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HAIDERALI'S EPISODE
This is
recorded in the Mysore gazette and is preserved in the archieves.
The incident testified to the fact of the sanctity of the waters of
Kapila and the divinity embedded in the archamurthi. The story goes
that the royal elephant of Haiderali was affected by eye disease and
it lost its sight. Being t[he favourite of Haider . he spent a lot
of time and money too curing it. All systems of medicines were tired
and every expert attended on it, but it remained stubborn, loss of
sight became total. When worrying about it, Haiderali was advised by
a pandit -theist to send his elephant to Nanjangud for spiritual
cure, promising that a bath in Kapila and prayer at the temple would
certainly bring back sight to the elephant. As he was an enlightened
ruler with immense faith in God and respect for other religions, he
sent the elephant and made arrangements for its regular bath and due
prayer services to the Lord. And a miracle of miracles occurred that
cemented the faith of Muslims in Nanjundeswara. After 48 days of
bath and prayers with archana, abhisheka etc. the royal pacpyderm
returned home with full sight, to the jubilication of all in the
court and zenana. The grateful ruler presented an emerald necklace
to the Lord as a thanks giving offering along with many presents.
His illustrious son sent later a silver cup set with five kinds of
precious stones at the bottom as his appreciation and a mark of
adoration.
Both these
are preserved and used, and are shown to the devotees if requested
on their visit. So hoary literature neither boosted the glory of.
the Lord sans basis, nor resorted to advertising tactics with
ulterior motive. Lord Nanjundeswar out of infinite mercy showers
boons and lifts the true devotees always. The words impartially and
unfailingly deserve to be affixed when remembered his august
benevolent auspicious name.
HISTORICITY
Though this sacred shine has
been existing since that momentous occasion of Lord! Maheswar's
swallowing the deadly poison, inscriptional proof begins with the
15th century AD. Moreover, there are 63 images of Saiva saints
supposed to have been installed in the 11th century AD- History is
silent over the valuable presents bearing vestiges of antiquity. It
is believed that Diwan Purnayya and Karchur Nandiraja made their
invaluable contributions to bringing the old building to the present
shape. Many princes of Mysore made Nanjungud their favourite abode
and adored the Lord with great ardour. In 1845, Mummadi Krishna Raja
Wodeyar built the gopura and made many endowments. Royal princesses
too built many mandapas and minishrines. There are several statues
of the royal family of Wodeyar with inscriptions too. As Lord
Nanjundeswara is the Kuladaivam of the royal family, they endowed it
with several ways during the periods of many kings.
THE
TEMPLE COMPLEX
The sacred shrine built in the heart of
the town measures 385 by 160 feet and faces the east. It has an
imposing tall tower made in the Dravidian style. The verandah in the
fore is quite vast, majestic and is supported by 8 huge well carved
black stone pillars. In the interior there are many cells on the
right and left of Navaranga. In the inner prakara there are many
minishrines containing metal and stone images of several gods of the
Hindu pantheon along with saints. The images of Parvathi arid
Narayana with his consorts, Lord Subrahmanya seated on peacock and
sheltered by the seven -hooded serpent are all quite attractive and
carved with great perfection of finish. The archamurthi in the
garbha griha adorned with flowers and jewels lifts the souls and
wrings veneration.
The parapet
round the temple has several figures representing many varieties of
Ganapathi with labels below. The top parapet of the prakara around
the main shrine is embellished with stucco figures such as Bhairava,
Ganapathi, Subrahmanya, Dakshinamurthi etc. have labels below
indicating the details of construction and the like. But most of
them are worn off and deserve proper care, yet their aesthetic
appeal is great. The time spent in the temple looking at various
status and offering prayers to them is quite rewarding and listening
to the Sthalapurana by the priests is immensely elevating.
The sports
of Lord Maheswar are quite thrilling both to Saivates and
Vaishnavates. As in the Saivite shrines, here too several types of
Prayer Services are offered. Being the household deity of several
lakhs of persons in the State of Karnataka, there is an unending
steady influx of pilgrims throughout the year. Tonsorial operation
is performed and orthodox Hindus offer pindas to the manes on the
banks of river. The periodical festivals particularly Mahasivaratri
is the star attraction, when devotees in lakhs congregate and offer
several kinds of prayers. Being the premier Saiva shrine with royal
patronage, its pull is on the ascent and the bliss it affords to the
visitors is to be only felt than described. A visit pays rich
dividends to the regular devotees besides instant solace to both
theists and tourists at the very sight of the holy archamurthi and
other adorable duties.
MOTHER CHAMUNDESWARI OF
MYSORE
The word 'Chamundi Betta' at its very
mention projects on our mental screen, a little but lovely hillock
lying at about 2 KM south-east of the fort of Mysore city, the
erstwhile capital of the former princely state of Mysore -now called
Karnataka. It is the most conspicuous land mark, quite visible for
miles around Mysore, one of the flourishing capitals called
Mahishasurapura, ruled by Mahishasura, a formidable demon in the dim
past. This rocky hillock raising to a height of 3489 feet above the
sea level with precipitous sides and a sacred shrine atop has a
glorious past, and its outstanding contribution to the prosperity of
the city and the surrounding region is embedded in several legends
and countless hymns and songs. The imposing height of its tower and
enormous dimensions dominate the landscape around and lend an
ethereal charm to the city of Mysore -a corrupt form of
Mahishasurapura.
