Page 4 SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2016 INTERNET EDITION : … · 2016. 3. 6. · Sukrala Mata Temple at...
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Sandeep Singh Lord Shiva has cast his spell on people in this country from times immemorial. Representations of the Lord Shiva have been traced on the carved seals unearthed at Mohenjo-Daro, thus making him one of our oldest gods in the Indian civilization. Jammu can boast of a number of Lord Shiva cave shrines and one such natural cave is situated in idyllic sur- roundings at Jakhole panchayat of Kathua District. To reach it we have to break off from the National Highway (Jammu–Pathankot) at Rajbagh (Ujh). A further twelve Km drive ahead to the north eastern side crossing Jasro- ta, Dhanni and Bakhta villages, one reaches village Jak- hole and after that 5 km on foot on a path having panoram- ic view of its surroundings one can reach the 150 years old famous natural Shiva cave which is famously known as Mahanal. It is about fifty minute’s journey from Lakhan- pur and thirty five minutes journey from Rajbagh to vil- lage Jakhole. Shiva is associated with truth (satyam), goodness (shiv- am) and beauty (sundaram) and has his mystical abode in a cave at Mahanal. The most distinctive feature about this abode is that it does not contain a man-made image. On the contrary, the sacred image in this cave is svayambhu Shiva lingam. So great is the attachment of the devotees to this natural cave that this sacred place is called as Chot- ta Amarnath (Mini Amarnath) by sages and people alike. The natural cave of Shiva at Mahanal is rich in legendary lore. According to one such legend approximately 150 years back, milk used to ooze from rocks and fall on the natural Shiva lingam which was noticed by the villagers. They started worshipping the place since then. But one day a woman of nomadic community collected milk from this pious place and used it for its own benefit. Since then milk stopped oozing from the roof of the cave and water start- ed dripping over the lord Shiva‘s sanctum sanctorum. According to another legend, a sage meditated there for many years. He had prohibited locals from visiting the place as he wished to meditate in glory of Lord Shiva at a secluded place. However, after many years, a curious lady of the area went there only to find a human skelton in med- itation posture chanting loudly “Om Namah Shivaye”. The lady got scared and fainted on noticing a skeleton medi- tating. After sometime, she regained consciousness only to find that, the skeleton had turned into a human being chanting Om Namah Shivaye, which after sometime dis- appeared and then changed into a Natural Shiva Lingam inside the cave- nearer to the meditation site. Not to be beaten in their love for the Immortal God (Amarnath) the locals have named it Chotta Amarnath (Mini Amarnath), due to its resemblance to the famous shrine of the same name in Kashmir. At Mahanal there is a big cave and inside the cave a nat- ural lingam exists which as per legends dates back to cen- turies. The cave opening is narrow and only one person can enter the cave at a time to reach the sanctum sancto- rum and have darshans of Lord Shiva. The idols of Ganesh, Nandigan and Kaal -Bhairav at the entrance of Mahanal cave adds to the piousness of the area. Another small cave lies on other side of the main cave where the devotees have now constructed small temples dedicated to nine goddess- es. A seasonal waterfall lies in between both the caves where devotees can be seen bathing before offering prayers. However in summers, the waterfall dries up and devotees use water from the resultant water-body (Bowli) that exists near the shrine. In 1980, an ascetic by the name of Baba Hari Giri Ji made this place his abode and started meditating here and large number of locals started visiting him. The place start- ed catching attention during his time. He stayed there for ten years and in 1991 he attained Samaadhi. The devotees from within and other states of the coun- try throng this place throughout the year. However, heavy rush is seen on Ist day of the year, Mondays, Mahashivra- tri, Naagpanchmi and in the holy month of Shravan which coincides with the annual pilgrimage of Shree AmarNathji. Local residents and other devotees organize langars (com- munity kitchens) there every year. Devotees consider it as a very sacred Place of Lord Shiva and where wishes of Pil- grims are fulfilled whoever offers prayers at the shrine. Road Connectivity, Drinking Water facility and Elec- tricity supply are required to be improved. Efforts need to be made to bring this holy cave on the religious tourist map of the state similar to Jasrota Mata Temple at Jasrota, Sukrala Mata Temple at Billawar, Mata Bala Sundri at Nagri and Jorian Mata Temple at Bani, so that the inher- ent