The Curse of Gandhari

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Gandhari was the queen of King Dhritarashtra, who was blind, and she also voluntarily blindfolded herself for life as a sign of empathy for her husband. Gandhari is often depicted as a symbol of virtue, devotion, and sacrifice. 

The curse of Gandhari is associated with the tragic events of the Kurukshetra War, a great war that took place between the Kauravas (the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra) and the Pandavas (cousins of the Kauravas). The war was a result of the longstanding rivalry and conflict between the two factions. Gandhari had a hundred sons, the Kauravas, who were on the opposing side of the war against the Pandavas. Despite her love for her sons, she was aware of their wrongful actions and the injustices they had committed. She was disappointed with her husband Dhritarashtra for not reigning in their behavior and for supporting their unjust actions.

As the Kurukshetra War reached its climax, Gandhari approached Lord Krishna, who was a key advisor to the Pandavas, seeking his intervention to prevent further bloodshed. She cursed Krishna, blaming him for not using his divine power to prevent the war and the resulting destruction. Her curse to Krishna was "May you, Krishna, the cause of this war, witness the annihilation of your own dynasty, and may you die alone and in despair, just as I will die grieving for my own lost sons."

This curse is believed to have been one of the contributing factors to the eventual demise of the Yadava dynasty, to which Krishna belonged. The Yadava dynasty faced infighting and self-destruction, leading to the fulfillment of Gandhari's curse.

The curse of Gandhari is a poignant reminder of the tragic consequences of war, human conflict, and the complexities of morality in the context of ancient Indian mythology and literature.

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The Vow of Bhishma Pitamah

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Bhishma Pitamah, also known as Bhishma, is a central character in the Indian epic, the Mahabharata. He was a prominent warrior and a key figure in the Kuru dynasty. Bhishma is known for his unwavering dedication to principles and his pivotal role in the events leading up to and during the Kurukshetra War.

One of the most notable aspects of Bhishma's character is his vow of lifelong celibacy, known as "Bhishma Pratigya" or "Bhishma Vow." This vow was a result of a complex set of circumstances and personal choices. Bhishma was born as Devavrata, the son of King Shantanu and the river Goddess Ganga. He earned the name "Bhishma" (meaning "terrible" or "fearsome") due to his extraordinary prowess in battle. Bhishma's vow of celibacy was made to ensure the happiness of his father and to avoid any potential succession disputes in the kingdom.

The story starts with the King....

King Shantanu fell in love with a beautiful woman named Satyavati, who lived by the river. Satyavati's father had a condition that only her children could inherit the throne. However, Shantanu's eldest son, Bhishma (then Devavrata), could not ascend the throne if he were to marry and have children. Seeing his father's love and desire for Satyavati, Devavrata made a vow of celibacy to ensure his father's happiness.

Devavrata took a solemn vow that he would remain celibate for life, renouncing his right to the throne and any potential progeny. This act was intended to ensure that any descendants of Satyavati would be eligible to inherit the throne without any competition from Devavrata's lineage. In recognition of his selfless sacrifice and the magnitude of his vow, Devavrata was given the name "Bhishma" by his father, signifying his fearsome resolve and dedication to his promise. Shantanu gave boon to Bhishma of "Ichha Mrityu" (Euthanasia) which simply meant he can control his death. 

Bhishma's vow of celibacy had far-reaching consequences. While it preserved his father's happiness and helped prevent potential conflicts over the throne, it also resulted in Bhishma's prolonged life due to his inability to die at will. This immortality in battle played a significant role in the events of the Mahabharata, as Bhishma fought valiantly on the side of the Kauravas during the Kurukshetra War.

Bhishma's character is often admired for his unwavering commitment to his principles, even in the face of personal sacrifice and challenging circumstances.

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Kolhapur Mahalaxmi Temple

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The Mahalaxmi Temple in Kolhapur is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to the Goddess Mahalaxmi, who is revered as the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and well-being. The temple is located in the city of Kolhapur in the state of Maharashtra, India. The temple holds immense religious and cultural significance and is a popular pilgrimage site.

