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Kanchi Periva Forum - Maha Shivaratri Special Edition Ebook PDF
Kanchi Periva Forum - Maha Shivaratri Special Edition Ebook PDF
Volume : 11
Published : March 2013
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 3
Maha Shivaratri - Overview .......................................................................................................................... 4
Observance of Maha Shivaratri and its significance ..................................................................................... 4
Shri Maha Perivas discourses....................................................................................................................... 6
................................................................................................................... 14
Bilvashtakam ........................................................................................................................................... 19
Shiva Panchakshara stotram ................................................................................................................... 20
Lingashtakam .......................................................................................................................................... 22
Rameshwaram ........................................................................................................................................ 24
Srisailam .................................................................................................................................................. 24
Bhimashankar ......................................................................................................................................... 25
Grishneshwar .......................................................................................................................................... 26
Tryambakeshwar ..................................................................................................................................... 27
Somnath .................................................................................................................................................. 28
Dwarka .................................................................................................................................................... 29
Omkareshwar .......................................................................................................................................... 29
Ujjain ....................................................................................................................................................... 30
Vaidhyanath ............................................................................................................................................ 31
Varanasi................................................................................................................................................... 32
Kedarnath................................................................................................................................................ 33
Acknowledgements..................................................................................................................................... 35
We are pleased to bring you the Eleventh edition of the e-book series from the Kanchi Periva
Forum.
This months ebook is a special edition on Maha Shivaratri celebrated on Sunday 10th March
2013. As we all know, our Paramacharya is none other than incarnation of the Lord
Parameshwara Himself. Hence, the occasion of Shivaratri must be celebrated by all Periva
devotees with grandeur. It is His wish and command as well, as could be seen in the
discourses contained in this ebook.
Through this ebook, we bring you Sri Maha Perivas discourse on Shivaratri, in addition to
information on the significance of the festival, pooja procedure and some interesting details on
the Twelve Jyothirlingams.
We are sure that this Ebook will be a feast to your eyes and we request you to forward this to
all your friends and relatives.
For those who are not familiar about our website and forum, we welcome you to visit
www.periva.org for a collection of rare videos and complete online library of upanyasams of
Sri Maha Periva. Please also register on the forum www.periva.proboards.com to stay updated
on devotees experiences and to receive our regular newsletters.
We humbly submit this Eleventh e-book at the lotus feet of Shri Maha Periva. Though this book
is for restricted circulation among like-minded members of the society, this is a Free publication
like all our other publications, which can be downloaded from www.periva.proboards.com
Administrator
Kanchi Periva Forum
In the Puranas many kathas (stories and legends) explained the origin and significance of the
festival Maha Shivaratri. As per one, during the period of churning the ocean (sagar manthan)
by the gods and the demons, a pot of poison (Kaal koot) emerged from the ocean.
To commemorate the event of Shiva protecting the world with his miraculous act, we celebrate
Maha Shivaratri. There is a reference in one of the Puranas, where Shiva himself tells Parvati
Devi [the Divine Mother] that this day is particularly dear to him, and that those who perform
the prescribed austerities on this day will be freed from all sins.
The night long austerity must be followed by Punah Puja next morning and Bhojan (meals)
along Brahmanas, who should also be satisfied with Dakshinas. After observing Shivaratris for
fourteen consecutive years, one could perform Udyapan or successful completion of the
Shivaratri Vratha.
Observance of Maha Shivaratri even by mistake could yield fruits, let alone proper and
systematic worship; this was illustrated by an incident said Sutha Muni at the congregation of
Sages at Naimisaranya.
Very reluctantly, the hunter agreed and let the animals leave. The second Prahara was closing
but there was no trace of the mother deer. But the sister of the earlier deer approached the
pond along her kids and the happenings of the earlier Prahara repeated viz.the hunter pulled
out his bow and arrow, the bel tree leaves as also the water drops from the hunters vessel fell
on the Siva Linga, the sister deer made a similar request and the hunter let the animal leave as
he did to the earlier one, thus accomplishing the worship of the third Prahara.
Bhagavan Siva revealed Himself before Gurudruha as a transformed person and blessed him
that in his next birth, he would be Nishad during Ramas incarnation and the latter would give
him the boon of attaining Vaikuntha.
The sloka says, that we should do 'abhishekam', to the brilliant 'Spatika Linga', that is spread
from the nether worlds to limitless expanse of the skies. Spatika is a naturally occuring crystal.
