The thousand names of Gauri

Parvati or Gauri is the mother of Ganesh and Karthekeye and the wife of Shiva. She is variously described in the Puranas as a sister of Vishnu and indeed it is a fact that Vishnu gave her away in marriage to Shiva.   
Parvati was the second wife of Shiva who was first married to Daksha’s daughter Sati. When Sati died, she was reborn as Parvati.
Parvati was the daughter of  Himalaya and his wife Mena also known as Menaka.  

Himalaya and Mena pray to the Gods so that they might have Parvati as their daughter. Himalaya recites one thousand and eight names of the goddess when he prays for her to be born as his daughter.

Thus, the Lalitha Sahssara Nama is nothing but a celebration of a thousand and eight names of Parvati or Lalitha. The names are classified in groups of ten and given number clusters. The names are as follows:

Let us start with Shiva as he is the husband of  Uma or Parvati.  

(1) Shiva, Uma, Paramashakti, Ananta, Nishkala, Amala, Shanta, Maheshvari, Nitya, Shashvati.

(2) Paramakshara, Achintya, Kevala, Shivatma, Paramatma, Anadi, Avyaya, Shuddha, Devatma, Sarvaga,

(3) Achala, Eka, Anekavibhagastha, Mayatita, Sunirmala, Mahamaheshvari, Satya, Mahadevi, Niranjana, Kashtha.

(4) Sarvantarastha, Chitshakti, Atilalasa, Nanda, Sarvvatmika, Vidya, Jyotirupa Amrita, Akshara, Shanti.

(5) Sarvvapratishtha, Nivritti, Amritaprada. Vyomamurti, Vyomalaya, Vyomadhara, Achyuta, Amara, Andinidhana, Amogha.

(6) Karanatma, Kalakula, Svatahprathamaja, Amritanabhi, Atmasamshraya, Praneshvarapriya, Mata, Mahamahishaghatini, Pranarupa, Pradhana-Purusheshvari.

(7) Sarvvashakti, Kalakara, Jyotsna, Sarvvakaryaniyantri, Sarvvabhuteshvari, Samsarayoni, Sakala, Sarvvashaktisamudbhava, Samsarapota, Durvara.

(8) Durnirikshya, Durasada, Pranashakti, Pranavidya, Yogini, Paramakala, Mahavibhuti, Durddharsha, Mulaprakritidsambhava.

(9) Anadyanantavitava, Paramaghapakarshini, Svargasthityan Tarakarani, Sudurvvachya, Duratyaya, Shabdayoni, Shabdamayi, Nadakhya, Nadvigraha, Anadi.

(10) Avyaktaguna, Mahanada, Sanatani, Akashayoni, Yogastha, Mahayogeshvareshvari, Mahamaya, Sudushpara, Mulaprakriti, Ishvari.

(11) Pradhanapurushatita, Pradhanapurushatmika, Purana, Chinmayi, Adipurusharupini, Bhutantavastha, Kutastha, Mahapurushasamjnita, Janmamrityujaratita, Sarvvashaktisamanvita.

(12) Vyapini, Anavachhinna, Pradhananu-Praveshinin, Kshetrajnashakti, Avyaktalakshana, Malavarjjita, Anadimayasambinna, Prakritigraha, Mahamayasamutpanna, Tamasi.

(13) Pourushi, Dheuva, Vyaktatmika, Krishna, Avyaktatmika, Rrakta, Shukla, Prasutika, Akarya, Karyajanani.

(14) Nityaprasavadharmini, Sargapralayanirmukta, Srishtisthityantadharmini, Brahmagarbha, Chaturvimsha, Padmanabha, Achyutatmika, Vaidyuti, Shashvati, Youni.

(15) Jaganmata, Ishvarapriya, Sarvvadhara, Maharupa, Sarvvaisharyasamannita, Vishvarupa, Mahagarbha, Vishveshechhanuvartini, Mahlyasi, Brahmayoni.

(16) Mahalakshmisamudbhava, Mahavimana-Madhyastha, Mahanidra, Atmahetuka, Sarvva-Sadharani, Sukshma, Avidya, Paramarthiki, Anantarupa, Anantastha.

(17) Purushamohini, Devi, Anekakarasamsthana, Kalatrayavivarjita, Brahmajanma, Harimurti, Brahmakhya, Brahmavishnu-Shivatmika, Brahmeshavishnujanani, Brahmasamshraya.

(18) Vyakta, Prathamaja, Brahmi, Mahati, Brahmarupini. Vairagyaishvaryadharmatma. Brahmamurti, Hridisthita, Apamyoni, Svayambhuti.

(19) Manasi, Tattvasambhava, Ishvarani, Sarvvani, Shankararddhasharirini, Bhavani, Rudrani, Mahalakshmi, Ambika, Maheshvara-Samutpanna.

(20) Bhuktimuktifalaprada, Sarvveshvari, Sarvvavandya, Nitamuditamanasa, Brahmendro-Pendranmita, Shankarechhanuvartini, Ishvararddhasanagata, Maheshvarapativrata, Sakridvibhata, Sarvvartisamudraparishoshini.

21) Parvati, Himavatputri, Paramanadadyini, Gunadhya, Yogaja, Yogya, Jnanamurti, Vikashini, Savitri, Kamala.