pilgrim potential of the place is explored and utilized to the maximum possible extent. Inside view of the cave. Aerial view of the cave. Romesh Mengi Maha Shivratri, which literally translates to “great night of Shiva” is a Hindu festival largely celebrated in all states of India. The festival is celebrated on the new moon day in the month of Maagha according to the Hindu calendar. The day is celebrated to venerate Lord Shiva, an important deity in Hindu culture. People often fast on the night of Shivratri and sing hymns and praises in the name of Lord Shiva. Shiva tem- ples across the country are decorated with lights and col- orful decorations and people can be seen offering night long prayers to Shiva Lingam. Woodapple leaves, cold water and milk are offered to the Shiva Lingam on this day as they are believed to be Lord Shiva’s favorite. It is believed that the people who fast on this night and offer prayers to Lord Shiva bring good luck into their life. The most popular Maha Shivratri celebrations take place in Ujjain, believed to be the place of residence of Lord Shiva. Large processions are carried out throughout the city, with people thronging the streets to catch a glimpse of the revered idol of Lord Shiva. There are many mythological legends associated with this day. According to a popular legend, when a hunter could not find anything to kill for his food in a forest, he waited on the branch of a Woodapple tree. In order to attract deer, he started throwing the leaves of the tree on the ground, unaware that there was a Shiva Lingam beneath the tree. Pleased with the Woodapple leaves and the patience of the hunter, it is believed that Lord Shiva appeared in front of the hunter and blessed him with wis- dom. From that day onwards, the hunter stopped eating meat. According to the Puranas, during the great mythical churning of the ocean called Samudra Manthan, a pot of poison emerged from the ocean. The gods and the demons were terrified as it could destroy the entire world. When they ran to Shiva for help, he in order to protect the world, drank the deadly poison but held it in his throat instead of swallowing it. This turned his throat blue, and since then he came to be known as ‘Nilkantha’, the blue-throated one. It is also believed that Hindu devotees stay awake whole night to give company to God Shiva, who was not supposed to fall asleep after drinking the ocean poison (Kalakootam). Some folklore also consider this to be Shiva’s day as this was believed to be the answer given by Lord Shiva when asked about his favorite day by Goddess Parvati. Devotees believe that Lord Shiva married Devi Parvati on Shivratri. Thus, the day is the union of Shiva and Shakti, the two greatest forces of the Universe. THE STORY OF KING CHITRABHANU Once upon a time King Chitrabhanu of the Ikshvaku dynasty, who ruled over the whole of Jambudvipa , was observing a fast with his wife, it being the day of Maha Shivaratri. The sage Ashtavakra came on a visit to the court of the king. The sage asked the king the purpose of his observing the fast. King Chitrabhanu explained that he had a gift of remembering the incidents of his past birth, and in his previous life he had been a hunter in Varanasi and his name was Suswara. His only livelihood was to kill and sell birds and animals. The day before the new moon, while roaming through forests in search of animals, he saw a deer, but before his arrow flew he noticed the deer’s family and their sadness at its impend- ing death. So he let it live. He had still not caught any- thing when night fell, so he climbed a tree for shelter. It happened to be a Bael tree. His canteen leaked water, so he was both hungry and thirsty. These two torments kept him awake throughout the night, thinking of his poor wife and children who were starving and anxiously awaiting his return. To pass the time, he engaged himself in plucking the Bael leaves and dropping them down onto the ground. The next day he returned home and bought some food for himself and his family. The moment he was about to break his fast a stranger came to him, begging for food. He served the food first to stranger and only ate afterward. At the time of his death, he saw two messengers of Lord Shiva, sent to conduct his soul to the abode of Shiva. He learnt then for the first time of the great merit he had earned by unconscious worship of Shiva during the night of Maha Shivaratri. The messengers told him that there had been a Lingam (a symbol for the worship of Shiva) at the bot- tom of the tree. The leaves he dropped from the Bael tree had fallen into the shape of a Lingam, in imitation of Shiva’s ritual worship. The water from his leaky canteen had washed the Lingam (also a ritual action), and he had fasted all day and all night. Thus, he unconsciously had worshiped Lord Shiva. At the conclusion