Crystal has no colour. Whatever is kept behind it, it will reflect that colour. It is spotless. If you
keep a green leaf behind it, the whole Linga will seem green. Same with a red flower. It is as
though reflecting our mental make up. It is transparent, pure, open as the primordial thing.
All the 'Brhmaanda', or cosmic egg, is Siva Linga, says Sri Rudram. Sri Rudram says, that
everything in the universe, good and bad, is the form of Siva. Why is the Lingam spherical? For a
sphere, there is no head or tail; no start or end. Lingam shows that Sivam is without an origin or
finish. Instead of being a perfect sphere, it is ellipsoidal. The universe is also ellipsoidal. The
Solar system collectively and all the planets in it individually are all similarly ellipsoidal! When
the sloka says 'Brhmandam aavispurath', it is borne out to be true, by modern science of
Astronomy.
We think of some relative and feel happy. The happiness is greater when you see the person.
Similarly, if Siva comes in a recognizable form, it will be more thrilling. Only Gnanis can
understand the formless form of the Almighty God. Common people would rather prefer even
the primordial truth in some form. That is why, instead of being the shapeless shape of Siva
Linga, He shows the 'Lingodbhava Murthy', within the Linga! Even here, He has no top or
bottom, no start or end!
The idea behind Vishnu and Brhma, not finding the ends, is not to decry their capabilities, but
to indicate that the "formless is limitless". This is also to indicate that, what could not be traced
by Brhma and Vishnu, cannot be approached by 'pride and prejudice'!
But that formless, limitless Siva is easily pleased. One of His names is 'Aasutosh', meaning,easily
satisfied. On the night of 'Maha Siva Rathri', let us think deeply, repeatedly, that we are in Him!
Gnani or a man of self awareness, does not see anything other than the Self or Athma or God. He knows
and is aware that it is one Being, that is seen as many. One Self appearing as all. He discards the outer
appearances as Maya and sees only the inner Being and is in Bliss for that reason. Since the apparent
world is Maya, he has nothing to do with the world. For him the Seer, Seen and Seeing; is all One, and so
has no job or work or duty. The Upanishads say that He is himself Brhmam.
He comes as the beautiful Bikshanana to Tharuka Vana and enamours all the wives of the Rishis. In
Daksha Yagnya, He knocks out Surya, with an uppercut to the jaws and breaks all his teeth. He drinks the
Alahala Poison, in the battle of Devas and Asuras and becomes Neelakant, by stopping the poison in the
throat.
Gnanis do not see the world. Swami is also known as the Thatastha, the via-media. He knows the
world, people in the world and the gnanis. He can tell the gnanis to lift the swimming mass, from the
morass of worldly involvement and bring them ashore.
What happens to the principle of Oneness, when there are two different rules; one when you are happy
and another for sharing your pains?
Swami is the inner static being. He is the outer dynamic force. He is said to have five duties known as,
pancha-krutyam, or five fold jobs. You all know, the three, namely, creation, maintenance and
destruction. All these three are of , the Maya, or apparent condition only. The fourth one is called as
thirodanam, or hiding. That is, hiding the fact of reality. Hiding Maya, from being known as unreal!
The fifth one is the process of relieving us from the unreal Maya. That is Anugraham, meaning
compassionate blessings. Without this anugraham, we can never be relieved of the delusion of Maya.
To pray for this compassion, believing Him to be kind-hearted and to love him with a melting heart is
devotion or Bakthi!
Bhagawatam came into being with the purpose of establishing the superlative importance of Vishnus
exploits, power and message. In the middle of Bhagawatam is the story of Dakshayani. In it through Her
words, the value of the Name of Siva, has been explained by the author Suka Acharyal. He is Brhma
Swaroopam, known as Sukabrhmam. His words have special value as the all knowing repository of
knowledge in almost all the Purana-s. Then, the one extolling the values of the Name of Siva is
Dakshayani Herself, the wife of Siva! Then, it is worth the while to note the context in which she praises
the Siva Nama!
She came there because, it was Her Father who was conducting a
great Yaaga. She came uninvited. She was Dakshayani, a name
derived from the fact that she was Daksha Prajapathis daughter.
Actually Her name was Sati. That was previous to Her being born
as Himavans daughter named Parvathy. Parameswara Her
husband told Her, It is better not to go there, as you are
uninvited! Without listening to Her husbands advice, She came
there, because of Her being Daksha Prajapathis daughter.
