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Mallikarjun Jyotirlinga – Lord Shiva’s temple

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Ritu

The Jyotirlinga of Mallikarjun : Lord Shiva Temple at Srisailam

Mallikarjun at Srisailam is one among the twelve Jyotirlinga, situated at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh. Mallikarjuna is an ancient temple of Lord Shiva that is architecturally and sculpturally rich.

Srisailam Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna swamy temple

Story behind Mallikarjun Temple

Once, Shiva and Parvati decided to find suitable brides for their sons, Ganesha and Kartikeya. They argued as to who is to get wedded first. Lord Shiva said that the one who goes round the world in Pradakshinam could get married first. By the time Lord Kartikeya could go round the world on his vahana peacock, Lord Ganesha went round his parents 7 times. Lord Siva got Buddhi(intellect), Siddhi (spiritual power), and Riddhi (prosperity) married to Lord Ganesha. Lord Kartikeya on his return was enraged and went away to stay alone on Mount Krouncha in the name of Kumarabrahmachari.

Lord Shiva and Kartikeya

On seeing his father coming over to pacify him, he tried to move to another place, but on the request of the Devas, stayed close by. The place where Lord Shiva and Parvati stayed came to be known as Shrisailam. Lord Shiva visits Lord Kartikeya on Amavasya day & Parvati Devi on Poornima.

Another story

Once, a princess named Chandravati decided to go to the Jungles to do penance and meditation. She chose Kadali Vana for this purpose. One day, she witnessed a miracle. A Kapila cow was standing under a Bilwa tree and milk was flowing from all of its four udders, sinking into the ground. The cow kept doing this as a routine chore everyday. Chandravati dug up that area and was dumb founded at what she saw. There was a self-raising Swyambhu SivaLinga. It was bright and shining like the sun rays, and looked like it was burning, throwing flames in all directions. Chandravati prayed to Siva in this JyotirLinga. She built a huge Shiva Temple there. Lord Shankara was very pleased with her. Chandravati went to Kailash wind borne. She received salvation and Mukti. On one of the stone-inscriptions of the temple, Chandravati’s story can be seen carved out.

Mallikarjun as a Shakti peeth

Srisailam or Mallikarjun is one among the Maha shakti peeth. It is believed that Sati Devi’s upper lip has fallen here. It is a place where Shakti peetha and Jyotirlinga are together.

Visiting this JyotirLinga not only blesses one with innumerable wealth, but also name and fame and fulfils all the desires. Mahashivratri is the main festival celebrated at Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy temple.

Jyotirlinga : Somnath ( Temple of Lord Shiva )

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Ritu

Somnath : Foremost of the twelve Jyotirlinga

First among the twelve jyotirlinga, located at Prabhas Patan in Saurashtra – Gujrat. Somnath means, ‘The protector of Moon God’. Somnath temple was destroyed many times by Islamic kings and rulers and recently was rebuilt in November 1947, by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patael.

Somnath Mandir at Night

Legend :

According to Skanda Puran, Moon God (Chandra) was married to 27 (stars) of Daksha. Moon was more affectionate to his wife Rohini, and didn’t show any interest in rest of his wives. This arouse anger and feeling of insult among them. Dissappointed with the behaviour for their husband one they went to their father Daksha and complained his about Moon. Daksha was very sad to see his daughter’s suffering so he decided to convince Moon but all in vain. Out of anger he cursed Moon that he would be decreasing in size.

Somnath Temple

Devas were very sad at Chandra’s plight, and went to Brahama for help. Lord Brahma, the Creator advised them to pray to Lord Shiva. Chandra went for a penance for six months after which Lord Shiva appeared and granted him a boon.

Lord Shiva said, that in every month for 15 days he would grow in size and in another 15 days, he would be loosing 1 kala per day and decrease in size. That is why this place is also known as Somnath, Protector of Moon ( Moon is also known as Som). Lord Shiva is known as Someshwar. Devas have established a Someshwar kund and it is believed that taking a holy dip in kund, a person is relieved from all sins.

Chandra or Moon looks bright here hence, this place is also known as Prabhashpattana.

Chandra was first one to receive benefit so he built the temple in gold. Later, it was rebuilt by Ravana, in silver; then by Krishna in wood and by Bhimdev in stone.