This pretty
hill etched its glorious image on the pages of legends and history,
as many mighty princes emptied their treasuries to sanctity its
eminence, dignify its glory, magnify, its topography and beautify
its surface with several Sculptural embellishments. As it enjoyed.
royal patronage in the form of gigantic structures and palatial
buildings, its glamour has never worn off, nor status diminished
with the passage of centuries. Even the sophisticated glitter, or
its craze for western dazzle hasn't robbed off its intrinsic
grandeur. Ironically, the mod culture has enhanced its splendour to
a million fold unknown to itself; it is from here Mother
Chamundeswari fought and got spiritual freedom for the victims of
Mahishasura, and has been abiding since then extending eternal
vigilance for the welfare of whole nation. An axiomatic truth
testified by historical evidence and inscriptional proof. It has
many more uniques that placed it at the highest pedestal for soulful
veneration; it is here the Wodeyars -the former rulers of Mysore
state built and renovated the majestic temple of Mother
Chamundeswari and grand palaces for their dwelling; it is here
Marbaleswar was adored with unusual ardour by Hoyasala and
Vijayanagara rulers; it is to this shrine the enlightened Muslim
king Haiderali made endowments and stopped animal sacrifices to the
presiding deity, making it most adorable by all sections of people
it is here lies a small shrine containing the figures of
Saptamatrikas installed in the dim past; it is this deity adored as
the Kuladaivam of the Wodeyars; it is to these hills former princes
built a flight of steps for public convenience; it is to this hill
temple, King Dodda Deva Raja made monumental endowments in the form
sculptural adornments and it is to this hill, theists have been
visiting, for worship since the Vedic times. And tourists and
sophisticated people for joyous picnics.
ANTIQUITY
The descent of Mother Parvathi
here to assuming the form of Chamundeswari has a fascinating
background and it begins with the birth of Mahishasura. Many legends
trace the origin of the demon King, but are at variance with one
another. Devi Bhagavatha and Skanda purana embody long accounts of
this place -his capital. The birth of Mahishasura itself has
different versions.
According
to one version, Diti, the Mother of demons and wife of Kasyapa
grieved over the destruction of her sons incessantly at the hands of
Devendra. Though each obtained numerous boons by penance and
austerities from the Highest Trio, they could no live longer, nor
made a mark as adorable persons. By some error or other they were
not blessed with good boons, and on every occasion they were tricked
into choosing something that brought their ruination. With a view to
getting immortality for her progeny and sovereignty over the worlds,
particularly over Devendra, she took a decision of pleasing the
Highest with vigorous penance. Accordingly she went to a deep forest
for doing penance. She selected a sublime place beside the asram of
Suparsva. As her penance progressed there emerged heat from her body
and it started sending out hot winds that affected his asram. He
bore it for sometime but the inmates of his asram and surroundings
felt life unbearable. His endurance too crossed the bounds. Finding
the object of Diti's penance, he cursed her to beget a Mahisha
-bison. Unmindful of the curse or its aftermath, she continued with
tenacity unheard of. Lord Brahma, whom she propitiated appeared
before her and said that though her son's face bears semblance to
buffalo, his body would be normal like that of humans. She was
satisfied. So the son born to her bore the head of buffalo over the
human form.
This origin
of Mahishasura is at variance with another legend and according to
it, he was born to a demon called Rambhu. This is equally fantastic.
The story goes that Karambhu and Rambhu were demon brothers, sons of
Danuvu.. were worried about the defeats meeted out to whole danava
race by Devendra, though some powerful demon kings now and then
imprisoned gods, their born foes and sworn enemies. They wanted to
obtain boons of immortality and immunity to tide over the constant
menace. Karambhu and Rambhu went under water for uninterrupted
penance, but Devendra taking the form of crocodile killed Karambhu.
Thereupon Rambhu did penance to get a son to wreaking vengeance on
Devendra, propitiating Lord Siva. When the fruit eluded his grasp
even after several years, he decided to cut his head and offer it to
the Lord. Appearing at the nick of moment, the Lord said that he
would beget a son with whomsoever he had intercourse, and that one
would fulfil his desire. Highly elated, he started his journey
homeward, but on the way, there came into his sight an enchanting
young she -buffalo grazing. A single look upset him. He then took
the form of he -buffalo and gratified his lust. The result -birth of
Mahishasura. This is elaborately recounted. in the
Devibhagavatha.
