung by priests regarding Manikyamba devi and Bhimeswaraswamy and their romantic love story.Fridays also important days to worship Manikyamba devi. Kumkumarchana will be done in Fridays.

    Citation:

    Shakthi Peeta Draksharama

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  • Leaning Temple Of Shiva ,Huma

    The leaning tower of Pisa was built in 1173 AD, extending for 199 years.

    A leaning temple of Lord Shiva is on the banks of the River Mahanadi in Odisha.

    The leaning temple of Huma. Situated at the ba...
    The leaning temple of Huma. Situated at the banks of river Mahanadi. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

    The temple was rebuilt in the year by King Baliar Singh (1660-1690 A.D.), the fifth Chauhan king of Sambalpur. The rest of the temples were built during the rule of King Ajit Singh (1766-1788 A.D.) of Sambalpur.

    Date of the original building is not known.

    “The temple is positioned on the rocky cradle just on the bank of the river Mahanadi. The basis of leaning cannot be assumed to be the technical flaws at the time of construction. It is also not easily acceptable that weak foundation might have caused leaning attitude of the temple. In fact, construction of temple is quite favourite of Chauhan Kings as well known to us from innumerable temples built during their reigns. They had already established themselves as good builders. Again, the temple is not an enormous structure. There might have been interior displacement of the rocky bed on which it stands, either due to flood current in the river Mahanadi or earthquake, thus affecting the straight posture of the original temple.

    In other words, the plinth of the temple has deviated slightly from its original arrangement and as a result, the body of the temple has tilted. There is no denying the fact that this has fascinated the attention of historians, sculptures and other researchers. The surprising thing is, the main temple is tilted to one direction and other small temples are tilted to some other directions. Within the temple complex i.e. within the boundaries of temple, everything found to be in tilted condition including the boundaries and the angle of inclination is not changed since last 40/50 years as said by the villagers and priests. The reason of the tilt can be due to some geological reason, may be the earth crust is uneven in structure. The angle of inclination is yet to be measured.”

    The Legend:

    The worship of Shiva is said to have been initiated by a milkman, who daily crossed the Mahanadi to a place on the bank where the underlying rock cropped out. Here he daily offered his dole of milk, which was at once consumed by the rock, and this miraculous circumstance led to enquiries, which ended in the construction of the present temple:

    How to reach:

    Huma,  is a village situated on the bank of the Mahanadi, 23 km south of Sambalpur in the Indian state of Orissa.

    Railway Station.Sambalpur.

    The temple is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva.

    Source:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaning_Temple_of_Huma

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  • Temple Where Nandi Grows No Crows

    Sounds incredible?

    True,

    Nandi at Yganti Temple grows.
    Nandi That grows

    There is a Temple in Yaganti Andhra Pradesh, India, 100 km from Kurnool.

    The devotees believe that the Nandi ( Bullock , Lord Shiva’s) idol in front of the temple is continuously increasing its size. The locals say that the idol was initially much smaller than its present size. They say that certain experimentation was carried out on this idol and it was said that the type of rock out of which the idol is carved has a growing or enlarging nature associated with it. As per Archaeological Survey of India the rock grows at the rate of 1 inch per 20 years (10 mm per 8 years).

     

    It is said that people used to do Pradakshinas (rounds) around it in the past. The temple staff has already removed one pillar as the size of the Nandi has increased.

    According to Potuluri Veera Brahmendra swamy, the Basavanna (stone nandi) of Yaganti will come alive and shout when Kali Yuga ends.

     

    Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple is one of the few temples patronized by one of the great dynasties of India. Every year Maha Shivaratri is celebrated and a large number of devotees from all over Andhra Pradesh visit. Shiva, Parvati and Nandi are the main deities in this temple.This temple is 14 km away from Banaganipalli in Kurnool district.

    Yaganti Shiva temple
    Uma Maheshwara temple,Yaganti

    The Legend:

    This temple was constructed by King Harihara Bukka Rayalu of the Sangama Dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th century. It was built according to Vaishnavaite traditions.

    One story of the site’s origin is as follows: The sage Agastya wanted to build a temple for Lord Venkateswara on this site. However, the statue that was made could not be installed as the toe nail of the idol got broken. The sage was upset over this and performed a penance for Lord Shiva. When Lord Shiva appeared, he said the place suits Shiva better as it resembles Kailash. Agastya then requested Lord Shiva to give the devotees a Parvathi Goddess as Lord Uma Maheswara in a single stone, which Lord Shiva obliged.

    A second story is as follows: Chitteppa, a devotee of Lord Shiva, was worshiping Lord Shiva and Lord Shiva appeared to him as a tiger. Chitteppa understood that it was Lord Shiva in tiger form, and shouted Neganti Shivanu ne kanti (meaning: I saw Shiva I saw), and danced with joy. There is a cave called Chitteppa nearby.

    The story according to the priests is that when the sage Agastya completed his uttara desha yatra and started dakshina desha yatra he found the beautiful and pleasant place called yaganti( Nekanti-i have seen)and thought to build a temple for Lord Venkateswara on this site . while roaming around caves one of the caves was found to have a very old statue of Lord Vishnu . After all the yagna, homa and pooja he found that the statue really contains a small defect as broken nail on the foot thumb finger. To seek an explanation he prayed to Shiva and Shiva explained that at this place which contains natural springs and nature only I can be worshipped. Then the sage Agastya asked a boon to Shiva to reside in this place for eternity with Mother Parvathi. So this place is called as Umamahesware (Uma: parvathi, Maheswara: shiva) temple. The shrine contains the statue of Shiva and Parvathi on a single stone.

    The temple has Caves as well, where sage Agastya stayed.

    Please check the Link.

    Source:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaganti

     

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