(22) Lakshmi, Shri, Anantavakshahsthalasthita, Sarojanilaya, Ganga, Yoganidra, Asurardini Sarasvati, Sarvvavidya, Jagajjveyashtha.

(23) Sumangala, Vagdevi Varada, Avachya Kirti, Sarvvarthasadhika, Yogishvari, Brahmavidya, Mahavidya, Sushobhana.

(24) Guhyavidya, Atmavidya, Dharmavidya,Atmabhavita, Svaha, Vishvambhara, Siddhi, Svadha, Medha, Dhriti.

(25) Shruti, Niti, Suniti, Sukriti, Madhavi, Naravahini, Pujya, Vibhavati, Soumya, Bhogini.

(26) Bhogashayini, Shobha, Vamshakari, Lola, Manini, Parameshthini, Trailokyasundari, Ramya, Sundari, Kamacharini.

(27) Mahanubhava, Sattvastha, Mahamahisha-Mardini, Padmamala, Papahara, Vichitramukutangada, Kanta, Chitrambaradhara, Divyabharana-Bhushita.

(28) Hamsakhya, Vyomanilaya, Jagasrishtivivarddhini, Niyantri, Yantramadhyastha, Nandini, Bhadrakalika, Adityavarna, Koumari.

(29) Mayuravaravahana, Vrishasanagata, Gouri, Mahakali, Surarchita, Aditi, Niyata, Roudri, Padmagarbhavivahana.

(30) Virupakshi, Lelihana, Mahasuravinashini, Mahafala, Anavadyangi, Kamarupa, Vibhavari, Koushiki, Vichitraratnamukuta, Pranatarti-Prabhanjani.

(31) Karshani, Ratri, Tridashartivinashini, Vahurupa, Virupa, Surupa, Rupavarjita, Bhaktartishamani, Bhavya, Bhavatapavinashini.

(32) Nirguna, Nityavibhava, Nihsara, Nirapatrapa, Tapasvini, Samagiti, Bhavankanilayalaya, Diksha, Vidyadhari, Dipta.

(33) Manendrarinipatini, Sarvvatishayini, Vidya, Sarvvasiddhipradyini, Sarvveshvarapriya, Tarkshi, Samudrantaravasini, Akalanka, Niradhara.

(34) Nityashiddha, Niramaya, Kamadhenu, Vrihadgarbha, Dhimati, Mohanashini, Nihsankalpa, Niratanka, Vinaya.

(35) Vinayapriya, Jvalamalasahasradhya, Devadevi, Manomayi, Mahabhagavati, Bhaga, Vasudevasamudbhava, Mahendrapendrabhagini.

(36) Bhaktigamya, Paravara, Jnanajneya,Jaratita, Vedantavishaya, Gati, Dakshina, Dahana, Danta, Sarvvabhutanamaskrita.

(37) Yoganmaya, Vibhagajna, Mahamoha, Gariyasi, Sandhya, Brahmavidyashraya, Vijankurasamudhbuti, Mahashakti, Mahamati, Kshanti.

(38) Prajna, Chiti, Samvit, Mahabhogindra-Shayini, Vikriti, Shankari, Shanti, Ganagandharvasevita, Vaishvanari, Mahashala.

(39) Devasena, Guhapriya, Maharatri, Shivananda, Shachi, Duhsvapnanashini, Ijya, Pujya, Jagaddhatri, Durvineya.

(40) Surpini, Guhalvika, Gunotpatti, Mahapitha, Marutsuta, Havyavahantaragadi, Havyavahasa-Mudhbhava, Jagadyoni, Jaganmata, Janmamrityujaratiga.

(41) Vuddhi, Mahavuddhimati, Purushantaravasini, Tarasvini, Samadhistha, Trinetra, Divisamsthita, Sarvvendriyamanomata, Sarvvabhutahridisthita, Samsaratarini.

(42) Sattvashuddhikari, Shuddhi, Malatrayavinashini, Jagatpriya, Jaganmurti, Trimurti, Amritashraya, Nirashraya, Nirahara, Nirankushapododbhava.

(43) Surupa, Bhavini, Harini, Prabha, Unmilani, Sarvasaha, Sarvvapratyayasakshini, Susoumya, Chandravadana, Tandavasaktamanasa.

(44) Sativashuddhikari, Shuddhi, Malatrayavinashini, Jagatpriya, Jaganmurti, Trimurti, Amritashya, Nirashraya, Nirahara, Nirankushapadodbhava.

(45) Chakrahasta, Viochitrangi, Sragvini, Padmadharini, Paravaravidhanajna, Mahapuushapurvaja, Vishveshvarapriya, Vidyut, Vidyujjihva, Jitashrama.

(46) Vidyamayi, Sahaasrakshi, Sahasravadanatmaja, Sahasrarashmi, Sattvastha, Maheshvarapadashraya, Kshalini, Mrinmayi, Vyapta, Padmavodhika.

(47) Taijasi, Mahamayashraya, Manya, Mahadevamanorama, Vyomalakshmi, Simharatha, Chekitana, Amitaprabha, Vireshvari, Vimanastha.