Somnath temple was subjected to series of attacks, it was destroyed and rebuilt several times. In 725, an Arab governor of Sindh, Junayad, destroyed the temple, in 815 it was reconstructed in red sand stone. In 1024, Muslim invader, Ghazini again destroyed the temple and looted the treasure. Once again n 1292, temple was destroyed by Allaudin Khilji’s army.

Somnath_temple_in_1869

In 1701, temple was totally destroyed, plundered and looted in a horrible way, many people were killed and lots of money were stolen.

In 1783, the temple was rebuilt at a site adjacent to the ruined temple by Sadhvi Alalya Devi, Holar.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, renovated the temple on the advice of Kakasaheb Gadgil of Maharashtra. Jyotirlinga was reinstated on friday 1951 by Dr. Rajendra prasad(President).

Inspite of destruction, the faith of devotees was never destroyed, and Somnath revived its grandeur.

Lord Shiva as a servant of Poet Vidyapati in form of Ugna

Posted on October 25, 2014 by Ritu

Do you know that Lord Shiva once served Poet Vidyapati as a servant. Incredible, but true, Lord Shiva indeed decided to become the servant of a famous poet. Such is the power of Bhakti. Read on for the full story.

Ugna came to Vidyapati to serve

Poet Vidyapati was an ardent follower of Lord Shiva and seeing his bhakti for him, Lord Shiva got impressed with him. And Lord did the unthinkable and decided to come to live with the poet as a servant, with the name Ugna.

Poet was invited for a function

Ugna became a obedient and affectionate servant to the poet within a very short period. One day, the poet received an invitation to participate in a royal function of the king of Mithila. He took his loyal servant Ugna with him and they left for the king’s capital. On the way the poet became very thirsty but it was a huge barren land where he saw no drops of water.

Ugna was identified through the water of The Ganges

The poet became thirsty and asked Ugna to arrange for water. Ugna shown his inability as there was no water to be seen there. But Poet Vidyapati’s condition soon became worse. Lord Shiva in the guise of Ugna went to some place where he was not seen and took some water of the Ganges in a bowl and came back to Vidyapati. Drinking the water, the poet immediately recognised this as the holy water and demanded from Ugna that where did he find this water?

Initially, Ugna was not telling the truth, but on the insistence of Poet Vidyapati, he had to tell that he was none other than Lord Shiva. Knowing this, the poet became very sorry that Lord Shiva was serving him as a servant, but Lord pacified him that this was his wish to live with his bhakta and Vidyapati should not be sorry for the same.

Lord Shiva extracted a promise from Vidyapati

The poet wanted the lord to remain with him and he requested Lord Shiva to live with himself. Lord Shiva agreed to his request but he put a condition for the same. He asked him not to divulge the truth of Ugna to anyone. If he fails to do so, then Lord will get back to his place. Poet Vidyapati immediately agreed to this.

After this, Ugna remained with poet Vidyapati for several years and helped him to carry out few miracles as well. For example, he once defeated a poet of emperor Allauddin in his own language.

Vidyapati’s wife gets angry on Ugna

As all things does not remain the same, it was time for Ugna’s departure. Poet’s wife got frustrated with him one day and started beating him with a broom. Poet Vidyapati could not tolerate this as he knew the real identity of Ugna. Out of frustration, he asked her to stop and Lord Shiva immediately vanished. Poet realized his mistake, but it was too late.

Ugna leaves Poet Vidyapati

It is said that Poet Vidyapati then searched for Lord Shiva. He wandered through many temples, rivers and jungles in search of Ugna. Finally, Vidyapati found him in Nandanvana. Shiva told him that he would not go back to his house but would help him whenever required. The place where Ugna appeared before the poet as God is known as Ugnaasthan.

Kanwar festival or Shravan festival in India

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Ritu

Shravan festival in India

The month of Shrawan is a very holy month for hindu pilgrims. In this month, Lord Shiva is worshipped in Deoghar and people from all part of India throng at this place. They also undertook an arduous journey and offer water to Lord which they took from distant places and cover the distance on foot.