Siva was a different type of being, who did not display much of respect for Daksha or anyone else for
that matter. Somehow, obedient to Brhmas words Daksha got the marriage of his daughter done and
sent her to Kailasa. The father daughter relationship was cut off since then. It was Her nostalgia for her
childhood home and relatives that was possibly the cause of her coming uninvited, despite Her
husbands advice, not to go! Having invited 330 millions of Devata-s, Daksha did not invite his daughter
and son-in-law that is Siva!
Having arrived, once She saw all the invited guests, the fact of Her Husband Siva not being invited, hurt
Her the most! This maha pativrata (woman who is truly faithful to her wedded husband) was completely
shattered. The recurrent thought in Her mind was one of repentance for having committed the mistake
She thought, Should I go away from here? If so, go where? Should I go to Kailas, my Husbands place?
There can be no better place than that for a wife! O K. Then why dont you go there? If, by chance if, He
were to say, Despite my warning, you have gone there and earned fat lot of disrespect! Now, why do
you come here?, then what will I do? Is this the thought? No, no. He is the very embodiment of Love.
He is compassion personified. He will not ask such questions. It is my mind that will raise these questions
and accuse me.
One more thing. In future when He is playing around with me, even if He
inadvertently happens to call me Dakshayani, that is enough! Do I need
any more punishment? It is a name that I have inherited for being the
daughter of someone who talks ill of Siva. There is no bigger punishment
than to continue to carry the burden of that name! Better than this is to
give up this body, which is due to him, who is Anti-Siva! Let this body be
destroyed. I thought of where to go. Now I have the answer. Let us leave
this body and go back to Siva and merge in Him without a second!
Near the Yagna Kundam (dug out place for the purpose of lighting the
fire of oblation), She sat with these thoughts and got herself sublimated,
says the Bhagawatam. Other Siva Aagamaa-s and Puraanaa-s, talk of her
jumping into the Yagna Kundam and immolating Herself. Before such self
immolation, in Bhagawatam, there is a description of what she told Her
Father Daksha, in praise of Her Husband Siva! This is the Siva Nama
Mahima, that I have mentioned in the title for to-days talk.
Sri Maha Periva performed the special Shivaratri pujas on February 23, 1952 at Naagangudi and gave the
following talk to the devotees on the glory of Paramasiva:
The ghee when melted has no colour. When it is cooled it acquires a colour. Sastras say that Siva has
no form. But when He is cooled by the intensity of devotion shown to Him by His devotees, He takes a
form to redeem His devotees. He takes different forms and protects us. Though He has not taken
avatars like Vishnu, He captures the hearts of devotees by His several charming forms.
The Lord takes the form of Bhikshandar with no jewels on and with natural beauty. He appears as the
handsome Sundareswarar. He also appears as the Bhairavamurthi who removes the fear of those who
have fear. It is the same Lord who appears as the brave Veerabhadra. To give the Devas the happiness
they desired, He dances as Nataraja in Chitsabha.
Of the three Murthis we have to think that Parameswara is the most compassionate. Brahma, the
creator does not need to be compassionate. He is not at fault even if he does not create. Vishnu gives
the people happiness and sorrow according to their sins and punya. But Paramasiva gives everyone a
little rest from this samsara whether they are saints or sinners during the time of Pralaya. Hence He is
the ocean of compassion and grace.
Even the first of the Vaishnava Azhwars has sung in praise of Siva as
Mukkannappa (Lord with three eyes). Thayumanavar appeals to the
Lord as Ammayappa (One who is both mother and father). Shivaratri
is the day to celebrate Siva who is compassionate and is the refuge of
all beings. Even though He is formless, in response to the prayers of
His devotees, He assumed the form of a Lingam which is neither a form
in the real sense nor is it formless.
This holy day when the Lord came out as Lingam from the Jyothi form and then attained a beautiful
form is good for meditation and prayers. Paramasiva took this form at midnight. We should fast the
whole day, avoid sleep, chant His name and pray to His form in temples in memory of His having
manifested as Lingam in response to the love of the devotees.
We have to meditate on Siva every day and especially on Shivaratri and be the recipients of His
blessings.
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The entire day is dedicated to Lord Shiva. So you can start the prayers from the morning by
visiting a Shiva temple. Most Shiva devotees start the prayers in the evening after 20:00 hrs and
First, before starting puja, chant Sankalpam for Shiva puja. In Sankalpam, the place, gothra,
nama, tithi, vara, nakshatra, and some other details are chanted in mantra form. You can also
just say your name and gothra if you not much aware of Sankalpa mantra.
