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| Name = Khandoba
| Name = Khandoba
| Devanagari =
| Devanagari =
| Sanskrit_Transliteration =
| Sanskrit_Transliteration = Khaṇḍoba or Kānhoba
| Pali_Transliteration =
| Pali_Transliteration =
| Tamil_script =
| Tamil_script =
| Affiliation = [[Avatar]] of [[Shiva]]
| Affiliation = [[Avatar]] of [[Shiva]]
| God_of = All Castes and Religions
| God_of = Farming and Herdings Castes
| Abode =
| Abode =
| Mantra =
| Mantra =
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}}
}}


'''Khandoba''', also known as '''Khanderao''', '''Khanderaya''' and '''Malhari Martand''' is a regional [[Hindu]] deity, worshipped by all communities including [[Muslim]]s, exhaulted as '''Mārtanda Bhairava''', an incarnation of [[Shiva]], having linkages with [[Vaishnavism|Vaishanva]] and [[Jain]] traditions. <ref name = "A"> People of India By Kumar Suresh Singh, B. V. Bhanu, Anthropological Survey of India [http://books.google.com/books?id=BsBEgVa804IC&pg=PR59&ots=0k-6kVc2Up&dq=Khandoba+god&as_brr=3&sig=9XwC8XqDCc18S0l3xOKwK8kIERA#PPR59,M1] p.ix</ref> He is the most popular [[Kuldevta|family deity]] in [[Maharashtra]], the patron deity of farming and herding [[castes]], <ref>Courtright, p. 205.</ref> the hunters and gatherers, of the hills and forests (like Mallanna in [[Andhra Pradesh]] and Mallaya in [[Karnataka]]) of western [[Deccan]]. The worship of Khandoba developed during the [[9th century|9th]]/[[10th century|10th centuries]] from a folk deity into a composite god pocessing the attributes of Shiva<ref>'Khandoba: Ursprung, Geschiche und Umvelt von Pastoralem Gotheiten in Maharashtra, Wiesbaden 1976 (German with English Synopsis) pp. 180-98, "Khandoba is a local deity in Maharashtra and been Sanskritised as an incarnation of Shiva."</ref>, [[Bhairava]], [[Surya]]<ref>Courtright, p. 205.</ref> and [[Murugan|Karttikeya]] (Skanda).<ref>For use of the name Khandoba as a name for Karttikeya in Maharashtra, see: Gupta, ''Preface'', and p. 40.</ref>He is depicted either in the form of a [[Lingam]]<ref>Courtright, p. 205.</ref><ref>For worship of Khandoba in the form of a lingam and possible identification with Shiva based on that, see: Mate, p. 176.</ref>, or as an image riding on a bull or a horse.

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==Malhari Mahatmya==

Malhari Mahatmya, a [[Marathi]] work consisting of 22 chapters, narrates the legend of Martanda-Bhairava or Khandoba. It recounts how [[Shiva]] assumed the [[avatar]] of Khandoba to kill the demons Malla amd Mani (referred to in some accounts as a single giant named Manimalla). It further describes how two [[Lingam|Lingas]] appeared at Prempuri, the place where the demons were killed.

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==Wives of Khandoba==
[[Image:Khandoba.jpg|thumb| Khandoba and Mhalsa killing demons Mani-Malla - [[Lithograph]] c.1880]]
[[Image:Khandoba.jpg|thumb| Khandoba and Mhalsa killing demons Mani-Malla - [[Lithograph]] c.1880]]
Khandoba is a much-married god with wives from many communities, who serve as cultural links to the communities. His first wife [[Mahalasa|Mhalsa]] is from the [[Lingayatism|Lingavat]] merchant caste; his second wife Banai is a [[Dhangar]] (shepherd caste); the third wife Rambhai is from Terror caste; fourth wife Phulai is a gardender and fifth caste Candai is a Muslim or described as a Telin (oil presser caste).<ref name ="A"/>


The Malhari Mahatmya also gives an account of the two wives of Khandoba, Mhalsa and Banai.