Kanwar Yatra is named after the Kanvar. Kanvar is a single pole with two roughly equal loads fastened or dangling from opposite ends. These loads are normally Ganges water which is offered to Lord Shiva after completion of Kanwar or Kanwad journey.

The month of Shravan is celebrated in worship to Lord Shiva and most devotees observe a fast on Mondays during this month. This festival is called Sharavn festival or Kanwar festival.

Kanwad festival

Ten days before Shiv-Teras thousands of Lord Shiva devotees gather in Haridwar to collect holy waters from the river Ganga to carry it back to their hometown and offer it at the local Shiv temple.

In north india, the Kanwarias take the water from Haridwar, Gangotri and other holy places. They take the water to their respective towns and offer the gangajaal to a local holy temple of Lord Shiva. This pilgrimage is done by covering the distance from Haridwar to their respective cities largely on foot. The devotees are mainly males, but females also celebrate this festival of Lord Shiva or Bhole Baba.

Kanwar festival – Devotees taking gangajaal from har ki pairi, haridwar

Smaller pilgrimages are also undertaken to places like Allahabad and Varanasi.

In Bihar, during this festival, the kanwarias take the holy water from Sultanganj. Sultanganj has a special significance since Ganga turns northward at Sultanganj. The water is carried from here to Deoghar, the nearest Shiv jyotirling. This is 105 km far from sultanganj. It takes four days for the devotees to reach Deoghar walking. The devotees generally walk by day and take shelter at dharamshalas during night, some adventurous ones continue their journey during night. Then there are Dak Kanwariyas, who cover the distance by running only in a day. They are supposed to travel the distance in one day only is quite arduous. After offering water in Deoghar, devotees travel to basukinath, which is another place of interest for pilgrims.

Dak Kanwariyas during Shravan or Kanwar festival

Shivlinga: The Symbol of Power and Energy

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Ritu

People worship Lord Shiva in the form of linga from ancient times. Lord Shiva is one of the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh and even considered to be supreme lord. Various Devas and Dashavataras worship him in Hindu mythology.

Snow Shivlinga

The Nirakaar Roop of Lord Shiva

The Lingam symbolizes both the creative and destructive power of Lord Shiva. Mahadev is the only God who has both form “Sakaar Roop” who we can see and pray and also “Nirakaar Roop” like Shivling.

Puranas and scriptures in Hinduism narrate in detail why people worship Lord Shiv in the form of Linga. The Shivlinga appears before Lord Brahma and Vishnu in the form of a ‘pillar of fire’, which had no end and beginning. It is one among the many symbols of Brahman. Lord Ram, Parashuram and Krishna gave importance to Shivlinga by worshipping him.

Importance of Shivlinga

When the mind is clear and is without prejudice, we will realize that the Linga form of Shiva is the most innocent form of Brahman that our ancestors had realized. It is pure and they got it from pure nature. Many of the forms that we worship today are the reflections of our mind, which ego, society and education corrupts. It is not pure.

As per the epic Mahabharata, ‘Know everything, which is male, to be Ishana, and all that is female to be Uma; for this whole world, animate and inanimate, is pervaded by these two bodies. Gods, seers, Gandharvas and Apsaras worship this form of Lord Shiva’ (Chapter 7, section 20, verse 22)

Shiv Purana definition of Shivlinga

The Shiva Purana describes the origin of the Lingam, known as Shivalinga. It is the one which has no beginning and no end. This is a cosmic pillar (Stambha) of fire, the cause of all causes.

Lord Shiva is emerges from the lingam. The Shivlinga is known as the cosmic pillar of fire. This proves his superiority over the gods Brahma and Vishnu. This is known as Lingodbhava. The Linga Purana also supports this interpretation of lingam as a cosmic pillar, symbolizing the infinite nature of Shiva.

According to the Linga Purana, the lingam is a complete symbolic representation of the formless Universe Bearer. The oval-shaped stone is the symbol of the Universe, and the bottom base represents the supreme Power that holds the entire universe in it.

Skanda Purana

“The endless sky (that great void which contains the entire universe) is the Linga, the Earth is its base. At the end of time the entire universe and all the Gods finally merge in the Linga itself.

