The first time I visited Pandharpur was back in 2007 . The names Vitthal and Pandharpur, were just names to me. I had heard of them, but that was about it. Seeing the lord standing on the brick, hands on his hips, was memorable, but more memorable was the sight that greeted us as we walked out of the main sanctum of the temple. In the mandap just outside were a group of devotees singing abhangs , and dancing. This was the first time I had heard abhangs , and even almost 15 years later, I can remember the welling of feeling within me, listening to the songs, and how fascinated I was by the sight of the devotees dancing, lost in their love of the Lord. Over the years, as I have read more about Vitthal, and participated in Ashadi Ekadashi programmes at Puttaparthi, that first experience has stayed clear in my mind and heart. Every time I tell my Balvikas students of the saints who sang of Vitthala, it is that experience that I re-live. I visited Pandharpur again, in 2010, but that experie
We continued our Gokarna trip by visiting four other Shiva temples in the vicinity, all connected to the same story of Gokarna. The story of Gokarna mentions the Mahabaleshwara Lingam as the one brought from Kailas by Ravana, and kept at this place on the ground by Ganesha. (See my earlier post- Gokarna – Pilgrimage and Pleasure). However, the story does not end here. It is believed that, in his anger, Ravana flung aside the materials which covered the lingam- the casket, its lid, the string around the lingam, and the cloth covering it. All these items became lingams as soon as they touched the ground. These four lingams, along with the main Mahabaleshwara lingam are collectively called the ‘ Panchalingams’ . These are: Mahabaleshwara – the main lingam Sajjeshwar – the casket carrying the lingam. This temple is about 35 Kms from Karwar, and is a 2 hour drive from Gokarna. Dhareshwar – the string covering the lingam. This temple is on NH17, about 45 Kms south of Gokarna. Gunavanteshw
Season's Greetings and Happy New Year
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family Anu.
ReplyDeleteFantastic decorations. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Anu.
ReplyDeletePretty decoration of the Christmas Tree. Merry Christmas to you and your family Anu:)
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a full grown fir! Lovely decorations and no guesses for what the gifts are :D
ReplyDeleteWish you too a very happy new year Anu..!
ReplyDeleteNicely done xmas tree. Happy 2012 to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
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Wishing you, your hubby and Samhit a very very happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pradeepa! Wish you a very happy new year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Zephyr! guess I am predictable that way :)
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, Sridharan!!! wish you a great year ahead!
ReplyDeleteThanks Chitra! wish you too a great year ahead!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rajesh! wish you a great travel filled year ahead!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, PNS!! Wish you and your family too a great year ahead!!
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