(47) Taijasi, Mahamayashraya, Manya, Mahadevamanorama, Vyomalakshmi, Simharatha, Chekitana, Amitaprabha, Vireshvari, Vimanastha.

(48) Vishoka, Shokanashini, Anahata, Kundalini, Nalini, Padmabhasini, Sadananda, Sadakriti, Vagdevata, Sarvvabhutashrayasthita.

(49) Brahmakala, Vishnushivagraja, Paragati, Kshobhika, Bandhika, Bhedya, Bhedabhedavivarjita, Kalalita, Kalarani.

(50) Brahmashri, Brahmahridaya, Vyomashakti, Kriyashakti, Jamashakti, Abhinna, Bhinnasamsthana, Vashini, Vamshakarini, Guhyashakti.
(51) Gunatita, Sarvada, Sarvatomukhi, Bhagini, Bhagavatpatni, Sakala, Kalakarini, Sarvvavit, Sarvvatobhadra.

(52) Guhyatita, Guharani, Prakriya, Yogamata, Ganga, Vishveshareshvari, Kapila, Akapila, Kanta, Kamalabha.

(53) Kalantara, Punya, Pushkarini, Bhoktri, Puranadarapurahsara, Poshani, Paramaishvaryabhutida, Bhutibhushana, Panchabrahmasamutpatti.

(54) Paramarthavigraha, Dharmodaya, Bhanumati, Yogijneya, Manojava, Manorama, Manoraska, Tapasi, Vadarupini, Vedashakti.

(55) Vedamata, Vedavidyaprakashini, Yogeshvareshvari, Mata, Mahashakti, Manomayi, , Viyanmurti, Vidyunmala, Vihayasi.

(56) Kinnari, Surabhi, Vidya, Nandini, Nandivallabha, Bharati, Paramananda, Paraparavibhedika, Sarvvapraharanopeta, Kamya.

(57) Kameshvareshvari, Achintya, Anantavibhava, Bhulekha, Kanakaprabha, Kushmandi, Dhanaratnadhya, Sugandha, Gandhadayini, Trivikramapadodbhuta.

(58) Dhanushpani, Shivodaya, Sudurlabla, Dhanadhyaksha, Dhanya, Pingalalochana, Shanti, Prabhavati, Dipti, Pankajayatalochana.

(59) Adya, Hritamalodbhuta, Gomata, Ranapriya, Satkriya, Girisha, Shuddhi, Nityapushta, Nirantara, Durga.

(60) Katyayani, Chandi, Charichitanga, Suvigraha, Hiranyavarna, Jagati, Jagadyantrapravartika, Sarada, Mandaradrinivasa, Svarnamalini.

(61) Ratnamala, Ratnagarbha, Pushti, Vishvapramathini, Padmanana, Padmanibha, Nityatushta, Amritodbhava, Dhunvati, Dushprakampa.

(62) Suryamata, Drishadvati, Mahendrabhagini, Soumya, Varenya, Varadayika, Kalyani, Kamalavasa, Panchachuda, Varaprada.

(63) Vachya, Amareshvari, Vandhya, Durjjaya, Duratikrama, Kalaratri, Mahabega, Virabhadrapriya, Hita, Bhadrakali.

(64) Jaganmata, Bhaktamangaladayini, Karala, Pingalakara, Kamabheda, Mahasvana, Yashasvini, Yashoda, Shadadhvaparivartika, Shankhini.

(65) Padmini, Sankhya, Samkhyayogapravartika, Chaitra, Samvatsararuda, Jagatsampurani, Indraja, Shumbhari, Khechari, Khastha.

(66) Kamburgriva, Kalipriya, Khagadhvaja, Khagaruda, Varahi, Pugamalini, Aishvaryapadmanilaya, Virakta, Garudasana, Jayanti.

(67) Hridguhagamya, Shankareshtaganagrani, Samyastha, Sankalpasiddha, Sarvvavijnandayini, Kalikalkavihantrui, Guhyanpanishaduttama, Nishtha, Drishti.

(68) Smriti, Vyapi, Pushti, Tushti, Kriyavati, Vishvamareshvasreshana, Bhukti, Mukti, Shiva, Amrita.

(69) Lohitasarpamala, Bhisani, Naramalini, Anantashayana, Ananta, Naranarayanodbhava, Nrisimhi, Daityamathini, Shankachakragadadhara, Ambika.

(70) Sankarshanasamutpatti, Padasamshrava, Mahajvala, Mahabhuti, Sumurti, Sarvvakamadhuka, Suprabha, Sustani, Souri, Dharmakamarthamokshada.

(71) Bhrumadhyanilaya, Purva, Puranapurusharani, Mahavibhutida, Madhya, Sarojanayana, Sama, Anadya, Nilotpaladalaprabha, Asthadashabhuja.

(72) Sarvvashaktyasanaruda, Dharmadharmavivarjita, Vairagyajnananirata, Niraloka, Nirindriya, Vichitragahanadhara, Shvashvatasthanavasini, Sthaneshvari, Nirananda, Trishulavaradharini.

(73) Asheshadevatamurti, Devatavaradevata, Ganambika, Giriputri, Nishumbhavinipatini, Avarna, Varnarahita, Trivarna, Jivasambhava, Anantavarna.

