12 Jyotirlinga

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The 12 Jyotirlingas are sacred sancturies devoted to Lord Shiva, and they hold important significance in Hindu mythology. Each Jyotirlinga represents a unique incarnation of Lord Shiva's divine power. Here's a brief overview of the story behind each of the 12 Jyotirlingas:

1. Somnath (Prabhas Patan, Saurashtra, Gujarat):

The first Jyotirlinga, Somnath, is said to have been established by the Moon God (Chandra) to seek penance for his sins. The temple has been rebuilt several times due to various historical events.

2. Mallikarjuna (Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh):

Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is positioned on the Shri Shaila mountain on the banks of the Krishna River. The temple is associated with the legend of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati.

3. Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh):

Mahakaleshwar is located in Ujjain and is believed to be the spot where Lord Shiva appeared as a column of light (Jyotirlinga) to master the demon Dushana.

4. Omkareshwar (Mandhata Island, Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh):

The Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is positioned on an island in the Narmada River and represents Lord Shiva as the "Om" sound, the early sound of creation.

5. Kedarnath (Kedarnath, Uttarakhand):

Kedarnath is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in the Himalayas. The Jyotirlinga here is associated with the Pandavas from the Mahabharata and is believed to have been established by them.

6. Bhimashankar (Pune, Maharashtra):

Bhimashankar is located in the Sahyadri Range, and its origin is linked to a battle between Lord Shiva and the demon Tripurasura.

7. Kashi Vishwanath (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh):

Kashi Vishwanath, positioned in Varanasi, is one of the holiest temples in India. The Jyotirlinga represents Lord Shiva's incarnation as the sovereign of the universe.

8. Trimbakeshwar (Nashik, Maharashtra):

Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga is located near Nashik and is associated with the source of the Godavari River. It is believed to have been established by Rishi Gautama.

9. Vaidyanath (Deoghar, Jharkhand):

Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga is positioned in Deoghar and is connected to the legend of Goddess Sati's limbs falling here during Lord Shiva's Tandava dance.

10. Nageshwar (Dwarka, Gujarat):

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is positioned near Dwarka and is associated with the story of a demon named Daruka and the demoness who sought blessings from Lord Shiva.

11. Rameshwar (Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu):

Rameshwar Jyotirlinga is located on Rameswaram Island and is connected to the story of Lord Rama installing a Shivalinga here after the Ramayana.

12. Grishneshwar (Aurangabad, Maharashtra):

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is situated near Ellora Caves and is linked to the story of a pious woman named Kusuma seeking Lord Shiva's blessings.

Devotees believe that visiting these Jyotirlingas and seeking Lord Shiva's blessings can grant them spiritual enlightenment and fulfillment of their wishes.

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Kedareshwar Cave Temple

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The Kedareshwar Cave Temple is a significant and ancient rock-cut temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in the Ellora Caves complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site situated near Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar in the state of Maharashtra, India. The Ellora Caves are renowned for their stunning rock-cut architecture, which includes temples, monasteries, and other structures carved into the Charanandri Hills.

The Kedareshwar Cave Temple, numbered as Cave 34 in the Ellora Caves sequence, is particularly noteworthy for its unique design and the intricate sculptures that adorn its interiors. The Kedareshwar Cave Temple is carved out of a single rock, showcasing remarkable craftsmanship. The temple's layout consists of a central shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, along with various sculptures and carvings that depict scenes from Hindu mythology and legends. The sanctum houses a Shiva Linga (an iconic representation of Lord Shiva) that serves as the primary deity.

The Shiva Linga of this temple is located below the mountain and only one single pillar is holding the whole mountain, as the other three pillars are broken. It is said that each pillar belongs to each Yuga. The Pillars breaks as each Yuga ends and at the end of Kaliyug the last pillar will also break. It is said that the water surrounded around Shiva Linga is hot during winter and cool during summer and during monsoon when water around the Linga gets filled up, the Shiva Linga automatically rises above.