Start puja with Ganesh Puja. Chant some simple mantras of Lord Ganesh and pray for
destruction of obstacles during Shiva Puja.
The third step is Gauri Puja. Take approximately 5 gms of turmeric (haldi) powder and make it
like a cone shaped structure and consider it as Goddess Gauri and chant simple prayer to Gauri
or Parvati. (Some devotees skip Gauri Puja). Nandishwara Puja, Veerabhadra Puja, Kartikeya
Pooja, Kubera Pooja, Keerthimukha puja, and Sarpa Puja are optional.
Those who are inclined to perform a detailed and elaborate Puja, can download the below
document for their reference. Please note however that this should have been learnt from an
appropriate Guru to avoid any unintentional negative effects in pronounciation or
performance:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwuDCferB6sJaURTUVdNWWUzdDQ/edit?usp=sharing
Bilvashtakam
I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva, Which has three leaves, Which causes three
qualities,Which are like the three eyes of Shiva, Which is like the triad of weapons,
And which destroys sins of three births.
I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva, Which has three shoots, Which do not have holes,
Which are good and pretty, And worship Lord Shiva.
I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva, For if an uncut leaf is offered, To his steed the god Nandi,
We get cleaned of all our sins.
I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva, For it is equal to, offering a saligrama to a Brahmin,
Or the great blessing got out of performing Soma Yaga.
I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva, For it is equal to gifting thousand elephants, Or the
performing of hundred fire sacrifices, Or giving away billions of girls (kanya-daanam).
I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva , For it is equal to giving a tree of Bilwa, Which was born
from the breast of Lakshmi, And which is very dear to the Lord Shiva.
I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva, After living in the city of Kasi, Seeing the Kala Bhairawa,
And also visiting the temple Of Madhawa in Allahabad.
I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva, As Brahma resides at its bottom, Lord Vishnu lives in its
middle, And Lord Shiva lives in its tip.
Reading this holy octet of Bilwa, In the presence of Lord Shiva, Would save one from all sins,
And in the end take him to the world of Shiva.
Shiva is the destroyer among the trinity and is worshipped as their main deity by millions of
Hindus. The holy word chant to worship him is made of five letters and is popularly called
Panchakshara- Na Ma Si Va ya. In this popular stotra each of these letters is considered as him
and he is praised for his great qualities.)
My salutations to the letter Na , which is Shiva, Who wears as garland the king of snakes.
Who has three eyes, Who wears ash all over Him, Who is the greatest Lord, Who is forever,
Who is the cleanest, And who wears the directions themselves as dress
My salutations to the letter Ma , which is Shiva, Who is bathed by waters of ganges, Who
applies sandal paste all over him, Who has Lord Nandi as his chiefton, Who is the greatest lord,
And who is worshipped by Mandhara and many other flowers.
My salutations to the letter Va , which is Shiva, Who is worshipped by great sages like,
Vasishta, Agasthya and Gowthama , As also the devas, And who has sun , moon and fire as his
three eyes.
My salutations to the letter Ya , which is Shiva, Who takes the form of Yaksha, Who has a
tufted hair, Who is armed with spear, Who is forever filled with peace, Who is godly, Who is the
great God, And who wears the directions themselves as dress.
Phalasruthi
Panchaksharamidham punyam, Ya padeth Shiva sannidhou,
Shivaloka maapnothi, Shive na saha modathe.
Lingashtakam
I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva, Which is worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu
and other Devas, Which is pure and resplendent, And which destroys sorrows of birth.
I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva, Which is worshipped by great sages and
devas, Which destroyed the god of love, Which showers mercy, And which destroyed the pride
of Ravana.
I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva, Which is adorned by sandal paste and
saffron, Which wears the garland of lotus flowers, And which can destroy accumulated sins.
I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva, Which is served by gods and other beings,
Which is the doorway for devotion and good thought, And which shines like billions of Suns.
I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva, Which is surrounded by eight petals,
Which is the prime reason of all riches, And which
destroys eight types of poverty.
Any one who chants the holy octet of the Lingam, In the holy presence of Lord Shiva, Would in
the end reach the world of Shiva, And keep him company.