(74) Ananyastha, Shankari, Shantamanasa, Agotra, Gomati, Goptri, Guhyarupa, Gunottara, Go, Gih.

(75) Govyapriya, Gouni, Ganeshvaranamaskrita, Satyabhama, Satyasandha, Trisandhya, Sandhivarjita, Sarvvavadashraya, Samkhya, Samkhyayogasamudbhava.

(76) Asamkhyeya, Aprameyakhya, Shunya, Suddakulodbhava, Vindunadasamutpatti, Shambhuvasa, Shashiprabha, Pishanga, Bhedarahita, Manojna.

(77) Madhusudani, Mahashri, Shrisamutapatti, Tamohparepratishthita, Tritattvamata, Trividha, Susukshmapadasamshraya, Shantyatita, Malatita, Nirvikara.

(78) Nirashraya, Shivakhya, Chittanilaya, Kashyapi, Shivajnanasvarupini, Daityadanavanirmukhi, Kalakarnika, Shastrayoni, Kriyamurti, Chatruvargapradarshika.

(79) Narayani, Narodbhuti, Koumudi, Lingadharini, Karmuki, Kalita, Bhava, Paravaravibhutida, Vadava, Pararddhajatamahima.

(80) Vamalochana, Subhadra, Devaki, Sita, Manasvini, Vedavedangaparaga, Manyumata, Mahamanyusamundbhava, Amanyu, Amritasvada.

(81) Puruhuta, Purushtuta, Ashouchya, Bhinnavishaya, Hiranyarajatapriya, Hiranyarajani, Haimi, Hemabharanabhushita, Vibhrajamana, Durjneya.

(82) Jyotishtomafalaprada, Mahnidrasamudbhyuti, Anidra, Satyadevata, Dirgha, Kakudmini, Hridya, Shantida, Shantivarddhini, Lakshyadishaktijanani.

(83) Shaktichakrapravartika, Trishaktijanani, Janya, Shadurmiparivarjita, Sudhama, Karmakarani, Yugantadahanatmika, Sankarshini, Jagaddhatri, Kamayoni.

(84) Kiritini, Aindri, Trailokyanamita, Vaishnavi, Parameshvari, Pradyumnadayita, Datri, Yugmadrishti, Trilochana, Madotkata.

(85) Hamsagati, Prachanda, Chandavikrama, Vrishavesha, Vishyanmatra, Vindhyaparvatavasini, Himavanmerunilaya, Kailasagirivasini, Chanurahantritanaya, Nitijna.

(86) Kamarupini, Vedavedya, Vratasnata, Brahmashailanivasini, Virabhadrapraja, Vira, Siddha, Mahakamasamudbhava, Vidyanadharanirakriti.

(87) Apyayani, Haranti, Pavani, Poshani, Kala, Matrika, Manmathodbhuta, Varija, Vahanapriya, Sudha.

(88) Karishini, Vani, Vinavadanatatpara, Sevita, Sevika, Sevya, Garudatmati, Arundhati, Hiranyakshi.

(89) Mrigakshi, Manadayini, Vasuprada, Vasumati, Vasudhara, Vasundhara, Dharadhara, Vararoha, Characharasahsrada, Shrifala.

(90) Shrimati, Shrisha, Shrinivasa, Shivapriya, Shridhari, Shrikari, Kalya, Shridhararddhasharirini, Anantadrishti, Akshudra.

(91) Dhatrisha, Dhanadapriya, Daityasamuhaniyantri, Simhika, Simhavahana, Suvarchala, Sushroni, Sukirti, Chhinnasamshaya, Rasajna.

(92) Rasada, Rama, Lelihana, Amritasrava, Nityodita, Svayamjyotih, Utsuka, Mritajivani, Vajratunda, Vajrajihva.

(93) Mangalya, Mangala, Mala, Nirmala, Malaharini, Gandharvi, Garudi, Chandri, Kambalashvatarapriya, Soudamini.

(94) Janananda, Bhrikutikutilanana, Karnikarakara, Kakshya, Kamsapranapaharini, Yugandhara, Yugavarta, Trisandhya, Harshavardhini, Pratyakshadevata.

(95) Divya, Divyagandhathivasana, Shakrasanagata, Shakri, Sadhya, Charusharasana, Ishta, Vishishta, Shishteshta, Shishtashishtaprapujita.

(96) Shatarupa, Shatavarta, Vinata, Surabhi, Sura, Surendramata, Sudyumna, Sushumna, Suryasamsthita, Samiksha.

(97) Satpratishtha, Nivritti, Jnanaparaga, Dharmashastrarthakushala, Dharmajna, Dharmavahana, Dharmadharmavinirmatri, Dharmikamangalaprada, Dharmamayi, Dharmashakti.

(98) Vidharma, Vishvadharmini, Dharmantara, Dharmamayi, Dharmapurva, Dhanavaha, Dharmopadeshtri, Dharmaksha, Dharmagamya, Dharadhara.

(100) Mahadevaikasakshini, Sadashiva, Vishaynmurti, Vedamurti, Amurtika, Parameshvari, Shobha, Vishala, Prasannavadana, Hrishtatma.