of the tale the King said that he had lived in the abode of the Shiva and enjoyed divine bliss for a long time before being reborn as Chitrabhanu. This story is narrated in the Garuda Purana. ‘Shivaratri’ means ‘night of Shiva’. The impor- tant components of this religious festival are rigid fasting for twenty four hours and sleepless vigil during the night. Every true devotee of Lord Shiva spends the night of Shivaratri in deep meditation, keeping vigil and observ- ing the fast. The worship of Lord Shiva consists in offering flowers, Bilva leaves and other gifts on the Lingam, which is a symbol of Lord Shiva, and bathing it with milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar, coconut water, butter, and rose- water. The day is considered auspicious for women. They fast and pray to the Lord to get blessed with blissful married life, while unmarried woman would pray for an ideal hus- band like Shiva. All through the day the devotees keep severe fast, chant the sacred Panchakshara mantra “Om Namah Shivaya”, make offerings of flowers and incense to the Lord amidst ringing of temple bells. They maintain long vigils during the night, keeping awake to listen to stories, hymns and songs. The fast is broken only the next morn- ing, after the nightlong worship. In Kashmir, the festival is held for 15 days. The 13th day is observed as a day of fast followed by a family feast. Maha Shivratri a unique time to burn your bad Karmas with the blessings of Mahadev Shiva. SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2016 INTERNET EDITION : www.dailyexcelsior.com/magazine "Great honour to be ......Page 4 The ‘God-man’ of .....Page 3 CELEBRATING NIGHT OF SHIVA The mystical abode of Lord Shiva At Mahanal there is a big cave and inside the cave a natural lingam exists which as per legends dates back to centuries. The cave opening is narrow and only one person can enter the cave at a time to reach the sanctum sanctorum and have darshans of Lord Shiva.
Transcript of Page 4 SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2016 INTERNET EDITION : … · 2016. 3. 6. · Sukrala Mata Temple at...
Sandeep Singh
Lord Shiva has cast his spell on peoplein this country from times immemorial.Representations of the Lord Shiva havebeen traced on the carved seals unearthedat Mohenjo-DDaro, thus making him one ofour oldest gods in the Indian civilization.
Jammu can boast of a number of Lord Shiva caveshrines and one such natural cave is situated in idyllic sur-roundings at Jakhole panchayat of Kathua District. Toreach it we have to break off from the National Highway(Jammu–Pathankot) at Rajbagh (Ujh). A further twelveKm drive ahead to the north eastern side crossing Jasro-ta, Dhanni and Bakhta villages, one reaches village Jak-hole and after that 5 km on foot on a path having panoram-ic view of its surroundings one can reach the 150 years oldfamous natural Shiva cave which is famously known asMahanal. It is about fifty minute’s journey from Lakhan-pur and thirty five minutes journey from Rajbagh to vil-lage Jakhole.
Shiva is associated with truth (satyam), goodness (shiv-am) and beauty (sundaram) and has his mystical abode ina cave at Mahanal. The most distinctive feature about thisabode is that it does not contain a man-made image. Onthe contrary, the sacred image in this cave is svayambhuShiva lingam. So great is the attachment of the devoteesto this natural cave that this sacred place is called as Chot-ta Amarnath (Mini Amarnath) by sages and people alike.
The natural cave of Shiva at Mahanal is rich in legendarylore. According to one such legend approximately 150years back, milk used to ooze from rocks and fall on thenatural Shiva lingam which was noticed by the villagers.They started worshipping the place since then. But one daya woman of nomadic community collected milk from thispious place and used it for its own benefit. Since then milkstopped oozing from the roof of the cave and water start-ed dripping over the lord Shiva‘s sanctum sanctorum.
According to another legend, a sage meditated there formany years. He had prohibited locals from visiting theplace as he wished to meditate in glory of Lord Shiva at asecluded place. However, after many years, a curious ladyof the area went there only to find a human skelton in med-itation posture chanting loudly “Om Namah Shivaye”. Thelady got scared and fainted on noticing a skeleton medi-tating. After sometime, she regained consciousness onlyto find that, the skeleton had turned into a human beingchanting Om Namah Shivaye, which after sometime dis-
appeared and then changed into a Natural Shiva Lingaminside the cave- nearer to the meditation site. Not to bebeaten in their love for the Immortal God (Amarnath) thelocals have named it Chotta Amarnath (Mini Amarnath),due to its resemblance to the famous shrine of the samename in Kashmir.