The temple's walls are adorned with intricate sculptures, including depictions of deities, celestial beings, and various mythological narratives. These carvings reflect the artistic prowess of the craftsmen who worked on the temple. Some of the sculptures illustrate episodes from the Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.One of the distinctive features of the Kedareshwar Cave Temple is the presence of a massive sculpture of Nandi, the sacred bull that serves as Lord Shiva's mount, in front of the sanctum. This sculpture is intricately carved and adds to the temple's artistic grandeur.

Visiting the Kedareshwar Cave Temple and the Ellora Caves complex provides a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of ancient India and offers a spiritual and aesthetic experience for those who appreciate art and history.

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Shakti Peethas

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The Shakti Peethas are revered pilgrimage sites in Hinduism that are associated with the divine feminine energy, known as Shakti or Devi. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that when Sati, Lord Shiva's consort, immolated herself in the fire of her father's Yagna, Lord Shiva, who was devastated by the loss of his wife, carried her in his arm and started performing Krodh Tandav with grief and anger. The universe trembled seeing this and to stop Lord Shiva's fury, Lord Vishnu used Sudarshan Chakra to scatter Sati,s body and each body part fell in different locations across the Indian subcontinent, and those places became powerful centers of worship.

There are traditionally considered to be 51 Shakti Peethas, although the exact number may vary according to different interpretations. Each Shakti Peetha is associated with a specific body part or ornament of Sati. These holy sites hold immense religious significance and attract devotees from far and wide. Shakti Peethas are believed to be places where devotees can connect with the divine feminine and seek blessings, protection, and spiritual enlightenment. Pilgrims undertake arduous journeys to these sites, often enduring physical hardships as acts of devotion.

Each Shakti Peetha has its own unique story and associated legends. Some of the prominent Shakti Peethas include:

1. Kamakhya Devi Temple, Assam: This temple is associated with Sati's yoni (reproductive organ). It is believed to be the place where her womb and vagina fell.

2. Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu and Kashmir: This holy shrine is associated with Sati's right arm. It is a popular pilgrimage site, situated atop the Trikuta Mountains.

3. Kalighat Kali Temple, West Bengal: It is associated with Sati's toes. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali, who is considered to be a fierce incarnation of Devi.

4. Chamundeshwari Temple, Karnataka: This temple is associated with Sati's hair. It is located atop the Chamundi Hills in Mysore and is an important religious site in South India.

5. Vindhyavasini Devi Temple, Uttar Pradesh: This temple is associated with Sati's earrings. It is situated in Vindhyachal, near Mirzapur, and is considered one of the most sacred Shakti Peethas.

These are just a few examples of the numerous Shakti Peethas spread across the Indian subcontinent. Each site carries its own mystical aura and serves as a focal point for devotion and spiritual practices. Pilgrims visit these holy places to offer prayers, perform rituals, and seek blessings for various aspects of their lives.

The list of 51 Shakti Peethas for reference: 

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Shiva and Sati

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Do you know the story of Lord Shiva and Sati? 

Lord Shiva, the supreme deity of destruction and transformation, resided in eternal meditation in Kailash. His divine energy radiated throughout the cosmos, captivating the hearts of gods and humans alike. Also, there lived a beautiful and devout princess named Sati. She was born into the prestigious family of King Daksha, who ruled over a prosperous kingdom. From a young age, Sati was drawn to the path of spirituality and had an intense desire to seek Lord Shiva as her husband.

Sati's devotion and longing for Lord Shiva grew stronger with each passing day. Her heart burned with love and reverence for the mighty deity. Upon reaching Kailash, Sati immersed herself in rigorous penance, meditating for years to win the favor of Lord Shiva. Her devotion and unwavering faith caught the attention of Lord Shiva and he was moved by her sincerity, decided to bestow his grace upon her. Captivated by Sati's devotion and purity of heart. He accepted her as his consort, and they entered into a divine union, becoming one in their love and devotion for each other. 