Some of the names have been repeated and a few names appear to be missing. These names are contained in the Kurma Purana too

Vishnu and Kurma Purana

The Kurma Purana is one of the most important religious texts in Hinduism.

What makes this Purana unique is that Vishnu himself is the narrator. It mentions the origin of universe, the birth of a Brahamana and the incarnation of Vishnu.

Vishnu, in his Kurma Avatar (tortoise), had first preached this Purana to Sage Narada who then conveyed this to others. The first sage to receive details of this Purana was Sutji who in turn narrated it to other sages.

The Purana has details on almost all facets of life and philosophy. When it was narrated by Vishnu, it had four Samhitis or parts- Bramha Samhita, Bhagawati Samhita, Gauri Samhita and Vaishnavi Samhita. Unfortunately, except the Brahma or Brahmi Samhita none of the other three samhitas are available. As of nowm this Purana comprises of 18,000 slokas contained in 99 chapters.

The Brahma Samhitha can again be divided into parts-Purva and Uttara bhags. The Purva contains 53 chapters and the Uttara 46.

The Purana commences with the glory of Vishnu and talks of his  incarnation as Kurma and in the Maya form of Lakshmi.

The section on Purva deals with aspects as varied as the story of  Indradyumna, Kurma Purana itself, descriptions of Varnashram and sequence of these ashramas, origin of geo-sphere, description of various incarnations, preaching of the gods, the four yugas, Manu, destruction of Daksh’s yagya, Narasimha killing Hiranyakashipu, Vamana, Rama and Krishna  avatara , the Ikshvaku clan and Pururava clans and surprisingly Varanasi, Prayag and Yamuna and their holiness and linga.

The Uttara consists of daily rituals, duties of a celibate, drinking wine and how to expiate it, holiness of different pilgrim centres, appearance of Rudra avatara, metaphysics, eating edible and non-edible articles, dining and duties of a person in Vanaprastha.

This Purana gives us details about types of fasting to be done in case of committing sin. Each sin can be overcome by a particular fasting.  

Most of the Puranas mention the different avatars of Vishnu. It is only the Kurma Purana that mentions the different avatars of Shiva.

The different avatars of Shiva are as follows: Shveta,  Sutara, Madana, Suhotra, Kankana, Lokakshi, Jaigishavya,  Dadhivaha,

Rishabha, Bhrigu, Ugra, Atri, Vali, Goutama, Vedashirsha, Gokarna, Shikhandaka, Jatamali, Attahasa, Daruka, Langali, Mahavama, Muni, Shuli, Pindamunishvara, Sahishnu, Somasharma and Nakulishvara

A broom to a deity

India is a land of temples and almost each temple has its own unique customs and traditions, Many of these customs have been handed down from generations and they have become the unique selling points (USPs) of these temples.

But what would you say if I told you that there is a temple in India where brooms are offered to the presiding deity. Incredible but true.

Read on………………..

Brooms are among the lowliest of  articles in any household irrespective of the language, religion , caste or class. Brooms are generally kept in a closet or in a place away from the main rooms of the house. This is because the brooms have a very low value and they are not considered to be auspicious.

In Hindu households, people wash their hands after touching the brooms. But what would you say to a Shiva Temple in north India where the devotees offer brooms.

This temple is in Sadatbadi village near Bajol in Moradabad district of Uttar Pradesh. The Shiva here is called Patakeshwar and every Monday, thousands of devotes throng the temple and offer brooms as offering to the God of Destruction.

The Pataleshwar Temple, as it is more popularly known, is located just six kilometers from Bajol on the Morabadab-Agra highway. The brooms are offered by those who have skin diseases and those who are cured of it. The devotes strongly believe that the Maheshwar (Shiva) has swept away the disease and, hence, the unusual offering.  

When devotes visit the temple, they pray to Maheshwar and take a vow to offer a broom if their skin disease is cured. The broom is given when the diseases disappears. Another belief is that if a broom if offered, Maheshwara will lessen the suffering of the devotee.  

By the way, there are no new brooms in circulation. The brooms offered to the god are always in circulation at the temple. Once offered with faith and devotion, the brooms are sold by the temple authorities to the shopkeepers sitting outside the complex. These shopkeepers once again sell the brooms back to the devotees. The cycle thus goes on.

This temple attracts attention not just for its unique offering but also for the peculiar belief attached to it. People say that offering brooms will ease suffering.

Since Monday is considered auspicious for Shiva, devotes throng in thousands from nay districts of Uttar Pradesh and even Bihar. The temple is more than a century old-it was built in 1902- and this is the only place in the world where brooms are offered. By the way, do not be deceived by this unusual offering. The rituals performed here are the same as at other Shiva temples.

The temple that devotees fear to pray

Shiva is one of the famed trinity of Hindu Gods, the other two being Vishnu and Brahma. If Brahma is the creator, Vishnu is the giver and Shiva the destroyer.

Though there are thousands of temples to Shiva and Vishnu, there are only a handful of temple to Brahma. If Madhwas and Iyengars  flock to Vishnu temples, Smarthas, Iyers and Lingayats believe in the supremacy of  Shiva.

But did you know that people of all faiths and even locals of Bithoor fear to come and worship at a temple in Bithoor. This is the Shiva temple located amidst thick vegetation.  

