Moreshwar Ganapati Legend

 Moreshwar Ganapati

 

There are eight temples situated in near Pune in Maharashtra worshipped as sanctified locations where Ganesha manifested himself in various situations. These situations were forests and caves where he blessed different devatas who prayed to Ganapati to bless their mission and did intense tapas for their successful completion. 

This temple is sanctified by the manifestation of Ganapati and comes first in the Ashtavinayaka Yatra. Situated about 50 kilometers from Pune, the temple is fifty feet tall and has four entrances each guarded by a Devata. The temple faces North and a large idol of a mouse is seen in the front. There a sthal vriksh or a sacred tree is at the end of the parikrama, or circumbulation.  A sculpture of a Nandi is seen in the front. There are three pujas conducted every day, 7a.m., 12 noon, and 8p.m. The most important days are Ganesh Chaturthi (Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi) and Ganesh Jayanti (Magh Shukla Chaturthi).

After his presence in a cave in a village named Lenyadri, Ganapati decided to move on in his journey. In every location, one can feel his presence and see the idol in the temple. This temple at Lenyadri is unique because here Ganesha is worshipped as an infant. One day he finds an egg which breaks when he touches it. A peacock comes out of the egg. He decides to use the peacock as his vehicle to continue his journey. On the way, he vanquishes a demon Sindhurasura.

The next Kshetra, which earns the name Moregaon because Ganesha came here on a peacock is revered as the primordial Kshetra where he reveals his complete form.

After many centuries, a couple comes here to pray for progeny. Ganesha realises that there is no progeny in their destiny. But they do not give up and continue intense tapas and worship Ganesha to fulfil their desire. Ganesha blesses them by being born as their son. This birth is celebrated as Ganesha Jayanti. This child, also named after the deity, becomes a staunch devotee too. One night he comes late from his travel and finds the sanctum closed.  So, he sits down under a tree and begins to sing praises of his beloved Ganesha. Hearing him sing, the idol Ganapati walks out of the sanctum and sits next to him, enjoying the music. As even Vishnu says those devotees who sing his praises are closest to his heart. The purohit comes next morning and cajoles the idol Ganapati to return to the sanctum. Till today one can see the tree, and two idols under the tree. Ganesha asks this devotee to marry and that he will be born as his child. This child is named Morya who later becomes Morya Gosavi.

I came across a Upanyas by Shri Vinay L. Varanasi a young scholar who speaks about our Puranas, Devis and Devatas. This post is based on his talk.  (YouTube Link below) was a talk in Pune a few days before Ganesha Chaturthi this year. The subject was Ashtavinayakas and as a viewer I was mesmerised by his flowing language, deep knowledge and his devotion to the subject. Do log on to his Youtube posts and listen to his erudite talks on our Sanatana Dharma in English.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8AwRDdsBYI

#VinayLVaranasi #Ganesha #Moreshwar #Ashtavinyak #RuupaRaamanMusic 

                                            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesha_Temple,_Morgaon

Kollur Mookambika Devi-2

 

 

Thousands of devotees throng the temple every year to ask for divine intervention in their life’s troubles or offer gratitude for the miracles Devi had wrought in their life. Parents carry their one-year-old kid to the Saraswathi Mahal for Vidyarambham or the first step to education. Singers and dancers offer seva at the temple as gratitude to Saraswathi Devi.

 

I first heard of the Mookambika Devi and her powerful aura in 2000. The first visit was in 2005 with my son Ranjan and daughter Ruupa. They both offered sangeet seva in Sri Krishna temple at nearby Udupi and in Kollur. The Saraswathi mandapam was empty and we could sit there for some time. Their musical journey took up speed after that visit, and they found a direction for their talent. A Bengali friend was in the ICU for over twenty days when I decided to do a night watch to give relief to the family. To my surprise, the very next morning her tubes were pulled off, and she could speak to me for an hour before the happy family rushed in to meet her. The friend, a singer herself, visited Kollur and offered the token of gratitude I had sent for Devi. Famous musician Ilayaraja and the golden voiced singer Yesudas are devotees. The most famous song Janani Janani from the Tamil film ‘Thai Mookambika’ composed by Ilayaraja, (lyrics by Vali) is now an eternal hymn.

 

 

 

I ascribe the many miracles in my life due to Devi. After a roller-coaster life, I found peace and a pathway opened for me. My children and I have a resolution never to pray for favours but accept life events as a gift from our Divine Mother Mookambika Devi. I am blessed  that I could visit the temple a few times, and my last visit was on my milestone birthday two years ago. Faith and devotion ensure tangible impact in life’s journey.

#Kollur #Mookambika #Sauparnikariver #AdiShankaracharya #Soundaryalahari #Chandragiri #Kodachadari #smilingseeker #MusicdirectorIlayaraja #Yesudas #LyricistVali

 

Kollur Mookambika Devi

  

 Kollur Mookambika Devi-1

 

The drive to Kollur Mookambika Devi temple is through a narrow road with dense forests on either side. The Sauparnika river flows by the side and we get glimpses and the rush of the flowing river through the trees on the right side of the road. There are many myths, legends and miracles associated with Devi, and it takes time to fully understand the mystery and powers of the sacred temple.