108 names of Lord Shiva

Posted on February 8, 2014 by Ritu

Lord Shiva, one of the holy trinity of gods, is believed to play the role of the destroyer to this universe. He is father of Lord Kartikeya and Lord Ganesha and is married to Goddess Parvati. There are various names of lord Shiva with Mahadeva being the most famous. He is also called Neelkanth after he consumed poison during amrita manthan.

Here are 108 names of Lord Shiva with its meaning.

Aashutosh – One Who Fulfills Wishes Instantly.
Aja- Unborn.
Akshayaguna – God With Limitless Attributes
Anagha – Without Any Fault
Anantadrishti – Of Infinite Vision
Augadh – One Who Revels All The Time
Avyayaprabhu – Imperishable Lord
Bhairav – Lord Of Terror
Bhalanetra – One Who Has An Eye In The Forehead
Bholenath – Kind Hearted Lord
Bhooteshwara – Lord Of Ghosts And Evil Beings
Bhudeva – Lord Of The Earth
Bhutapala – Protector Of The Ghosts
Chandrapal – Master Of The Moon
Chandraprakash -One Who Has Moon As A Crest
Dayalu -Compassionate
Devadeva – Lord Of The Lords
Dhanadeepa – Lord Of Wealth
Dhyanadeep – Icon Of Meditation And Concentration
Dhyutidhara – Lord Of Brilliance
Digambara – Ascetic Without Any Clothes
Durjaneeya – Difficult To Be Known
Durjaya – Unvanquished
Gangadhara – Lord Of River Ganga
Girijapati – Consort Of Girija
Gunagrahin – Acceptor Of Gunas
Gurudeva – Master Of All
Hara – Remover Of Sins
Jagadisha – Master Of The Universe
Jaradhishamana -Redeemer From Afflictions
Jatin – One Who Has Matted Hair
Kailas -One Who Bestows Peace
Kailashadhipati -Lord Of Mount Kailash
Kailashnath – Master Of Mount Kailash
Kamalakshana – Lotus-Eyed Lord
Kantha – Ever-Radiant
Kapalin – One Wears A Necklace Of Skulls
Khatvangin – One Who Has The Missile Khatvangin In His Hand
Kundalin – One Who Wears Earrings
Lalataksha – One Who Has An Eye In The Forehead
Lingadhyaksha – Lord Of The Lingas
Lingaraja – Lord Of The Lingas
Lokankara – Creator Of The Three Worlds
Lokapal – One Who Takes Care Of The World
Mahabuddhi – Extremely Intelligent
Mahadeva – Greatest God
Mahakala – Lord Of All Times
Mahamaya – Of Great Illusions
Mahamrityunjaya – Great Victor Of Death
Mahanidhi – Great Storehouse
Mahashaktimaya – One Who Has Boundless Energies
Mahayogi – Greatest Of All Gods
Mahesha- Supreme Lord
Maheshwara – Lord Of Gods
Nagabhushana – One Who Has Serpents As Ornaments
Nataraja – King Of The Art Of Dancing
Nilakantha – Blue Necked Lord
Nityasundara – Ever Beautiful
Nrityapriya – Lover Of Dance
Omkara – Creator Of OM
Palanhaar – One Who Protects Everyone
Parameshwara – First Among All Gods
Paramjyoti – Greatest Splendour
Pashupati – Lord Of All Living Beings
Pinakin – One Who Has A Bow In His Hand
Pranava – Originator Of The Syllable Of OM
Priyabhakta – Favourite Of The Devotees
Priyadarshana – Of Loving Vision
Pushkara – One Who Gives Nourishment
Pushpalochana – One Who Has Eyes Like Flowers
Ravilochana – Having Sun As The Eye
Rudra – The Terrible
Rudraksha – One Who Has Eyes Like Rudra
Sadashiva – Eternal God
Sanatana – Eternal Lord
Sarvacharya – Preceptor Of All
Sarvashiva – Always Pure
Sarvatapana – Scorcher Of All
Sarvayoni – Source Of Everything
Sarveshwara – Lord Of All Gods
Shambhu – One Who Bestows Prosperity
Shankara – One Who Gives Happiness
Shiva – Always Pure
Shoolin – One Who Has A Trident
Shrikantha – Of Glorious Neck
Shrutiprakasha – Illuminator Of The Vedas
Shuddhavigraha – One Who Has A Pure Body
Skandaguru – Preceptor Of Skanda
Someshwara – Lord Of All Gods
Sukhada – Bestower Of Happiness
Suprita – Well Pleased
Suragana – Having Gods As Attendants
Sureshwara – Lord Of All Gods
Swayambhu – Self-Manifested
Tejaswani – One Who Spreads Illumination
Trilochana – Three-Eyed Lord
Trilokpati – Master Of All The Three Worlds
Tripurari – Enemy Of Tripura
Trishoolin – One Who Has A Trident In His Hands
Umapati – Consort Of Uma
Vachaspati – Lord Of Speech
Vajrahasta – One Who Has A Thunderbolt In His Hands
Varada – Granter Of Boons
Vedakarta – Originator Of The Vedas
Veerabhadra – Supreme Lord Of The Nether World
Vishalaksha – Wide-Eyed Lord
Vishveshwara – Lord Of The Universe
Vrishavahana – One Who Has Bull As His Vehicle