Daksha organised a grand Yagna as he had a deep dislike for Shiva so he did not invite him to the yagna. Sati, feeling deeply hurt by her father's actions, decided to attend the yagna against Shiva's advice. When Sati arrived at the yagna, Daksha humiliated her and spoke ill of Lord Shiva in front of all the assembled guests. Unable to bear the insults towards her beloved husband, Sati was consumed by immense rage and decided to sacrifice her own life in the fire of the yagna. News of Sati's death reached Lord Shiva, who was devastated by the loss of his beloved wife. In his grief and anger, Shiva plucked a lock of his hair and threw it on the ground. From this lock of hair, Veerabhadra emerged.

Veerabhadra was an incredibly powerful and fearsome form of Shiva. He had a thousand arms, a thousand fiery eyes, and wore a garland of skulls. Accompanied by an army of fierce beings, Veerabhadra stormed Daksha's yagna and wreaked havoc. He destroyed the sacrificial fire, disrupted the proceedings, and caused chaos and destruction.

In the midst of the chaos, Veerabhadra located Daksha and beheaded him, thus avenging Sati's death and punishing Daksha for his disrespect towards Lord Shiva. The other gods and sages present at the yagna were filled with fear and awe at the display of Veerabhadra's power.

Veerabhadra

The gods feared that the world would be destroyed by Lord Shiva's fury. To calm his wrath and protect the world, Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, intervened. He used his divine Sudarshan Chakra to sever the lifeless body of Sati, scattering her remains across various sacred sites on Earth. These sites came to be known as Shakti Peethas, powerful energy centers associated with the divine feminine.

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Madhurai Meenakshi Sundareswara Temple

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Madhurai Meenakshi Sundareswara Temple is a historic temple located near the bank of river Vaigai in Madhurai, Tamil Nadu, India. The deity worshiped here is Goddess Meenakshi (Parvati) and Lord Sundareswara (Shiva). The name Meenakshi means Fish Eyed Goddess. The temple is 1400 years old

 The Story begins with the Pandyan King Malayadhwaja and Queen Kanchanmala, they wanted a Son. So they performed a Yagna but instead a girl appeared from Yagna fire. The princess was considered the incarnation of Goddess Parvati but was born with Three Breasts. With the advise of gods the royal couple accepted the girl as their daughter and brought her up as heir of the throne. As per the prediction of astrologers, the third breast would disappear when she meets her husband.

After the death of the King Malayadhwaja, young Meenakshi became the Queen. Leading her army and conquering many kingdom, she moved to Swarga in Himalayas and came in conflicts with the gods. The gods went to Shiva and requested him to save them. When Lord Shiva appeared on the battlefield Meenakshi's third breast vanished, as she realised this she asked Shiva to marry her.

As Shiva accepted her proposal, he asked her to return to Madurai and wait for him. He visited her after 8 days in the form of Sundareswara and married her in a magnificent ceremony called Thirukalyanam. Lord Vishnu came on a Golden horse and gave away his sister Devi Meenakshi to marry Lord Sundareswara. Later they has 2 Sons Subramanya (Kartikeya) and Ganesha. It is said that Subramanya also celebrated his marriage in Madurai

The Icon of Meenakshi shows her holding parrot, symbol of Kama, god of love. On the temple of the wall is the image of her marriage. According to myth, Goddess Meenakshi had a dusky complexion as her Dravadian origin. And when a dusky woman applies turmeric on her face, they get a greenish tint and thus Meenakshi Amman is depicted green in color. 

Another striking point of Meenakshi Temple is the engraving. These engraving can be seen on the walls to the sancturies of Sundareswarar and Meenakshi Amma shrine. Every part of the temple is an illustration of mesmerizing artificer. The majestic structure of this temple along with compelling sculptures, drawings, paintings and serenity of religious piousness mesmerizes every visitor.

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