One of the well-known temples of Karnataka, and in proximity of Udupi Sri Krishna’s temple, the temple in Kollur is thronged by devotees who pray for blessings in their pursuit of arts like music and dance, education and knowledge. The Devi enshrines the powers of Durga, Saraswathi and Lakshmi on left side of the Lingam and Siva on the right.

                                   Devotees of all castes and faiths throng the temple throughout the year

The legend most well-known and revered by devotees is that of the demon Kaumasura who was observing Tapasya and practicing severe penance to gain matchless powers. The gods feared that he may indulge in destruction and mayhem with his power and appealed to the Divine Mother to intervene. Saraswati Devi took away his power of speech to he could not address the gods. Furious, the demon, now named Mookasura, continued to harass sage Kola Maharishi who was doing penance. Devi Durga drew on the power of the gods and vanquished the demon with her divine chakra and became known as Devi Mookambika.

                                                Details of dancing images on the chariot.

The revered proponent of Advaita Vedanta, Adi Shankaracharya, chose Kodachadari hills near Kollur to observe penance. Pleased with his penance and devotion, Saraswati Devi appeared before him and asked him for his wish.  Shankaracharya requested Devi to come to Kerala with him. Devi agreed with one condition. She will follow him, but he must never look back to see her. They began their journey, but at one time he could not hear her the sound of her anklets. In his anxiety, he forgot her one condition and had looked back to see why Devi had stopped. At that very location where Devi stopped, near Chandragiri Hills, is the exact location of the present temple. Devi now instructed Shankaracharya to construct a temple for her and install her idol with due ceremony.

 

 

Detail on the stambham

                                                   

The temple is a Jyotirlinga and the main deity is a Swayambhu Lingam (Manifested) that combines Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma on the right and the three Devis on the left. A golden line divides the Lingam.  This combined power of the major deities is the reason why the temple exudes a divine vibration.

The temple is also known as one of the seven Mukthi Stalas created by Vishnu Avatara Parasuraman.

Devi is worshipped in three forms every day. In the morning she is worshipped as Maha Kali who empowers power and courage. At noon, she is Maha Lakshmi who grants wealth and prosperity. In the evening Devi is worshipped as Maha Saraswati who is the deity of knowledge, wisdom and Fine arts.

 

The sacred stambham covered with golden plates and images carved on all sides 

The iconography of the Devi idol is unique. Devi sits in Padmasana under the Sri Chakra. Her eyes are in Shambhavi mudra which means her one eye looks upward and the other eye downwards. She has a Third Eye which symbolises Fire. She wears a diamond nose-ring and her earrings are Sri Yantras. Four hands are seen, two holding Shank (Conch) and Chakra (Wheel weapon), and the other two in Abhaya (protection) and Varada

(granting boons) hastas.

It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya wrote Soundarya Lahari at this location. He laid down the instructions for the rituals to be performed here, which has been followed for centuries. They follow the Vijayagama tradition or Tantric rituals. Four families have been given the rights to perform the rituals here. There is a powerful energy and divine vibration that engulfs one as one enters the temple precincts.

 

The sacred chariot rests. The wooden chariot has beautiful carved images on all sides.

The temple is a Jyotirlinga and the main deity is a Swayambhu Lingam (Manifested) that combines Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma on the right and the three Devis on the left. A golden line divides the Lingam.  This combined power of the major deities is the reason why the temple exudes a divine vibration.

The temple is also known as one of the seven Mukthi Stalas created by Vishnu Avatara Parasuraman.

Devi is worshipped in three forms every day. In the morning she is worshipped as Maha Kali who empowers power and courage. At noon, she is Maha Lakshmi who grants wealth and prosperity. In the evening Devi is worshipped as Maha Saraswati who is the deity of knowledge, wisdom and Fine arts.

 

The iconography of the Devi idol is unique. Devi sits in Padmasana under the Sri Chakra. Her eyes are in Shambhavi mudra which means her one eye looks upward and the other eye downwards. She has a Third Eye which symbolises Fire. She wears a diamond nose-ring and her earrings are Sri Yantras. Four hands are seen, two holding Shank (Conch) and Chakra (Wheel weapon), and the other two in Abhaya (protection) and Varada (granting boons) hastas.

It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya wrote Soundarya Lahari at this location. He laid down the instructions for the rituals to be performed here, which has been followed for centuries. They follow the Vijayagama tradition or Tantric rituals. Four families have been given the rights to perform the rituals here. There is a powerful energy and divine vibration that engulfs one as one enters the temple precincts.

 Read Kollur Mookambika -2 for more information and photos. 

#Kollur #Mookambika #Sauparnikariver #AdiShankaracharya #Soundaryalahari #Chandragiri #Kodachadari #smilingseeker #MusicdirectorIlayaraja #Yesudas #LyricistVali