Ayyappa

Hare Krishna

Ayyappa, also known as Manikandan or Mani, is a revered tale in Hindu mythology. It is believed to be a combination of various legends from different sources. Ayyappa is largely worshipped in South India. 

Here the story starts...

Goddess Durga Killed the Demon Mahishasur, he had a sister called Mahishi. Mahishi had a boon from Lord Brahma that she can be killed only by the child that is born to Shiva and Vishnu. So Vishnu incarnated himself in Mohini Avatar and with the union of Mohini and Shiva, Ayyappa was born. They left the child at Pamba river, the King of the dynasty Rajashekara who didn't had a child adopted Ayyappa and named him Manikandan.

 Later the couple were blessed with a boy named Raja Rajan. Both boy grew up as prince, but Ayyappa excelled himself in martial arts and had great knowledge in Shastras. Upon Completion of their training King wanted Ayyappa to become his successor, but the Queen wanted her child that is prince Raja Rajan to become the next King.

 The Queen started creating troubles for Ayyappa. The Queen pretended to be sick with mysterious health issues and asked Mani to go to the forest and bring lactating Tigeress milk, that is the cure of her illness. On the way to the forest Ayyappa realised the purpose of his incarnation was to kill Mahishi. In the forest  Ayyappa and Mahishi had a fierce battle and the demoness was killed by Ayyappa and recieved moksha.

Ayyappa came back from the forest sitting on the Tigeress. The King and Queen realised that Ayyappa was not an ordinary child and offered him the throne but Ayyappa refused saying that his birth on earth had different purpose he has to live as Brahmachari. King Wished to construct a temple for and asked to chose a place, Ayyappa shot an arrow saying that he would be in meditation on the place where arrow falls. The place where the arrow fell is called Shabrimala. It was already a holy place where Shabri the great devotee of Rama lived, she wanted to meet Rama once in her life. Rama met her at the same place and accepted her hospitality. 

Manikandan said that he will be called as Ayyappan by his devotees and his devotees have to attain 41 days Brahmacharya Vratham. It is believed that the temple was built under the direct supervision of Lord Parshuram by the great architect, Vishwakarma. Upon the advise of Sage Agastya the king laid foundation stone of the temple. The temple has 18 golden steps indicating 18 hills surrounding the temple.

It is essential to note that the legend of Lord Ayyappa may have regional variations and is often passed down through oral traditions, making it a cherished tale for millions of devotees who revere and worship Lord Ayyappa as a unifying symbol of divinity and love.

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Sapta Chiranjivi

 Hare Krishna

   

"Sapta Chiranjivi," which in Hindu mythology are believed to be seven immortal beings or sages. These Chiranjivi are said to still be alive and are often associated with different legends and stories. Here is a list of the seven Sapta Chiranjivi along with brief descriptions:

1. Ashwatthama: 

He was a great warrior and a key character in the Indian epic, the Mahabharata. He was the son of Dronacharya, the royal teacher of the Kuru princes. Ashwatthama possessed a gem on his forehead that granted him immortality and protection. However, he also carried a curse that made him suffer and roam the Earth forever.     

2. King Mahabali: 

Also known as Bali, he was a generous and righteous king who was blessed with immense power and ruled over the netherworld. Lord Vishnu took the Vamana avatar to subdue Bali and sent him to rule the netherworld, where he is said to continue his benevolent rule.

3. Vedavyasa: 

Vedavyasa, also known as Vyasa, is a legendary sage who is credited with composing the Mahabharata, one of the longest epic poems in the world, as well as other Hindu scriptures. He is also considered one of the seven immortals. 

4. Hanuman: 

Hanuman is a prominent figure in Hindu mythology and is known for his unwavering devotion to Lord Rama. He played a crucial role in the Ramayana, aiding Rama in his quest to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana.

5. Kripacharya: 

Kripacharya was a respected teacher and warrior who played a significant role in the Mahabharata. He was the teacher of the Kaurava and Pandava princes and was known for his wisdom and martial skill.

6. Parashurama:

 Parashurama is the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. He was a warrior with an axe (parashu) and is known for his devotion to his father and his legendary confrontations with Kshatriya warriors.

7. Vibhishana:

Vibhishana is a character from the Ramayana, the younger brother of the demon king Ravana. He chose to side with Lord Rama during the battle against Ravana due to his righteousness and devotion to dharma.

These seven figures are believed to be immortal and continue to exist in various forms, according to Hindu mythology. Each of them has their own unique stories and significance in Hindu culture and philosophy.

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Vrajwani Dham

 Hare Krishna 

Do you know that Krishna took avatar in Kaliyug too???

Yes, that's True...