The story of the Kolhapur Mahalaxmi Temple is steeped in mythology and legends. One of the most well-known legends associated with the temple revolves around the deity's origins and how the temple came into existence.

Legend of the Origin of the Mahalaxmi Idol:

According to a popular legend, there was a demon named Kolhasura who had acquired immense power through penance and was causing havoc in the region. To counter his tyranny, the gods sought the help of Lord Vishnu, and together they waged a fierce battle against Kolhasura. Ultimately, the demon was defeated and killed, but he begged for a boon that his name would be immortalized in the region.

As a result, the region came to be known as Kolhapur (Kolha's Pur, meaning "City of Kolha"). To honor this request, a temple was constructed, and the Goddess Mahalaxmi was enshrined there as the presiding deity. It is believed that the idol of Mahalaxmi was sculpted by the divine architect, Lord Vishwakarma, and it is an important form of the goddess in the region.

Other Stories and Significance:

The Mahalaxmi Temple in Kolhapur is also associated with various other legends and historical accounts. It is said to have been visited by several saints and philosophers, adding to its spiritual aura.

The temple complex itself is a beautiful architectural marvel, reflecting the characteristic style of Western Indian temple architecture. The main sanctum houses the idol of Mahalaxmi, which is adorned with rich jewelry and garments. The temple also features intricately carved pillars, sculptures, and a unique Shikhara (tower) that stands out as an architectural wonder. You can witness before sunset, the sun rays bow at the feet of Goddess Mahalaxmi through a window, for a while before vanishing.

It is said that on specific days of year the sun rays directly fall on the Murti. The sun rays falls on 31st January, 1nd February and 2nd February and again it falls on the Murti on 9th November, 10th November and 11th November. When this happens Kirnotsav is observed in the Temple.

Devotees from all over India visit the Mahalaxmi Temple to seek the blessings of the goddess and offer prayers for prosperity and well-being. The temple is particularly famous for its Navaratri celebrations, during which grand festivities are held in honor of the goddess.

The Mahalaxmi Temple holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Maharashtra and continues to be a center of devotion, spirituality, and cultural heritage.

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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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Panjurli Daiva

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Panjurli Daiva is a significant and intriguing figure in the folk traditions of coastal Karnataka, India. The term "Panjurli" is derived from the words "Panju," meaning wild boar, and "Daiva," meaning deity or spirit. It is believed Panjurli daiva possesses the ability to heal diseases, protect against evil spirits and bring prosperity. He also protects the field.

The story of Panjurli Daiva is deeply rooted in the cultural and spiritual beliefs of the people of Tulunadu. It revolves around the worship of ancestral spirits and natural forces that are believed to influence and impact the lives of the community members.

According to legends, A Wild Boar was found dead in Lord Shiva's pleasure garden. The Boar's progany was adopted by Parvati. The Young boar became destructive as he grew older and started destroying crops, plants and trees in Shiva's garden. Lord Shiva got angry and decided to kill the boar, but Parvati took boar's side and stopped Shiva from killing him and asked to forgive him for his mistake.

Instead of killing the boar, Lord Shiva banished the boar to earth and gave him task to protect the people and their fields. The Boar became daiva from then and people started praying him he was started knowing as "Parjurli Daiva".

 His spirit embodies itself into the Kola dancers and speaks to his people, also protect and blesses them.

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Guliga Daiva

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Daivas are worshiped in Southern Karnataka and part of Kerala. They are considered as Demigods (Bhuta) to whom certain responsibilities are given by the almighty. Every house in Tulunadu has a particular Daiva to whom they worship. For them they organize Kola also known as Bhuta Kola. There are many Demigods to whom people of Tulunadu worship namely Varthe, Panjurli, Koragajja, Guliga, Jumadi, Kallurti, Kalkuda, Koti Chennayya and others. Daivas are called Kshetrapals or the guardian deities of a particular land. 

Guliga Daiva is the oldest daiva of Tulunadu. He is known with different names in different places. Guliga daiva is considered among Shiva Gana.

