Mata Chintpurni Devi Temple

Chintpurni Maa “Chinta” Means"worry", worries act as a slow poison. Mathaa saves her bhaktas (Devotees)from it, giving tonic of life, by fulfilling their desires and hence rightly known as CHINTAPURNI.  The goddess is also known as the home of Chhinnamastila.

Mata Chintpurni Devi Temple is a major pilgrimage center and one of the Shakti Peethas in India. The Chintpurni shakti peeth (Chhinnamastika shakti peeth) is located in Una district Himachal Pradesh State, surrounded by the western Himalaya in the north and east in the smaller Shiwalik (or Shivalik) range bordering the state of Punjab. The Chintpurni Shakti Peeth houses the temple of Chinnamastika Devi or Chinnamasta Devi. Chhinnamasta or Chinnamastika temple is one of the 7 major and 51 total Shakti Peethas.Here, Chhinnamasta is interpreted as the severed-headed one as well as the foreheaded-one.

In the opinion of the Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu cut the  skeleton of Shati in to fifty one pieces with his chakra to stop the wrath of lord Shiva. It is believed that the feet of Sati fell in this place where the temple has been built.

A History of the Shri Chintpurni Devi Temple and Bhakta Mai Das

Pandit Mai Das , a Kalia Saraswat Brahman, is generally believed to have established this shrine to Mata Chintpurni Devi in Chhaproh village twenty-six generations ago. Over time this village became known as Chintpurni after the eponymous deity. His descendants still live in Chintpurni and perform archana and puja at the Chintpurni temple.

According to the Kalia family lore, Bhakta Mai Das's father lived in Athoor village in the princely state of Patiala. He was an ardent devotee of Goddess Durga. He had three sons called Devi Das, Durga Das and Mai Das. The youngest one was Mai Das. For various reasons, the family moved to village Rapoh Muchalian, near Amb (now in District Una, Himachal Pradesh). Just like his father, Mai Das was an intense devotee of goddess Durga and spent much of his time in Durga puja, bhajan and kirtan. His brothers were not too happy with him as Mai Das did not spend much time on affairs of this world. However his father made sure that his worldly needs were met.

Mai Das had got married when his father was still alive. After the father died, the brothers refused to provide any financial support to him. They told him to look after himself and his immediate family. Mai Das had to face many difficulties after he separated from his brothers. However his faith and devotion to Mother Durga remained steadfast as he sincerely believed that Durgaji removes all difficulties for her devotees.

Once Bhakta Mai Das was travelling to the village of his in-laws. After a long and tiring walk, he sat down to rest under a Vat tree (banyan tree, Ficus Bengalensis) in a densely forested area. He dozed off and started dreaming. A luminous and beautiful young girl appeared in his dream and said to him, " Mai Das, stay in this place and serve me. That will be best for you." Mai Das woke up with a start and looked around. He could not see any other person nearby and felt quite confused.

Bhakta Mai Das continued on to his in-laws' house. He was still thinking about his dream. Was that really the Devi? If so, how would he carry out the Devi's command? He arrived at the in-laws' house but did not stay there for long as his mind was quite unsettled.

On his way back, he sat down under the same Vat tree and began to concentrate his thoughts on Durga Mata. He prayed, "O Mother, I have but a small mind and cannot comprehend your powers. If you consider me a true devotee, please manifest yourself and allay my doubts". Upon hearing Mai Das's prayer, Durga Mata manifested herself in her luminous Chaturbhuj form sitting astride a lion. Mai Das fell to the Devi's feet and prayed, "O Bhagavati, do command me. How may I serve you that my life be best spent at your lotus feet?"

Durga Mata said, "I have been living at this very place for many, many years but in the Kali Yug people had neglected this spot. I will now appear under this tree in the form of a pindi (a round stone). Ensure that puja is performed here every day regularly."

Mai Das was still somewhat reluctant to live there as panthers and other wild animals abounded in the dense forest. Also as that spot was on a hill-top, there was no known source of water nearby. Durga Mata pointed to a place on the northern slope of the hill and told him to dig out a stone under which he would find a spring of fresh water.

She gave him a mantra - Namaskar mantra, so that he would have no fear.

"Om em kleem hreem shri bhayanaashini hoon hoon phat Swaha" 

 She also gave him the Mool Mantra 

"om em hreem kleem ChamunDaay Vichchayah".

She said, "In the past I have been known as Chhinnamastika. From now on people will also call me Chintapurni as I have removed all your doubts and worries. My devotees will arrange to have a temple built here. Whatever offerings are made should be sufficient for you and your descendants. " The Goddess gave him a few other instructions and disappeared.

Mai Das went to the spot to which Devi had pointed and looked for water. His joy knew no bounds when he removed the stone and a stream of crystal clear and sweet water gushed forth.

A water tank was built there subsequently. Water from this tank is reserved for the use of the Temple.

Bhakta Mai Das built a small hut for himself near the water tank and began regular worship of the Devi's pindi at the hill-top. After a few years devotees built a small temple which has gradually been expanded.

Twenty six generations later, his descendants continue to offer worship to Shri Chintpurni Devi. The forest cover has diminished considerably. Descendants of Pandit Mai Dass form a majority of the inhabitants of Chintpurni village. Although the village is still called Chhaproh in government land records, it is generally known as Chintpurni after the Devi who resides there.