The following slogam explains the twelve points in India where the Jyotir Lingams are situated
Rameshwaram is an island situated in the gulf of manner at the very tip of the Indian peninsula.
A very important pilgrim centre of the Indians. Rameshwaram is the place from where Lord
Rama, built a bridge across the sea to rescue his consort Sita, from her abductor, Ravana.
This is also the place where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to cleanse away the sin of killing
Ravana. Both the Vaishnavites and Shaivites visit this pilgrimage which is known as the Varanasi
the south.
Ramnathswamy temple was built in the 17th century. Situated close to the sea on the eastern
side of the island, this temple is famous for its 1200 gigantic granite columns. The 54 metre tall
gopuram (gate-tower), 1220 metres of magnificent corridors and the flamboyant columns
embellish and render fame to the temple. The water in each of the 22 sacred wells in the
temple tastes different.100 metres away from the temple is Agnitheertham, where Rama
worshipped Lord Shiva, to absolve himself from the killing Ravana.
Gandamadana Parvatham:
The imprint of Lord Rama's feet placed on a
Chakra (wheel) is found in this shrine which is at
the highest point on the island at 2 km from
Rameswaram.
Srisailam
Srisailam - also one of the 52 Shakthi Peethams - where Sivananda Lahari was sung
Sree Sailam near Kurnool enshrines Mallikarjuna in an ancient temple rich in architectural and
sculptural wealth. Adi Sankaracharya composed his Sivanandalahiri here.
Located admist the Nallamalai forests on a height of 457 mt on the southern banks of river
Krishna in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh is Srisailam also known as Sriparvata, home of the
'Chechu' tribes. Srisailam boasts of India's largest tiger reserve, home to tigers, leopards,
Bhimashankar
Bhimashankar - the birth place of the river Bhima
Countless devotees from all over Maharashtra and from places outside the state, flock near the
temple during 'Tripuri Poornima'. Bhimashankar is more popular as a tourist place than a
religious one due to its extravagant beauty and breathtaking scenery. This place is situated at a
height of approximately 3250 feet resulting in chilly weather. Being at the edge of the mountain
range, the place gives a clear view of the surrounding areas. The thick and dense forests are a
major attraction for trekkers and mountaineers as well as tourists.
The 'Shani temple' is located inside the main complex of the temple of Bhimashankar. Between
the two pillars outside the 'Shani' temple, one comes across an ancient huge Portuguese bell.
Behind the temple, there is a small pathway that leads us to the banks of a river. The dense
forest of the Bhimashankar Wild Life Sanctuary, plays abode to most of the flora and fauna. To
After a short climb to the west of the temple, one comes across a peak termed the 'Nagfani'.
The height of all these peaks is approximately 2750 feet above sea level. The peaks reveal a
beautiful picture of all the forts and hill-stations like Matheran and even small lakes.
Two routes lead to Bhimashankar from Khandas that meet at a plateau. The Koli village is
situated on the plateau. The route to Bhimashankar begins from this village. One comes across
the Pune-Bhimashankar road nearby. The first route is the tar route of a distance of 2
kilometres. This route though longer, is less difficult than the second one. The second route is
shorter but much steeper and climbs straight out to Koli village.
This place is at a distance of 265 kilometres from Mumbai via Pune by road. The nearest airport
is the Pune Airport which is at a distance of 95 kilometres from Bhimashankar. The nearest rail
route is from Pune too.
Bhimashankar is situated around 260 kms and 7 hours drive from Mumbai. You could drive upto
Bhivandi along Mumbai-Agra (Highway No.3), and then via Kalyan to Murbad. You have to take
the road that goes to Wada to reach Bhimashankar.
The route takes you through the fast moving highway traffic where you need to be extra careful
while driving. The forest road has lesser traffic and driving along this road is an experience to
cherish.
Grishneshwar
Grishneshwar - near Ellora
Tryambakeshwar
Tryambakeshwar - the birth place of river Godavari
Legend has it that Brahma and Vishnu searched in vain to discover the origin of Shiva who
manifested himself as a cosmic column of fire. Brahma lied that he had seen the top of the
column of fire, and was hence cursed that he would not be worshipped on earth. In turn
Brahma cursed Shiva that he would be pushed underground. Accordingly, Shiva came down
under the Brahmagiri hill in the form of Tryambakeshwar. The shrine enjoyed the patronage of
the Peshwas.