According to legends, One day in Kailasa, Parvati found a stone in ashes she took it to Shiva who threw the stone and Guliga appeared from that stone. He was sent to serve Lord Vishnu, but due to his destructive behavior Vishnu cursed him to take birth from the stomach of Nellaulla-Sanke. 

When Nellualla Sanke was 9 months pregnant, the baby in her stomach asked her from which path of stomach should he take birth, the mother replied him to take birth as a normal baby. The baby rejected  her advise and came out tearing his mother's belly. He was uncontrollably hungry and started eating everything, he even tried eating the sun, he drank all the water from Vishnu's Lake and ate all fishes. He was even given blood to drink but his hunger did not end. 

Lord Vishnu appeared in front of him and gave his little finger to eat, his stomach was full and he was sent on earth for evil sacrifice. One day Jala Durge were sailing on the sea when they saw Guliga and gave shelter to him. Later he was blessed and appointed as the Protector (Kshetrapal) of that temple. When a battle was fought between Guliga Daiva and Panjurli Daiva, Jala Durge calmed them and advised to live like a sibling. That's why in some places they are worshiped together.

In different places and merging with different spirits he is worshipped in the form of Subbi Guliga,  Raja Guliga, Mantra Guliga, Rahu Guliga, Mookamba Guliga and many others 

The Daiva is considered to get rid of evil and infuse discipline among his devotees. His Idol is unstructured stone mostly placed in open space under the tree.

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Barbarik: Khatu Shyam

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The Story of Barbarik is from the time of Mahabharat. The Pandavas wandering forest after saving their lives met a demoness named Hidimba. She wanted to have Bheem as her husband. By the order of Mother Kunti, Bheem and Hidimba got married, from which Ghatotkach was born. The son of Ghatotkach was Barbarik who was more powerful and elusive than his father. Barbarik was a worshiper of Goddess. With the boon of the Goddess, he had received three divine arrows which pierced their target and returned back. Because of them Barbaric had become invincible.

During the war of Mahabharata, Barbarik was coming to Kurukshetra with the intention of seeing the war. Shri Krishna knew that if Barbarik joined the war, the result would be against the Pandavas. To stop Barbarik, Shri Krishna disguised himself in the form of a Poor Brahmin. Becoming ignorant, Shri Krishna asked Barbarik who you are and why you are going to Kurukshetra. In response, Barbarik told that he is a charitable warrior who can decide the Mahabharata war with only one of his arrows. When Shri Krishna wanted to test him, he shot an arrow which pierced all the leaves of the Peepal tree. A leaf was under Shri Krishna's feet, so the arrow stopped above his feet.

Shri Krishna was amazed by Barbarik's ability and wanted to prevent him from participating in the war by any means. For this, Shri Krishna told Barbarik that you are very mighty, you will not donate anything to me poor. When Barbarik asked for donation, Shri Krishna asked Barbarik for his head. Barbarik understood that this is not a Brahmin but someone else and asked to give the real introduction. When Shri Krishna gave his real introduction and told him who he really was, Barbarik happily accepted donating his head.

By performing prayers and worship throughout the night and taking bath on Phalgun Shukla Dwadashi, Barbarik donated his head to Shri Krishna with his own hand. Before donating the head, Barbarik had expressed his desire to see the war with Shri Krishna, so Shri Krishna installed Barbarik's severed head at a high place to watch the war. At the end of the war and victory of Pandavas Shri Krishna asked Barbarik's wish, with great satisfaction Barbarik replied that he just need Moksh (Salvation). Shri Krishna was pleased with his devotion and gave a boon to the severed head of Barbarik that, "In Kalyug you will be worshiped by my name Shyam, only by remembering you, the devotees will get welfare and religion, meaning, work, salvation will be attained". Shri Krishna also gave a boon saying that, "No one can change the fate of the person in whose fate I have written sorrow, but the fate of the devotee who has come under your spell will also change".

At present he is known as Khatu Shyam or Baba Shyam who is considered to be appeared from the Shyam Kund located in Khatu Dham after the visions. Shri Krishna is fulfilling the wishes of the devotees by being situated in the temple of Khatu Shyam ji since Samvat 1777 in the form of Virat Shaligram.

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