Tales about the miraculous powers of the Devi have spread far and wide. Thousand of devotees visit the temple every year and particularly so during the Navaratras in Shravan (July - August), Ashvin (September - October) and Chaitra (March-April). Sankranti, Purnima and Ashtami are the other popular days.

जय माता दी !

Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple

Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple - Toe Print of Lord Shiva

The Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple (Devanagari: अचलेश्वर महादेव मन्दिर, Acaleśavara Mahādeva Mandir) is a Shiva temple situated just outside the Achalgarh Fort, located in the Abu Road tehsil of Sirohi district, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. The temple is believed to have been constructed sometime in the 9th century AD, and by the Paramara dynasty, which is also credited with having constructed the original structure of the Achalgarh Fort, later reconstructed, renovated and named as Achalgarh by Maharana Kumbha in 1452 CE.

The word 'Achaleshwar' is a word displaying Sanskritic sandhi and is derived from the Sanskrit words 'Achal' meaning immovable, and 'Ishwar' meaning 'God', while the word 'Mahadeva', again formed by the rules of sandhi, means the great (maha) god (deva), and is an epithet of Shiva, the deity to whom the temple is dedicated.

According to local legend, the temple is built around a toe print of Shiva. Shiva is worshipped, like at most Shiva temples, in the form of a Shiva linga, a phallus shaped structure representing Shiva and the power of creation, seated on top of a yoni, an abstract representation of Shakti. The shiva linga at this temple is a naturally occurring stone structure.

The temple stands in the centre of an enclosure on the southern side of the Agnikund, wherein there are several small shrines dedicated to Shiva's mount, Nandi.[1] Of particular interest and importance is a four tonne statue of Nandi made of panchadhatu, the alloy used for making idols, which is composed of five metals – gold, silver, copper, brass and zinc. According to a popular local legend, the statue of Nandi is credited with protecting the temple from an attack of Muslim invaders by releasing innumerable bumble bees onto the attackers thereby saving the temple from destruction. The temple also has several other idols, sculpted from sphatik, a quartz stone, which appears opaque in natural light but becomes crystal-like translucent when a light is held against it.

Within the temple is a pit which is believed by the locals to be a doorway to Naraka, the netherworld. Close to the temple is a pond with three large stone buffalo statues. These buffaloes are believed to be representative of demons who, according to legend, flocked to the watering hole, which was said to be filled with ghee, until they were shot dead by the king, Raja Adi Pal.

ॐ नमः शिवाय

Auspiciousness of Shravan/Sawan Month

Auspiciousness of Shravan/Sawan Month (10July - 7 August 2017)

The month of Shravan is considered very auspicious for worshipping Lord Shiva. It is holiest months in Hindu Calendar. Each day of Sawan is regarded as very pious. Special prayers and rituals are performed in Shiva temples. It is believed that the worship of Shiva during Shrawan month is 108 times more powerful than worshipping during normal days. It is believed that those who observe Sawan Somwar vrat will have their desires fulfilled and will have all their prayers answered by the Shiva.

According to the Mythology, the "Samudra Manthan" or churning of oceans took place in the month of Shravan. During the churning of the ocean , the deadly poison came out, and was consumed by Lord Shiva which he stored in his throat, subsequently turning his throat blue, and hence Shiva is attributed to the name Neelkantha. To reduce the poison's impact, Shiva wore the crescent moon on his head. To lessen the effect of the poison the Gods and Devas started offering the water from the Holy Ganges to Lord Shiva. Thence forth performing Abhishek on Shivalingam with gangajal became a ritual.

Shravan month is very auspicious and sacred too. Pooja, aradhna, mantra siddhi and other spiritual practices if done properly then no doubt devotee will achieve success . Wear Rudraksh, and also use a Rudraksh mala for Japa. Offer Bhibhuti to Shiva and apply some on your forehead. Make offerings of Bilva leaves, panchamrit (milk, yoghurt, clarified butter, honey and jaggery) on Shivalingam. Recite Shiva Chalisa and do Aarti. Chant Shiva Panchakshri mantra & Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra to get the blessings of Bholenath!

( P.S. - Ellora Cave, Kailash Temple, Maharashtra, India)

 Jai Neelkantha Mahadev 

ॐ नमः शिवाय

Tanah Lot Temple, in Tabanan, Bali,.

Tanah Lot Temple, in Tabanan, Bali

This Temple Sit Atop A Rock In The Ocean Tanah Lot Temple, in Tabanan, Bali, is one of the most significant landmarks of the country owing to its dramatic location in the ocean and beautiful sunset backdrops it provides to tourists.

This ancient Hindu temple is dedicated to the guardian spirits of the sea and sits atop a huge rock in the sea. At high tide, the walkway gets submerged in water and the incoming waves can get pretty ferocious.

The rock on which it sits is continuously being shaped by ocean tides over the years. Tanah Lot means 'Sea Temple of the Earth' in local language. The area surrounding this temple is highly commercialized and people are required to pay to enter the area.

Tourists enjoy the sunset from the park opposite the temple, its oddly shaped rock silhouetted against the crimson colour of the dusk.

It is one of the 7 temples on the south coast of Bali, paying homage to the guardian spirits of the sea.

According to the legend, venomous sea snakes are believed to guard the temple from evil spirits and intruders

Courtesy: daily.bhaskar.com