The Nagara style of architecture is what typifies this temple made of black stone. It is enclosed
in a spacious courtyard and the sanctum (internally a square and externally a stellar structure)
houses a small Shivalingam - Tryambaka. The sanctum is crowned with a graceful tower ,a giant
amalaka and a golden kalasha.
In front of the garbagriha and the antarala is a mandap with doors on all four sides. Three out
of the four doorways are covered with porches, and the openings of these porches are
ornamented with pillars and arches. The roof of the mandapam is formed by curvilinear slabs
rising in steps. The entire structure is ornamented with sculptural work featuring running
Kolhambika is a temple dedicated to Parvati, where she is believed to have slain the demon
Kolhasura who had swallowed the Ganga river. Also here is the Ganga Devi temple enshrining a
white marble image of Ganga. This temple was built in 1879. Other shrines here include those
to Kedarnath, Rameshwar, Gowtameshwar, Kashi Vishwanath, Jareshwar, Kanchaneshwar,
Tribhuvaneshwar, Rama, Parasurama, Krishna, Balaji, Lakshmi Narayan and Hanuman.
Three worship services are carried out each day. During the night worship service sheja-aarti is
carried out and the silver mask is placed in a bed in the hall of mirrors. Each Monday, the silver
mask of Tryambaka is placed in a palanquin and taken in procession to Kushavarta theertha and
given an abhisheka there. This procession with the special golden mask, happens also on Shiv
ratris, full moon day in the month of Kartika and during other festive occasions.
Somnath
Somnath - the first and foremost of the Jyotirlingas
Somnath is the foremost of the 12 Jyotirlinga Shrines of Shiva, held in reverence throughout
India imbued with legend, traditions and history.
It is located at Prabhas Patan in Saurashtra in
Gujarat.
It is believed that he had built this temple with gold. Later it was built by Ravana in silver, then
Lord Krishna in wood and Bhima in stone. Legend has it that the Kalabhairava shivalinga at
Prabhasa was worshipped by the moon and hence, the Lord is called as Somnatha. The
Somnath temple also houses the remains of the ancient Sun temple.
Towards the east of the town is the Bhalka Teertha. This is where, Lord Krishna is believed to
have been injured by a tribal arrow. Somnath was destroyed and rebuilt several times.
The temple is located by the beautiful blue waters of the Arabian Sea. The Somnath beach is a
fascinating sight. The fresh blue waters, humming waves and the cool sands, gives you a feeling
of having landed in a paradise. Nearby is the Prabhas Patan Museum, which houses the 11th
century version of the Somnath temple with 5 domes and many pillars.
Somath is located at a distance of 47 KMs from Keshod, an airport connected with Mumbai, and
is about 5 KMs from Veraval Railway Station.
Dwarka
Nageshwar - at Dwarka
Omkareshwar
Omkareshwar & Amareshwar
Legend has it that the mountain called Vindhya once prayed to Lord Shiva - Omkareshwara and
was blessed here. Legend also has it that upon the request of the Devas, the Shivalinga split
into two, one half being Omkareshwara and the other Amaleshwara or Amareshwar. The
temple can be reached by ferry from the banks of the river.
The Omkareshwar temple built in the Nagara style is characterized by a lofty shikhara. There
are also shrines to Annapurna and Ganesha here.
Ujjain
Mahakaleshwar at Ujjain
During King Vikramaditya Chandragupta, one of the Gupta kings' reign the nine gems
viz.,Dhanvantari, Kshapanaka, Amarasimha, Sanku, Vetala Bhatta, Ghatakharpara,
Varahamihira, Vararuchi and Kalidasa) adorned his court. Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar,
Benares, Kanchipuram, Dwarka and Ujjain are considered to be the 7 Mukti Stalas of India.
Ujjain is home to the Kumbha Mela, when Jupiter resides in the zodiac sign of Scorpio.
The Mahakaleshwar temple at Ujjain has five levels one of which is undergound. The temple
itself is located in a spacious courtyard surrounded by massive walls near a lake. The shikhara or
the spire is adorned with sculptural finery. Brass lamps light the way to the underground
sanctum. It is believed that prasada (holy offering) offered here to the deity can be re-offered
unlike all other shrines.
Legend has it that a demon by the name of Dushana tormented the residents of Avanti and that
Shiva appeared from the ground and vanquished the demon, and then upon the request of the
Vaidhyanath
Vaidhyanath - a.k.a. Baijnath
The ancient pilgrimage town of Deogarh in the Santal Parganas area of Bihar is revered as one of the 12
Jyotirlingas of Shiva.