At Mahanal there is a big cave and inside the cave a nat-ural lingam exists which as per legends dates back to cen-turies. The cave opening is narrow and only one personcan enter the cave at a time to reach the sanctum sancto-rum and have darshans of Lord Shiva. The idols of Ganesh,Nandigan and Kaal -Bhairav at the entrance of Mahanalcave adds to the piousness of the area. Another small cavelies on other side of the main cave where the devotees have
now constructed small temples dedicated to nine goddess-es. A seasonal waterfall lies in between both the caveswhere devotees can be seen bathing before offeringprayers. However in summers, the waterfall dries up anddevotees use water from the resultant water-body (Bowli)that exists near the shrine.
In 1980, an ascetic by the name of Baba Hari Giri Jimade this place his abode and started meditating here andlarge number of locals started visiting him. The place start-ed catching attention during his time. He stayed there forten years and in 1991 he attained Samaadhi.
The devotees from within and other states of the coun-try throng this place throughout the year. However, heavyrush is seen on Ist day of the year, Mondays, Mahashivra-
tri, Naagpanchmi and in the holy month of Shravan whichcoincides with the annual pilgrimage of Shree AmarNathji.Local residents and other devotees organize langars (com-munity kitchens) there every year. Devotees consider it asa very sacred Place of Lord Shiva and where wishes of Pil-grims are fulfilled whoever offers prayers at the shrine.
Road Connectivity, Drinking Water facility and Elec-tricity supply are required to be improved. Efforts need tobe made to bring this holy cave on the religious tourist mapof the state similar to Jasrota Mata Temple at Jasrota,Sukrala Mata Temple at Billawar, Mata Bala Sundri atNagri and Jorian Mata Temple at Bani, so that the inher-ent pilgrim potential of the place is explored and utilizedto the maximum possible extent.
Inside view of the cave.
Aerial view of the cave.
Romesh Mengi
Maha Shivratri, which literallytranslates to “great night ofShiva” is a Hindu festival largelycelebrated in all states of India.The festival is celebrated on thenew moon day in the month ofMaagha according to the Hinducalendar. The day is celebratedto venerate Lord Shiva, animportant deity in Hindu culture.People often fast on the night of Shivratri and sing
hymns and praises in the name of Lord Shiva. Shiva tem-ples across the country are decorated with lights and col-orful decorations and people can be seen offering nightlong prayers to Shiva Lingam. Woodapple leaves, coldwater and milk are offered to the Shiva Lingam on thisday as they are believed to be Lord Shiva’s favorite.
It is believed that the people who fast on this night andoffer prayers to Lord Shiva bring good luck into their life.The most popular Maha Shivratri celebrations take placein Ujjain, believed to be the place of residence of LordShiva. Large processions are carried out throughout thecity, with people thronging the streets to catch a glimpseof the revered idol of Lord Shiva.
There are many mythological legends associated withthis day. According to a popular legend, when a huntercould not find anything to kill for his food in a forest, hewaited on the branch of a Woodapple tree. In order toattract deer, he started throwing the leaves of the tree onthe ground, unaware that there was a Shiva Lingambeneath the tree. Pleased with the Woodapple leaves andthe patience of the hunter, it is believed that Lord Shivaappeared in front of the hunter and blessed him with wis-dom. From that day onwards, the hunter stopped eatingmeat.
According to the Puranas, during the great mythicalchurning of the ocean called Samudra Manthan, a pot ofpoison emerged from the ocean. The gods and thedemons were terrified as it could destroy the entireworld. When they ran to Shiva for help, he in order toprotect the world, drank the deadly poison but held it inhis throat instead of swallowing it. This turned his throatblue, and since then he came to be known as ‘Nilkantha’,the blue-throated one.
It is also believed that Hindu devotees stay awakewhole night to give company to God Shiva, who was notsupposed to fall asleep after drinking the ocean poison(Kalakootam).