Bithoor, near Kanpur, which is located on the bank of the Ganges has temples dedicated to all the three-Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva or Maheshwara. A horse shoe is worshipped in a small temple at the Brahma Ghat in Bithoor. This horse shoe is believed to have been left behind by the horse that Brahma rode when he performed Ashwamedha Yagna here.

There are also temples to Vishnu and Shiva here.

People of all faiths come to Bithoor. Among Hindus, almost all classes of people make a bee line to bathe in the holy Ganga and then pray to the Gods who are consecrated in the many ghats that ring Bithoor.

But what is surprising is that people from all the sub castes be it Madhwas, Iyengars, Smarthas, Lingayats or any other denominations tale care to avoid the Shiva Temple that is located behind the Dhruva Teel.

Dhruva Teel is the exact spot where Dhruva meditated. It is marked by a small water pond. Just behind this is a temple dedicated to Shiva.

This temple is given a miss by almost all pilgrims and even by locals. The temple is called Shiva Sadhana. There is a Linga in the ancient temple.

The Shiva Sadhana Temple is on a small hillock that is about 120 feet high. The single tower structure dominates the surroundings for miles.

The structure was damaged but the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has taken up its repair  along with two other structures- Tikait Rai Baradari and the Rajmahal.

Both these structures long with the Shiva Temple are believed to be more than two centuries old. Of all the three, the Shiva Temple has an interesting tale.

The temple always presents a deserted sight and the doors are generally closed. This is because there are only a handful of visitors and even lesser number of devotes. There is a strange reason for this phenomenon.

The locals of Bithoor and the priest of the temple says that if a man or woman come and worships the Linga or prays here, he or she has to continue doing it for a month. Thus, the pooja has to be done for a longer duration.

The locals arn that of this practice is not followed or adhered to, the person and his or her family will suffer. There has been many incidents when harm has come to the family of a person who disregarded this legend and never came back to worship the linga here, says the priest.

Another reason why the temple is not visited is because of its location. The path behind the Dhruva Teel is tough to negotiate. There is dense vegetation and a hill to negotiate along with a drain before you can reach the temple. All said and done, the fact is that devotees, even Shaivaites, fear to visit and pray at the temple.    

Bithoor is near Kanpur in the State of Uttar Pradesh and it is approachable by road and rail. Stay back at Kanpur and take a taxi or autorickshaw to Bithoor.  

The leaning temples of India

Who has not heard of the leaning tower of Pisa. Thousands and thousands of  Indian tourists have made their way to Italy to enjoy the leaning tower. But do they realise that India too has several leaning structures and they are all temples.

If  the tower of Pisa is the only leaning structure in the Italian town of the same name, here the main temple leans to one side and smaller temples around it lean the other side.

These temples are leaning even today but it has not been established whether it is due to design or default. All that the experts acknowledge is that these are the only leaning temples in and of India.

These are the temples of Huma and it is not only the only such structure in India but perhaps the only leaning temples in the world. The main temple is  dedicated to Shiva and there are several smaller tempels around it. It is located in Huma, a village situated on the banks of the Mahanadi, 23 kilometres from Sambalpur in Orissa.

Though the edifice of the temple leans, the pinnacle is perpendicular. The temple is ascribed to the Ganga Emperor Anangabhima Deva, the third. It was later renovated by Balbir Singh during his reign (1660-1690), the fifth Chauhan Emperor of  Sambalpur.

There are other temples like Bhairavi Devi and Bhairo Devi around the Shiva Temple and these built by King Ajit Singh (1766-1788) of Sambalpur.

The leaning temple is built on a rock and though it is near the Mahanadi the soil is not weak or sandy. Therefore, it cannot be said that the foundation of the Shiva Temple which has a Linga called Vimaleshwar or Bimaleshwar is weak or stands on an unstable bedrock.

Experts feel that there is a slight shift in the plinth of the structure and this might have caused the edifice of the Shiva Temple to lean in a particular direction.

The other small temples around the Shiva temples are tilted in   other directions. In fact, you can see everything in the temple complex is tilted or slanted, whether it is the temple structure or boundaries.  The Jagannath Temple, Aruna Stambha, the Kapileswar Temple built later also lean to one side

Unlike the Pisa tower, the angle of inclination here has remained stable for several decades.

The Vimaleshwar Temple has an interesting legend. It is believed that Anangabhima Deva was suffering from tuberculosis. He was asked by Shiva to build a temple.
He then walked along the Mahanadi and reached Huma where he came across a  leaning  Linga. The King then decided to build a temple and also arranged for the regular worship of the deity.

Another legend is that the temple was built by Lord Viswakarma. It is also believed that a major portion of the Linga lies hidden under the earth.

Geologists say there has been a small shift at the foundation level and this has led to the temple structures being inclined at an angle.

However, the angle is yet to be measured.

There is a special type of fish found in the river near here known as Kudo. They are so tame that they will eat food from your hands. These fishes, which are red in colour, will eat sweets and other foods from the hands of those who bathe close to the temple.