Mhalsa is believed to be a combined avatara of [[Mohini]] and [[Parvati]]. Mhalsa was born as the daughter of a rich merchant in Newase called Timshet. On the dinine orders of Khandoba in a dream to Timshet, she was married to Khandoba on [[Pausha]] Pournima(the full moon day of Hindu calender month of Paush) in Pali(Pembar). Two shivlingas appeared on this occasion. An annual festival marking this event is celebrated in Pali every Paush Pournima.
'''Khandoba''', also called '''Khanderao''', is a local deity of the [[Hindus]], worshipped by the people of the [[Deccan]] regions, [[Maharashtra]], parts of [[Andhra Pradesh]], and [[Karnataka]] [[States and territories of India|states]] of India. It is believed that the worship of Khandoba developed during the [[9th century|9th]]/[[10th century|10th centuries]], and he is believed to have developed from a folk deity into a deity having composite characters and attributes of [[Shiva]], [[Bhairava]], and according to some scholars, also of [[Surya]]. He is depicted either in the form of a [[Lingam]], or as an image riding on a bull or a horse.


Banai is believed to the daughter of [[Indra]], the king of the gods. Banai was found by Dhangar shepherd, when she was abandoned on earth by an angry Indra. When Banai grew up, it was predicted that she would get her match at [[Jejuri]]. There, she felt in love with God Khandoba. Khandoba also felt in her love. Khandoba accepted a self-exile for 12 years by intentionally losing a game of chess(Saripat) to his wife Mhalsa. He took disguise of shepherd and started serving Banai's father. One day, Khandoba killed all the sheep and goats of Banai' father and promised to make them alive again if he was married to Banai. The reluctant Banai was married to Khandoba, the shepherd in disguise at Naldurg. Khandoba revealed his real form to Banai on their way back to Jejuri.
Khandoba's equivalent deities are ''Mallanna'' in [[Andhra Pradesh]] and Mailara in [[Karnataka]].


On reaching Jejuri, Khandoba was greeted by Mhalsa's fury and her strong protest of his second marriage. To avoid the quarrels of his wives, Khandoba gave the upper half of the hill to Mhalsa and the lower half to Banai. The idol of Mhalsa is placed with Khandoba in the main shrine at top of the hill at Jejuri. A separate shrine to Banai is situated halfway down the hill.
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==Main twelve temples of loard Khandoba==

#[[Jejuri]] The the original, main seat, temple of loard Khandoba situated 48 kilometers from [[Pune]] city on [[Pune]] - Saswad roadway in [[Pune district]]. There are two temples, the first is an ancient temple known as '''Kadepathar'''. '''Kadepathar''' is diffecult to climb and it takes about one hour to reach their.This is God seat (Dev Gadi) of god Khandoba, because when god [[Shankara]] took the [[avatara]] of Khandoba and came on earth his feet touched here first time. Second is more famous temple because it is easy to climb and it is said that this beautiful structure was build by Late Dada [[Holkar]] / [[Ahilyabai Holkar]].This temple has about 450 steps , 18 Kamani (big stone invetations doors) , and 350 Dipmalas (Tall stone oil lamps holders ). At the fooheals of this temple there is [[Holkar]] tank and nowadays boating entertenment is available there. Both temples are [[fort]] like structures.
==Worship==
⚫
#'''Pali''' Temple situted near [[Satara]] city in Maharashtra.

A six-day festival in honour of Khandoba is celebrated to commemorate an occasion where he fought Mani-Malla (Margadhirsha shukla first to sixth) and on the sixth day (Champa Shashti) he overcame and slew them. Khandoba is worshipped with [[Turmeric]] (Bhandār), [[Bael|Bel]] fruit-leaves, onions and other vegetables. Boys called Vāghyā and girls called Muraḹi were formerly dedicated to Khandoba, but now the practice of marrying girls to Khandoba is illegal.<ref>{{cite book | last = Underhill | first = Muriel Marion | title = The Hindu Religious Year | publisher = [[Asian Educational Services]] | date = 1991 | pages = p. 111 | isbn = 8120605233}}</ref>