Har Har Mahadev.

The festival of Mahashivaratri

Posted on January 9, 2014 by Ritu

Mahashivaratri festival

Lord Shiva, the god of destruction from the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh is worshipped on this festival. This day falls in the month of falgun, fourteenth day of krishna paksha, as per the hindi calendar.

How puja is performed?

On this day,devotees visit the Shiva temples in their area. They bath in the morning and bring holy water such as gangajaal to bath the Shivalinga. Womens observe this festival for well being of their husband and children. Leaves of bel, Dhatura, Milk are deemed to be favourites of Lord Shiva and devotees bring them to offer to him. Unmarried girls pray and keep fast on this day for a husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the ideal husband. The temples are reverberated with words “Har Har Mahadev”. Devotees then take rounds of Shiva linga and then offer gangajal or milk. There is also the custom of staying awake all night on Shivaratri while chanting the name of Lord Shiva which relates to Neelkanth.

Legends of Mahashivaratri

A number of legends are associated with this festival. The most important is the legend of Neelkanth on consumption of poison.

Neelkanth – churning of ocean

During the churning of ocean, a pot of poison (halahal) came out of the ocean. This had the potential to destruct the whole universe. Lord Vishnu advised gods to request Lord Shiva to consume the poison.
To save the mankind, Lord Shiva drank the poison after requested by gods. Goddess Parvati pressed her neck to prevent the poison reaching to stomach. Thus, the poison remained in the neck and his neck became blue. Thus the name Neelkanth. In an effort to keep Lord Shiva awake at the night,gods danced and played music. As the day broke out, Lord Shiva, pleased with their devotion blessed them all. Mahashivaratri is the celebration of this event by which Shiva saved the world.

According to another legend, Mahashivaratri is the celebraton of wedding of Lord Shiva with Parvati.

Fair and melas

A number of melas are organized and celebrated in the indian subcontinent. In Nepal, Pashupati Nath temple celebrates Lord Shiva’s birthday with grandeur. At midnight, all the four doors of the main temple of pashupatinath are opened for whole night. Rudra mantra is enchanted and offerings are given to Lord Shiva. Nepal Army pay homage to Lord pashupatinath by volleys of gun fires at Tundikhel parade ground in Kathmandu.

In Mandi (‘Varanasi of the Hills‘), Himachal pradesh, the Shivaratri fair is celebrated for seven days. About 200 deities are assembled in this holy town. This festival has gained the importance of international festival.

Pachmarhi hosts Shivaratri mela every year. The religious festival celebrates the wedding of Lord Shiva with Parvati. This is done at Mahadev Temple, nearby Pachmarhi.

Interesting story of birth of Lord Ganesha and duel with Shiva

Posted on November 10, 2012 by Ritu

Birth of Lord Ganesha

The birth of Lord Ganesha birth can be regarded as interesting as any story could be. Ganesha was born unknown to Lord Shiva. Goddess Parvati needed someone to guard the chambers while she was taking bath. It happened in the past that Shiva devotee allowed him access when she did not want this to happen. So, She made a figure with turmeric paste and put life into it. Then she asked the boy, Ganesha not to allow anyone to enter the house. Ganesha followed his mother’s orders to the word and did not allow Shiva any access to the house.