This shrine located at Deogarh in the Santal Parganas region of Bihar represents one of the 12
Jyotirlingams of Shiva held in reverence
throughout the country. Deogarh is also
known as Vaidyanath, Haritaki Vana, Ketaki
Vana, Ravana Vana, Chitabhoomi and
Hardapeetha. Some schools of thought believe
Vaidyanath near Parali in Andhra Pradesh to
be the Vaidyanatha Jyotirlingam. Some others
believe that Kiragram in Punjab and Dabhoi in
Gujarat are the Vaidyanatha Jyotirlinga
temples.
Vishnu then came down in the form of a lad and volunteered to hold the Jyotirlingam as he
relieved himself. But before Ravana could return, the young lad placed the jyotirlingam on the
ground to which it became rooted. A disappointed Ravana offered severe penances to Shiva
here, and cut off nine of his heads as a part of his repentance. Shiva revived him and joined the
heads to the body, like a Vaidya or a physician, hence this Jyotirlingam goes by the name
Vaidyanath. The same legend holds at Gokarnam in Karnataka.
Another legend has it that this temple was re-discovered by a cowherd Baiju, and hence the
name Baijnath.
The temple of Vaidyanath is situated in a spacious courtyard bounded by stone walls. In the
temple complex are twenty two other temples. The Baijnath or Vaidyanath temple faces east.
The top of the Shiva Lingam is slightly broken, which is in keeping with the legend that it go
chipped when Ravana tried to uproot it. Near the temple is the Sivaganga lake. The
Chandrakoopa well, near the main entrance is said to have been built and consecrated with
water from several thirthams (thirthams meaning holy waters) by Ravana.
Varanasi
Varanasi - a.k.a. - Benares
The Vishwanath temple in Benares in Uttar Pradesh is the destination of thousands of pilgrims
that visit this ancient city. Probably the most famous site not just in India, but the world over,
the Vishwanath shrine is revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.
This temple was desecrated and rebuilt several times. The latest structure dating back to the
18th century (thanks to the efforts of Rani Ahilyabhai Holkar who incidentally was also
responsible for the building of the Grishneshwar temple in Aurangabad) is the main centre of
attention for the millions of pilgrims who converge here, to perform an abhishekam to the
sacred Jyotirlingam, with water from the Ganges. Benares is also considered to be one of the
Shakti Peethas of India. It is believed that the left hand of Sati fell at Varanasi, and that
Annapurna or Visalakshi represent the Shakti Peetham here.
Apart from these temples, there are five other sacred spots in Benares. The Asi-Ganga
sangamam a temple to the Sun God, a shrine to Kesava, the Panchaganga Ghat housing a
It is believed that when Shiva shook his head and his jeweled earring fell into the pit that Vishnu
had dug the name Manikarnika came into being. Tradition has it that those that die at Benares
and get cremated at the Manikarnika ghat, get liberated from the cycle of life and death.
Mention must be made of the modern shrine to Kaasi Viswanatha elsewhere in the city.
Shivaratri in the month of Aquarius is a season of great festivity at Benares.
Kedarnath
Kedarnath - the northernmost of the Jyotirlingas
Kedarnath, nestled in the snow clad Himalayas is an ancient shrine rich in legend and tradition.
It is accessible only on foot, six months in a year.
The Pandavas are given credit for building the temple of Kedarnath. The statue of Nandi, the
divine bull of Shiva, stands at the entrance of the temple. The wall inside the temple, is
exquisitely carved with images, and the temple houses a shiva lingam, which is worshipped by
hordes of pilgrims. What is truly unique about the lingam is that it is pyramidal.
Kedarnath is situated in very scenic locales and is enveloped by lofty, snow-covered mountains
and grassy meadows covering the valleys. The Kedar dome peak, which can be seen from great
distance, is located immediately behind the temple. The sight of the temple and it's perpetually
snowed landscape will take your breath away.
Kedarnath is situated at a distance of 234 Kms from Rishikesh and 251 Kms from Dehradun.
Best season is from May to October except Monsoon. Heavy Woollen Clothes would be
required if travel is undertaken in winter (September November)
1. http://kamakoti.org/
2. http://advaitham.blogspot.in/
3. http://www.hindupad.com/
4. http://www.vedarahasya.net/
5. Stotras translation - by Sri P R Ramachander