During auspicious days and on festivals, they are called by their names and given the prasad of  Shiva and other Gods. You cannot catch them as they are believed to be the servants of Gods. Want to see and feed them. Try it. Head for this small temple town. It is just 23 kms from Sambalpur.

You can stay at Sambalpur. This city is well connected by road and rail.

The Kalyana Mantapa where Shiva married Parvathi

There are scores of marriage halls or kalyana mantapas all over India where all kinds of marriage takes place. Each marriage is an event where two people come together for life. ‘However, there is one kalyana mantapa, perhaps the only one in India, where a God married a Goddess.

The kalyana mantapa exists today but over centuries the structure has transformed itself into a temple where the deities are those very Gods who got married.

This place is Sogal, which is a very beautiful picnic spot in Belgaum district of Karnataka. Sogal is about 75 kms from Belgaum, its district headquarters and 25 kms from Bailongal, a big town in Belgaum district.

It is at the top of the beautiful hill that Shiva wooed and married Parvathi. The place where their marriage took place was a Kalyana Mantapa. It remained so for thousands of  years before the Rashtrakutas came on the scene.

The Rashtrakutas made Manyakheta or Malkhed their capital. Manyakheta is today in Gulbarga district and it is holy to Madhwas as it has the Brindavan of Teekachar or Jaya Theertha and fifteen other Madhwa saints.   

The Rashkrakutas built temples all over their Kingdom and since Belgaum and of course Sogal too came under them, there are Rashkrakuta structures here too.

The Someshwara Temple on the top of the magnificent hill here is the very place where Shiva married Parvathi.  It was during the Rashkrakuta period that this structure was enlarged and the temple they built came to known as Someshwara Temple.

The Someshwara Temple is a landmark structure here and the temple still has an old statue of  Panchanana Shiva and Parvathi.

Shiva has a basinga and other ornaments that is worn during a wedding on his person.

The astadikpalakas surround the divine couple. There are carvings of other Gods such as Indra, Agni, Yama and Ishanya.

The place was known for religious activities during the ancient ages. There is local legend that says even tigers came here and stopped by to listen to the religious discourse and preachings.

Sogal is believed to have got its name from Sugola Rishi, who lived in the area.

There is a ruined fort to the east of the hill. This place is popularly known as Kadambarayan Kote-a reminder to the Kadamba Kings who once ruled the region before the Rashtrakutas. Nearby is the temple is the Ajjappana and a stone shrine to the Sun and Moon Gods.

Sogal is now a popular tourist destination and it offers a lot of adventure sports. The Sogal falls is breathtaking as is the climb to the top of the hill.

The eighty four Mahadevas

One of the holist cities in the world, Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh is home to the Dakshina Jyotirlinga. A city of myths, legends, temples and idols, Ujjain is has a hoary past going back to the times of the Mahabharata and Puranas.

This is also the place where Krishna studied. This is also the place where Shiva came to the Sandipani ashram and requested hi to reveal the secret of the Bagavth Geetha to mankind. Krishna did so, many years later, at Kurukshetra, when the war between the Pandavas and Kauravas was about to begin.

The Jyotirlinga in the Mahakal Temple is one of its kind as the linga, unlike others, faces south. It  is a landmark structure and one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. 

The Skand Purana says Ujjain is the place where  84 Mahadevas exist. Apart from these 84 Mahadevas, there are  64 Yoginis, eight Bhairavas and six Vinayaks (Ganesh).

Of the 84 Mahadeva (Shiva) or Chaurasi of Ujjaian, four are the Dwarapalakas (guards)  of the Mahakal Temple. The four representing the four directions are  Pingaleshwara (East), Kayavarohaneshwara (South), Vilveshwara (West) and Dardareshwara (North).

The other Chaurasis are:
Agasteshwara Mahadeva
Gurihashwara Mahadeva
Dudeshwara Mahadeva
Damarukeshwara Mahadeva
Anadikalpeshwara Mahadeva
Swarnajaleshwara Mahadeva
Trivishtapeshwara Mahadeva
Kapaleshwara Mahadeva
Swargadareshwara Mahadeva
Karkoteshwara Mahadeva
Siddheshwara Mahadeva
Lokapaleshwara Mahadeva
Kameshwara Mahadeva
Kutumbeshwara Mahadeva
Indradhamneshwara Mahadeva
Ishaneshwara Mahadeva
Apsareshwara Mahadeva
Kalakaleshwara Mahadeva
Nagachandreshwara Mahadeva
Pratihareshwara Mahadeva
Kukkuteshwara Mahadeva
Karkateshwara Mahadeva
Meghanadeshwara Mahadeva
Mahalayeshwara Mahadeva
Mukteshwara Mahadeva
Someshwara Mahadeva
Anarkeshwara Mahadeva
Jateshwara Mahadeva
Rameshwara Mahadeva
Chyavaneshwara Mahadeva
Khandeshwara Mahadeva
Pantaneshwara Mahadeva
Anandeshwara Mahadeva
Kandhadeshwara Mahadeva
Indreshwara Mahadeva
Markandeshwara Mahadeva
Shiveshwara Mahadeva
Kusumeshwara Mahadeva
Akrureshwara Mahadeva
Kundeshwara Mahadeva
Lumpeshwara Mahadeva
Gangeshwara Mahadeva
Angarakeshwara Mahadeva
Uttareshwara Mahadeva
Trilochaneshwara Mahadeva
Vireshwara Mahadeva
Nripareshwara Mahadeva
Abhayeshwara Mahadeva
Prithukeshwara Mahadeva
Sthawareshwara Mahadeva
Shuleshwara Mahadeva
Onkareshwara Mahadeva
Vishvareshwara Mahadeva
Kantheshwara Mahadeva
Singheshwara Mahadeva
Revanteshwara Mahadeva
Ghanteshwara Mahadeva
Prayageshwara Mahadeva
Shrisiddheshwara Mahadeva
Matangeshwara Mahadeva
Saubhageshwara Mahadeva
Rupeshwara Mahadeva
Sahastradhanukareshwara Mahadeva
Pashupateshwara Mahadeva
Brahmeshwara Mahadeva
Jalapeshwara Mahadeva
Kedareshwara Mahadeva
Pishachamukteshwara Mahadeva
Sangameshwara Mahadeva
Duddhareshwara Mahadeva
Yageshwara Mahadeva
Chandradityeshwara Mahadeva
Karabheshwara Mahadeva
Rajasthaleshwara Mahadeva
Badaleashwara Mahadeva
Aruneshwara Mahadeva
Pushpadanteshwara Mahadeva
Abhimukteshwara Mahadeva
Hanumanteshwara Mahadeva
Shriswapneshwara Mahadeva
Pingaleshwara Mahadeva
Kayavarihaneshwara Mahadeva
Bilkeshwara Mahadeva
Durdureshwara Mahadeva.