Khandoba is also a figure of respect and worship to [[Muslims]], and this affiliation is visible in the style of his temples.<ref name="sontheimer"> {{Citation | last = Sontheimer | first = Gunther D. | contribution = Between Ghost and God: A Folk Deity of the Deccan | editor-last = Hiltebeitel | editor-first = Alf | title = Criminal Gods and Demon Devotees: Essays on the Guardians of Popular Hinduism | pages = 299-337 | publisher = [[State University of New York|SUNY]] | place = New York | year = 1989 | contribution-url = http://books.google.com/books?id=CLmuJhU3wC8C&pg=PA299&dq=Between+Ghost+and+God+Sontheimer&ei=LFVwR-f4NIyEiQHq5_B1&sig=_KDFDF3dMBnCxpRu5wSOkVP1tus}}</ref> Some of these distinguishing Muslim features include his usual appearance as that of a [[Pashtun people|Paṭhān]] on horseback, one of his wives being a Muslim, and that his horse-keeper is a Muslim in Jejuri. The Mārtaṇḍa Vijaya expressly states that his devotees mainly comprise of Muslims.<ref name="sontheimer"/> The worship of Khandoba had received royal patronage by [[Ibrahim Adil Shah II|Ibrahim II]], which consisted of the reinstatement of the annual [[Zatra|jatra]] and the right of pilgrims to perform rituals at the Naldurg temple.<ref name="sontheimer"/>

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==The twelve temples==

#'''[[Jejuri]]''': The foremost center of worship of Khandoba in Maharashtra <ref>For Jejuri as the foremost center of worship see: Mate, p. 162.</ref>. It is situated 48kms from [[Pune]]
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#'''Pali''' (Pembar) Temple situted near [[Satara]] city in Maharashtra.
#'''Shewud''' [[Ahmednagar]] district [[Maharashtra]].
#'''Shewud''' [[Ahmednagar]] district [[Maharashtra]].
#'''Kamathwadi''' [[Ahmednagar]] district [[Maharashtra]].
#'''Kamathwadi''' [[Ahmednagar]] district [[Maharashtra]].
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#'''[[Naldurg]]''' [[Dharashiv]] [[Osmanabad]] district.
#'''[[Naldurg]]''' [[Dharashiv]] [[Osmanabad]] district.
#'''Mangsuli''' [[Belgaum]] district.
#'''Mangsuli''' [[Belgaum]] district.
#[['''Mailara Linga''']] [[Dharwad]] district.
#'''[[Mailara Linga]]''' [[Dharwad]] district.
#'''Maltesh or Mailar - Devargudda''' [[Dharwad]] district.
#'''Maltesh or Mailar - Devargudda''' [[Dharwad]] district.
#'''Mannamailar''' Bellary, a city in [[Karnataka]] state, India.
#'''Mannamailar''' Bellary, a city in [[Karnataka]] state, India.
#'''Mailarpur''' Penbar in [[Bidar]] district.
#'''Mailarpur''' Penbar in [[Bidar]] district.

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== Other temples of god Khandoba ==
1) '''Bale''' [[Soalpur District]].

2) '''Bhokardan'''Temple in [[Jalna]] district in [[Maharashtra]] reconstructed by Talekar's

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==Malhari Mahatmya==

A religious book on [[Khandoba]] containing 22 chapters.

# Auspicious start, description of cottages of seven [[Rishi]] on Manichurna hill, destruction of all this cottages from [[demon]]/[[Asura]] Malhasur, All the sages/Rishi goes to [[Amrawati]] with their grievance.
# Description of court of [[Indra]]. Indra wellcomes all Rishi but declares his inability to defeat the demons and advised Rishi to go to [[Vaikuntha]] (God Vishnu's home)
# Description of [[Vishnu]] temple, Rishi praise god Vishnu – Vishnu leaves with them for [[Kailasa]] (Home of god Shankar)
# By seeing the decoration of [[Kailas]] hill The god Vishnu and Rishi becomes happy.
# Description of [[Shiv]] Temple.
# Description of divine beauty of [[Shankar]]- [[Parvati]].
# Rishi praise god Shankar , Shankar saves them and gives a boon , birth of female demon Dhrutmari .
# Shree Shiv takes the [[avatara]] of Martandbhairava. Description of army of gods and dispatch for war.
# Mallasur is informed by his ambassadors about the arrival of army of gods. They laugh at Shiva. Army of demons prepare for war.
# Description of the terrible war.
# War of Kartikswami ([[Murugan]]) and Khadangdanshtra. The defeat of demons (Daitya)
# War of Shree [[Gajanan]] ([[Ganpati]]) and Ulkamukh , victory of [[Ganesh]], war of [[Nandi]] and Kutiloma. Victory of Nandi.
# War of demon Mani and Martandbhairav, assationitaion of Mani.
# Vishnu goes to Mallasur for diplomacy. But Mallasur doesn't listen to his guidance and decides to war.
# War between Dhrutmari and Mallasur, Dhrutmari's defeat.
# Terrible war between Mallasur and Martandbhaira , Mallasur's defeat.
# Mallasur praise shree Martandbhairav! God Shankar gives him a boon!
# Two Shivlinga ([[Lingam]]) appears at murder place of Manimalla according the Rishi request and at that place Prempuri all gods come for pilgrimage.
# Importance of Prempuri pilgrimage.
# Description of Prempuri and pilgrim place.
# Importance of Malhari Martand puja and faith.
# Fruits of reading Malhari Mahatmya book.