Some folklore also consider this to be Shiva’s day asthis was believed to be the answer given by Lord Shivawhen asked about his favorite day by Goddess Parvati.
Devotees believe that Lord Shiva married Devi Parvati
on Shivratri. Thus, the day is the union of Shiva andShakti, the two greatest forces of the Universe.
THE STORY OF KING CHITRABHANUOnce upon a time King Chitrabhanu of the Ikshvaku
dynasty, who ruled over the whole of Jambudvipa , wasobserving a fast with his wife, it being the day of MahaShivaratri. The sage Ashtavakra came on a visit to thecourt of the king. The sage asked the king the purpose ofhis observing the fast. King Chitrabhanu explained thathe had a gift of remembering the incidents of his pastbirth, and in his previous life he had been a hunter inVaranasi and his name was Suswara. His only livelihoodwas to kill and sell birds and animals. The day before thenew moon, while roaming through forests in search ofanimals, he saw a deer, but before his arrow flew henoticed the deer’s family and their sadness at its impend-ing death. So he let it live. He had still not caught any-thing when night fell, so he climbed a tree for shelter. Ithappened to be a Bael tree. His canteen leaked water,so he was both hungry and thirsty.
These two torments kept him awake throughout thenight, thinking of his poor wife and children who werestarving and anxiously awaiting his return. To pass thetime, he engaged himself in plucking the Bael leaves anddropping them down onto the ground. The next day hereturned home and bought some food for himself and hisfamily. The moment he was about to break his fast astranger came to him, begging for food. He served thefood first to stranger and only ate afterward. At the timeof his death, he saw two messengers of Lord Shiva, sentto conduct his soul to the abode of Shiva. He learnt thenfor the first time of the great merit he had earned byunconscious worship of Shiva during the night of MahaShivaratri. The messengers told him that there had beena Lingam (a symbol for the worship of Shiva) at the bot-tom of the tree. The leaves he dropped from the Bael treehad fallen into the shape of a Lingam, in imitation ofShiva’s ritual worship. The water from his leaky canteenhad washed the Lingam (also a ritual action), and he hadfasted all day and all night. Thus, he unconsciously hadworshiped Lord Shiva. At the conclusion of the tale theKing said that he had lived in the abode of the Shiva andenjoyed divine bliss for a long time before being rebornas Chitrabhanu. This story is narrated in the GarudaPurana. ‘Shivaratri’ means ‘night of Shiva’. The impor-tant components of this religious festival are rigid fastingfor twenty four hours and sleepless vigil during the night.Every true devotee of Lord Shiva spends the night ofShivaratri in deep meditation, keeping vigil and observ-ing the fast.
The worship of Lord Shiva consists in offering flowers,Bilva leaves and other gifts on the Lingam, which is asymbol of Lord Shiva, and bathing it with milk, curd,ghee, honey, sugar, coconut water, butter, and rose-water.
The day is considered auspicious for women. They fastand pray to the Lord to get blessed with blissful marriedlife, while unmarried woman would pray for an ideal hus-band like Shiva.
All through the day the devotees keep severe fast,
chant the sacred Panchakshara mantra “Om NamahShivaya”, make offerings of flowers and incense to theLord amidst ringing of temple bells. They maintain longvigils during the night, keeping awake to listen to stories,hymns and songs. The fast is broken only the next morn-
ing, after the nightlong worship. In Kashmir, the festivalis held for 15 days. The 13th day is observed as a day offast followed by a family feast. Maha Shivratri a uniquetime to burn your bad Karmas with the blessings ofMahadev Shiva.
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2016 INTERNET EDITION : www.dailyexcelsior.com/magazine""GGrreeaatt hhoonnoouurr ttoo bbee ............PPaaggee 44 TThhee ‘‘GGoodd-mmaann’’ ooff..........PPaaggee 33
CELEBRATING NIGHT OF SHIVA
The mystical abode of Lord ShivaAt Mahanal there is a big cave and inside the cave a natural lingamexists which as per legends dates back to centuries. The cave openingis narrow and only one person can enter the cave at a time to reach thesanctum sanctorum and have darshans of Lord Shiva.