The Linga that Shiva himself consecrated

Lakhs and lakhs of people come to view the Taj Mahal. After the Taj, they make a hurried visit to the Red Fort before either going back to Delhi where a majority of visitors come from or to other places such as Fathepur Sikri, Mathura, Brindavan and Gokul, all places associated with Krishna.
Last year, more than three million visitors poured into Agra to see the Taj. But only a very small percentage of them, perhaps less than a few thousands, realised that Agra where the Taj is, has a  mythologically important monument that is related to both Krishna and Shiva.

Yes, this monument is in Agra and not in any of the famous places associated with Krishna. This is the famous Mankameshwar Temple, which is one of four ancient temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in the four corners of Agra City.

The importance of the temples is derived from the fact that the Linga was consecrated by Shiva himself. What more do you want in a temple where the deity is consecrated by the God himself.

The Mankameshwar temple is situated at Rawatpara, near the Jama Masjid and it is just two and half kms away from the Taj and less than a kilometre from the Agra Fort.

The temple is easy to locate as it is surrounded by many of Agra’s old markets.

There is a beautiful story about how the temple came to be built. Krishna had decided to take birth in Dwapara Yuga in Mathura, which is near Agra. When Krishna made this decision known to Gods, Shiva wanted to see Krishna as a child.

He therefore, came down from Mount Kailash. He decided to rest at a cremation ground near Yamuna river. He rested and meditated here.

Shiva was contemplating the pleasure he would derive in seeing the young Krishna play with him and sit on his lap. He though he would install a Linga if his desire came true.

Suddenly Yashoda arrived at the place and spotted Krishna. She felt that Krishna would be scared if she saw the ash colored Shiva with a serpent around his neck and a Trishul in his hand.

Krishna heard the entire conservation. But he realised it would be difficult to get Yashoda to allow him near Shiva. So he hot upon the oldest trick that a child plays before its mother and the mother invariably falls for it.

Krishna pointed to Shiva and started crying. Meanwhile, a disappointed Shiva was sitting under a Banyan tree and meditating. Yashoda called Shiva and asked him to bless Krishna.

Shiva took Krishna in his arm, blessed him and left the place a happy God. But he did not forget his promise. He consecrated a linga at the precise spot where he had lifted the infant Krishna. This is the Mankameshwar Temple.

Shiva then said people visiting his Linga here would be blessed and all their wishes would be fulfilled.

The linga here is covered with silver.

Only people wearing traditional dress are allowed here. This is a peculiarity here as in north India, the dress code is not rigorously enforced. Therefore, no pants, leather jackets and dress, salwar Kameez here.     

You cannot miss the temple. It is surrounded by a very busy shopping hubs with grocery, cosmetic market, shoe, jewellery and Indian sweet markets. There area around the temple is known for a special pan which you get at Mankameshwar locality.

The pan  is folded in the shape of a pyramid. The pan is then coated with "chandi ki Barak" (Silver foil) and garnished with coconut powder.

Visit the temple and eat the pan. Both have their own devotees. 

The other three Shiva temples in Agar are Kailash Mandir, Balkeshwar Mandir and Prithvinath Mandir.

The Balkeshwar and Kailash temples are located besides the Yamuna. The Kailash temple is situated nearteh Sikandra side of Yamuna. The Prithvinath temple is in Shahganj, on the road to Jaipur.

The annual “parikrama” (circumnavigation) of all the four Shiva temples is a well-documented event in the history of Agra. The route totally covers 50 kms.

So the next time you visit the Taj, make sure to take time off to see the Linga and pray for your desire to come true. Of course, do not forget the pan. You will not get it anywhere else.