Birth of Lord Ganesha depicted in Madhubani paintain

Note: Madhubani painting is popular folk art form.

Shiva got angry and asked his followers to attack the boy. But they were conquered. Shiva got surprised. Realizing that this was no ordinary boy, Shiva decided to fight himself, and in his divine fury cut Ganesha’s head, killing him quickly. When Parvati came to know of this, she was so angry that she decided to destroy the whole universe. But Lord Brahma pleaded that she reconsider her intent. She said she would if two conditions were met: One, that Ganesha be brought back to life, and two, that he be forever worshipped before all the other gods.

Brahma also suggested that he replace Ganesha’s head with the first living being that came his way with its head facing north. Shiva then sent his followers to bring the head of a creature they happened to find sleeping with its head facing north. They found a dying elephant which slept in this manner, and after its death took its head. Shiva attached the elephant’s head to Ganesha’s body and brought him back to life. Ganesha is worshipped by everyone before beginning any puja.

There are other stories which not as popular as the above:

Lord Ganesha and Shani

Another less popular story of lord Ganesha’s birth as written in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana. Eager to have a son, Parvati decided that she would keep a year-long fast to appease lord Vishnu. At the end of her fast lord Vishnu was duly appeased and gave her the boon of a son. In some stories, the son is a reincarnation of lord Krishna, another prominent Hindu deity.

On the joyous occasion of the birth of their son, whom they named Ganesha, Shiva and Parvati invited all the gods to their abode in Mount Kailash to look upon the baby. While all the gods bestowed the young lord Ganesha with gifts, there was one god who refused to look at the child.

This was the god Shani, son of the god Surya. The gaze of Shani is said to cast a bad omen on which it is directed. So Shani had a very good reason to not look at Ganesha. But Parvati insisted that Shani must look at the face of his ‘nephew’. Very reluctantly, Shani finally agreed and cast a quick look towards the young lord Ganesha. Almost immediately the child’s head fell off, in some stories it turns to ashes.

Parvati was devastated and it was lord Vishnu who came to her rescue. In one quick movement, he had mounted his vahana and had gone to fetch a replacement head. Returning with the head of a young elephant he had found of the banks of a river, lord Vishnu placed the head on the lifeless torso of the boy. The boy was brought back to life to the joy and utmost relief of both Shiva and Parvati. And so the naughty, fun loving god Ganesha was born.

Sage Kashyap’s curse

Yet another story mentions a completely different reason for the birth and subsequent replacement of Lord Ganesha’s head with that of a young elephant. But in this case the story starts a little differently. Aditya was one of the sons of the great sage Kashyapa, one of the seven great Rishi or sages. According to the story, Shiva, in a mistake, slew Aditya by cutting off his head. Kashyapa cursed the great lord Shiva that the same fate would befall the first born son of Shiva and when that happened, the child’s head would be replaced by the head of Indra’s elephant. And so, Ganesha, the elephant headed god was born.

In another twist to the same tale, when Shiva cut off the head of Aditya, He replaced it with Indra’s elephant’s head and brought him back to life. Kashyapa was very incensed by Shiva’s act and he put a curse on Shiva. According to the curse, the first born child of lord Shiva would be born with an elephant head. In the case of this particular story, Ganesha was already born with an elephant head unlike other stories where he acquires his elephant head later.

The story of Shiva curse to Brahma

Posted on November 2, 2012 by Ritu

There are very few temples in world dedicated to Lord Brahma. There are myths that explain the reason behind this. They usually vary but it is generally seen that a god or goddess got angry with Brahma which resulted in curse to Brahma. Shiva’s devotees believe in such specific myth. Following is the story.

Long time ago, the two gods of the Hindu triad — Brahma and Vishnu — began an argument on who the most powerful of the triad was. This argument became so heated that these gods asked Shiva, the third of the triad, to intervene.

Shiva assumed the form of a gigantic lingam (the phallic symbol of Shiva that depicts him as a creator). The lingam was of flaming fire and it went up to the heavens and descended into the nether regions underneath the earth. Both Brahma and Vishnu determined that if they could find how enormous the fiery lingam was, they could establish who among the triad was the most powerful. Brahma took the form of a swan and went upwards along the length of the ascending lingam while Vishnu assumed the form of a boar and descended along the lingam into the nether regions.

