The temple of Jagannath at Puri is one of the four most important temples across India. Sometimes called the Char Dham – Badrinath in the north, Rameswaram in the South, Dwarka in the west, and Puri in the east – these temples mark four corners of our country, and each of these temples has a connection to Adi Shankara. He is said to have travelled to each of them, thus marking a sacred geography of India, long before the country actually existed. Among these 4 temples, 3 are dedicated to Lord Vishnu, while only Rameswaram is dedicated to Lord Shiva, though the lingam there is said to have been installed by Rama. Further, Shankara set up Mutts at 3 of these sites (or very close to these sites, like at Badrinath, where the mutt is at Joshimutt), while the mutt in the south is at Sringeri in Karnataka, quite a distance away from Rameswaram. Coming back to the topic, I have visited Rameswaram most often, Badrinath during my childhood, and Dwaraka a few times, but Puri had stayed out of re...
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...
"Listen you. This is the marker. Right side your place, left side my place. In case of dire consequences next time, don't tell me I didn't warn you."...:-)
ReplyDeleteWonderful, Atula!!! thats really quite probable, considering where and how they are standing!!!
Delete:)
ReplyDeleteWhoever moves first makes the dinner!
grt thought, Indrani!!! a battle of wills to decide who gets to do the chores?
DeleteAwesome click!
ReplyDeletewww.rajniranjandas.blogspot.in
Thats what I would think too, if only they opened their mouths.. or rather, beaks! but they just stood still... as they were, not a squeak out of them!
ReplyDeleteShe came
ReplyDeletepensively
and confused
to meet her aunt,
who just stood
with her lips pursed
in great disapproval.
The beauty parlour trip
gone wrong,
a mess of colors
in the hair,
trickling on to the body,
and she wailed'
"All my efforts
coming to naught -
what will I do now
at the
L'oreal Miss Hen International ?"
"Hmm"
said the elderly aunt,
"Its the influence
of that Rooster
you met on FB ....."
That was fantastic, Suranga!!!!Thanks so much for these wonderful lines.. been laughing and laughing!
DeleteActually, you said "Statue" and they just stood where they were ! :-P
ReplyDeleteprobably they were already playing 'statue' when I found them?
Delete