There is a village name Vrajwani located on the banks of a large desert in Rapar taluka of Kutch  (Gujarat, India). Today there is a grand temple here. If you go inside the temple, you will see a completely different view from all other pilgrimage sites. Different because here you will find 140 statues of women in a circle! Outside, there is another large area in the courtyard. These 140 women are Ahirani of Kutch.

It is said that Krishna had promised his Gopi's he will visit them and give his darshan. So around 600 years ago, In Vrajwani Dham of Kutch, Krishna took avatar in the form of Dholi (the person who plays drum) and he started playing drum. The music from the drum was so magical that 140 woman that is Ahirani of that village came together and started doing Rass (form of dance). Almost 3 days continuously the dholi played the drum and the 140 Ahirani didn't stopped. Seeing this one of the youngster of that village went to meet the dholi but till that time Krishna disappeared and the women who were dancing on the beats of drum stopped.

The 140 Ahirani of that village prayed to Krishna that, "There is no fascination left in this world and requested him to take them to his abode". After saying this 140 Ahirani left their soul together and went to the abode of Krishna. There are still 140 pillars of Ahirani at the same place from where they left and there is also a pillar from where Krishna disappeared. It is said that by listening to that pillar carefully, you can still hear the sound of that drum.

Even today many people come to Vrajwani Dham and bow their heads in front of Ahirani's Palanquins.

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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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Curse of Vedavati to Ravana

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Vedavati was a virtuous and devout woman born to Brahmarishi Kushadhvaja, who was the son of Brihaspati, the guru of devas. Vedavati was the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. She was devotee of Lord Vishnu and wanted him as her Husband. In an act of penance and dedication, Vedavati decided to perform severe austerities (tapasya). During her meditation, she endured immense hardships and stood in the middle of five sacred fires, absorbing their heat. 

Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, happened to pass by and saw Vedavati in her penance. He was struck by her beauty and wanted to possess her, but Vedavati rejected his advances, stating that she had reserved her heart for Narayana alone. Ravana, known for his arrogance and lust, became infuriated and tried to force himself upon her. In response, Vedavati cursed Ravana that he would be destroyed by a woman in the future.

Vedavati then invoked the Agni (the fire god) to consume her body, and before being engulfed by the flames, she declared that she would return to the mortal world and be the reason that will bring an end to Ravana's life.

True to her words, Vedavati was born as the daughter of Ravana. Soon the baby was born, a voice from the sky warned that the baby will be responsible for ravana's death. As to save his life, he threw the baby into the sea. The baby fell on the lap of Sea Goddess Varuni, she took the baby to the shores and handed her to Goddess of Earth, Prithvi Devi. Later Prithvi Devi handed the Child to King Janaka. 

Sita eventually married Lord Rama, and as the story goes, Ravana's infatuation with Sita and his abduction of her led to his ultimate downfall. Lord Rama, along with the help of Hanuman and his army of monkeys, waged a war against Ravana and defeated him, fulfilling the curse of Vedavati.

This event is considered one of the pivotal moments in the Ramayana and symbolizes the consequences of arrogance, lust, and mistreatment of women. It also highlights the power of a devoted and virtuous woman's curse, which played a significant role in shaping the events of the epic.

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Krishna and his 16108 Wives

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Krishna, the 9th Avatar of Vishnu; In Hindu mythology, is believed to have had multiple wives and consorts. One of the most well-known stories associated with Krishna is his marriage to 16,108 women.

According to Hindu scriptures, Krishna's story is described in the ancient epic, the Mahabharata, specifically in the section known as the "Harivamsa." The narrative goes that Krishna rescued 16,100 women who had been captured and held captive by the demon Narakasura. Narakasur was a demon who kidnapped 16100 girls; Krishna defeated Narakasura and released the captive women, The girls were afraid of not being accepted by the society they expressed their desire to marry him as a token of gratitude and to protect their honor. Krishna accepted their proposal and married all 16,100 women.

 Krishna already had eight principal consorts called the Ashtabharya, which included Rukmini, Satyabhama, Jambavati, Nagnajiti, Kalindi, Mitravinda, Bhadra, and Lakshmana. These eight queens are considered the primary consorts of Krishna, and their stories are described in various Hindu texts.

It is important to note that the concept of polygamy was more prevalent in ancient times, and the practice varied across different cultures and religions. In the case of Krishna, his marriages are often understood in the context of his divine nature and his role as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who is considered the supreme deity in Hinduism.

The story of Krishna's multiple marriages serves various symbolic purposes in Hindu mythology and conveys spiritual teachings. It is seen as an allegory highlighting the relationship between the divine and the individual soul. The multitude of wives represents the numerous aspects of the human soul seeking union with the divine, with Krishna being the embodiment of that divine love.

It's important to approach these mythological narratives with an understanding of their cultural and religious significance rather than applying modern social norms and values to them.

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