The curse of Brahma by Shiva- in quest of supremacy

Both went on searching but neither could reach the end. Vishnu, being wise, realized that he had been outdone by Shiva and came back to acknowledge Shiva as the greatest of the triad. Although, Brahma decided that he could get past Shiva with trickery. On his ascent to determine the end of the upper part of the lingam, Brahma had passed the ketaki flower (Pandanus odorifer). Brahma requested ketaki, who was used to inhabit the upper end regions of the lingam, to testify before Shiva that he, Brahma, had reached the uppermost end. Ketaki agreed and, when brought before Shiva, the flower told Shiva that he had observed Brahma reach the upper end of the lingam.

Shiva was angered at this lie. He cursed Brahma that he will not be worshipped on earth while he also cursed the flower with the depressing eternal condition of never ever being used in any Hindu worshipping rituals.

The story of Baidyanath Jyotirlinga at Deoghar

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Ritu

Baidyanath Jyotirlinga and Deoghar

The ninth incarnation of Shiva was as Baidyanath at Deoghar in Bihar. This Jyotirlinga was established by the demon King Ravana. A devotee who worships this Jyotirlinga gets all of his wishes fulfilled. Because of this, it ia also known as Kamanalinga. Devotees carry the holy water of the Ganges from Sultanganj and for the idol of Baidyanath in the months of Shravana and Bhadrapaksha according to the Hindu calendar.

How Baidyanath sateyd at Deoghar

Once, Ravana did a tremendous penance to please lord Shiva and to get a boon from him. Even after his severe penance when lord Shiva did still not appear, he started offering his heads one by one to lord Shiva. This way he already severed his nine heads and offered them to Shiva. When he was about to severe his last remaining head, just the lord Shiva appeared before him. He blessed Ravana with unparalleled power and strength. Lord Shiva also made him a ten headed demon once again.
But Ravana was not satisfied. He requested lord Shiva to come along with him to Lanka. Lord Shiva gave Ravana s Shivalinga and warned him against keeping it on the earth, as then no power on the earth could lift that Shivalinga from there.

Baidyanath Jyotirlinga and Ravana

Ravana proceeded with the Shivalinga. On the way he felt the urge to urinate. Ravana gave that Shivalinga to a cowherd boy and went to urinate. The cowherd boy held the Shivalinga for sometime. He felt that the Shivalinga was becoming heavier and heavier. He could not bear the weight of the Shivalinga for too long. He kept it on the ground. When Ravana returned he became very sad after seeing the Shivalinga on the ground. He knew that, now it was impossible to lift it from that place. Ravana established the Shivalinga there, which became famous as ‘Baidyanath jyotirlinga’.

This Jyotirling (Shiv’s idol) here is in the form of a Vaidya (doctor). He is supposed to relieve the devotees of their dreadful diseases. According to the Shakt following, the place where the heart of Bhagwati Sati had fallen is considered as the Mahashakti peeth.

The Jyotirlinga of Mallikarjun : Lord Shiva Temple at Srisailam

Story behind Mallikarjun Temple

Another story

Mallikarjun as a Shakti peeth

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Somnath : Foremost of the twelve Jyotirlinga

Legend :

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Ugna came to Vidyapati to serve

Poet was invited for a function

Ugna was identified through the water of The Ganges

Lord Shiva extracted a promise from Vidyapati

Vidyapati’s wife gets angry on Ugna

Ugna leaves Poet Vidyapati

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Shravan festival in India

Kanwad festival

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Snow Shivlinga

The Nirakaar Roop of Lord Shiva

Importance of Shivlinga

Shiv Purana definition of Shivlinga

Skanda Purana

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Mahashivaratri festival

How puja is performed?

Legends of Mahashivaratri

Neelkanth – churning of ocean

Fair and melas

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Birth of Lord Ganesha

Lord Ganesha and Shani

Sage Kashyap’s curse

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Baidyanath Jyotirlinga and Deoghar

How Baidyanath sateyd at Deoghar

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