When
Mahishasura grew up into a young man, he acquired mastery in astra
sastras, but not satisfied with that. He resolved to besiege
Devaloka and kill Devendra for killing his uncle Karambhu through
deceit. He did penance propitiating Lord Siva. His ghora tapa
lasting for yugas brought the Lord down. Then he prayed immortality,
but was advised that for every birth there is death, and this
universal law cannot be changed for the denizens of bhuloka and so
was asked to choose another boon. Thereupon, he opted for a boon of
his death by a woman, presuming that he could outwit any woman by
prowess and brilliance. The Lord granted.
The
conceited Mahishasura established his kingdom and made the present
Mysore as his capital and named Mahishasurapurana, evidently to
boost his image at its very mention. He started war with gods after
consolidating his position. Gods were caught and subjected to unfold
suffering. Their misery scaled new heights. They never breathed in
peace, -constant threats and unbearable punishments day in and day
out. Devendra too tasted misery, though it was less in degree. The
innocent hermits; peace -loving people were affected most. His
cruelty crossed bounds and he created another hell as, it were down
on earth. Mother Earth unable to endure the danavakrityas wailed and
went on deputation to the Trimurthis along with the victims -both
gods and humans. Their heart- rending lamentation stirred him. At
once they created a goddess and named her Devi. And she was
ravishing beauty. They invested her with invincible power by giving
their amsas so that their combined strength would floor Mahishasura.
The petitioners departed, anticipating relief soon.
Devi before
entering the war theatre, meditated for some time on Malayaparvatha.
At this juncture Narada entered scene. He went to Mahishasura and
advised him to marry captivating beauty, doing meditation of the
Malayaparvatha. The lustful demon sent his assistants to bring her
to his court. This primier Prahasu tried to stop that disastrous
step, saying she was the spouse of Lord Maheswar, any attempt would
rebound on them, and end in annihilation. Bursting him aside, sent
sufficient army. But were repelled by the Devi. Deciding to wrest
that tantalising heavenly fruit, he himself went, but was mesmerised
by her charms. He then begged her to accept him as her Lord.
Brushing into laughter, she dashed against him well armed. The
battle went on. Will the asurasakti stand against Devi, invested
with the special amsas of the Trio? Mahishasura bit the dust -the
bitter bitten found himself sunk in his own blood soon, Awaiting
this auspicious moment, the afflicted -gods, sages, innocent along
with Bhumata approaching praised her in tones rapturous, voice
hilarious, with feet dancing and hands clapping. The sages then
implored her to stay on there to receive their adoration eternally.
Overpowered by the sight of their ecstatic joy, she sealed it with
approval She then made this sacred hill as her permanent abode and
lived thenceforward raining compassion in unending torrents and
protecting their life, casting it in a special mould of sublimity,
exuding exemplary geniality and inimitable humility.
The
Mahishasuramardini thus enthroned herself is called by a different
name -Chamundeswari, It has another exhilarating episode connected
with it Varahapurana narrates that there were born once from Sri
Krishna's left eye in Goloka eight Bhairavas.
Ruruvu,
Samhara, Kalu, Asitu, Krodhu, Bheeshana, Mahabhairava and Khatvanyu.
They caused suffering to mankind in several ways. Pitying the
victims, Mother Trikala -a form of Eswar sakthi killed Ruruvu, the
worst of the lot by pealing his skin and slitting mundu-torse with
utmost ease, She was then named Chamundi, So the Devi who slit the
head of Mahishasura was reverentially called Chamundeswari. What
-so-ever be the name, it was Saktiswarupini who killed Mahishasura.
That Mahishasurapura underwent countless changes in shape, size,
splendour during the yugas followed, but the hill enshrining
Chamundeswari is remaining unchanged, rather it is glorified with
sculptural and architectural embellishments by the worshippers, who
were immensely benefited by her munificent boons as rewards for
their devotion.
HISTORICITY
There exists another famous
temple lying to the south, dedicated to Mahabaleswar. It was built
by Hoyasala king Vishnuvardhana in 1128. The Vijayanagar king
beautified both these shrines in 1620, and made endowments enough
for carrying on the regular prayer services. It was during the
regime of Wodeyars, these temples received royal patronage that
metamorphosed them into gigantic structures with additions,
renovations etc. In 1820 Krishna Raja Wodeyar applied his hand -it
was a Midas touch to speak the truth -a tall tower went up piercing
into the sky proclaiming, as it were, his munificence and the new
charm it emitted from the extensions made. Prior to it also many
additions were made by the Wodeyars. During the tenure of Dodda Deva
Raja, building of steps, numbering 1000 was undertaken and was
completed in 1659. The huge 16 foot high Nandi installed on the way
came into being then. His munificence manifested itself in numerous
architectural adornments made him immortal. During the Haidarali's
time, the evil practices of animal sacrifice etc. were stopped. Many
donations in the form of vessels, vahanas, jewels were liberally
given by. both the ruling princes and thriving theists. Archives are
preserving many inscriptions and farmanas recounting in detail all
that was endowed and donated to the temple from time to time and the
date wise record speak! the glory of this hill and the boons granted
to the adorers.
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