==God [[Khandoba]] and his two wives==
God [[Khandoba]] had two wives. First [[Mhalsa]] ( [[Shree Mahalasa]] ??? ). So god Khandoba is also called as Mhalsakanta ( husband of Mhalsa ). Second Banai. There is no description about these marriages in the book '''Malhari-Mahatmya'''. But there are two-three different stories running. First let us see the marriage story of Mhalsa. During the [[Samudra manthan]] the [[Amrita]] / Amrut was one of the fourteen rantnas (Presious objects) born. Because off distribution of the [[Amrita]] / Amruta , Gods and Demons had dispute. At that time god [[Vishnu]] took the disguise role of [[Mohini]] (a lady Temptress) and served the [[Amrita]] to gods and [[liquor]] to the demons to drink. [[Asura]] / [[Demon]]s were attracted and hypnotized towards the exceptional beauty of [[Mohini]] (a lady Temptress). So that the demons couldn't recognize the cheating.God [[Shiva]] requested to god [[Vishnu]] to show that divine Mohini (a lady Temptress) disguise. [[Vishnu]] honored his request and discloses the [[Mohini]] (a lady Temptress) disguise. But by the show of that divine Rupa (appearance, look), Shankara was attracted and become lewd and ran after her. Soon [[Mohini]] (a lady Temptress) was disappeared. While lewd [[Shankara]] remembered the promise given to [[Parvati]] and he called [[Parvati]] .At once [[Mohini]] (a lady Temptress) was appeared and entered into the body of [[Parvati]]. [[Shankara]] was very delighted by seeking the [[Mohini]] (a lady Temptress) like new beauty of [[Parvati]]. [[Shankara]] named Parvati as Maholaya power or Mhalsa. In '''MartandBhairava''' [[Avatara]] same [[Parvati]] took the [[Avatara]] of Mhalsa. (There is another story so as -- To fulfill the want of [[Shankara]] , [[Mohini]] promised him that when in future you will take the [[Avatara]] of Martandbhairava I will become your wife as Mhalsa. )In [[Newase]] there was a rich merchant Timshet ( Timmashet) from Ligayat Vani caste([[Lingayatism]]) . He had no child. He was follower/ devotee of [[Shiva]]. That's why Martanda asked Mhalsa to take birth at his womb. One night when Timmasheth was doing [[Puja]] of [[Shiva]], Mhalsa appeared in front of him and said "Close your eyes". When he closed his eyes Mhalsa took the disguise, appearance of baby and began to cry. When Timmasheth opened his eyes he saw a little girl instead of the goddess. Timmashet nourish the girl as she was his own child hoping that she was [[Prasada]] (gift) of the goddess. He named her as ' Mhalsa'.As time passed she grew up as a bride for marriage. One day Mhalari (God Khandoba) went in Timmasheth's dream and told him to that Mhalsa should marry to him (Malhari. According to that dream Timmasheth with his daughter went to Pali. There Timmasheth wedded Mhalsa to Malhari, who was in human appearance. On the same day before the wedding two shivlingas were appeared at that place. As so in this Avatara [[Shiv]] – [[Shakti]] came together and appeared as linga.Even today in Pali ( Pembar ) the annual wedding of Malhari-Mhalsa is celebrated on Paush Pournima.There are two stories running in accordance to Banai. According to the story in [[Maharashtra]] Banai is one of seven daughter of god [[Indra]]. One day [[Indra]] called all his seven daughters and questioned them that "who is your destiny maker, and on whom you are depending?" All the six daughters' answered to Indra that you are our destiny maker and we are dependable on you. But the seventh one said that "I myself am my own destiny maker and I am depending on myself. It will happen whatever is written in my destiny" Indra was very angry to listen to this. [[Indra]] made that his daughter a baby girl and sealed her in a box and threw that box in wild grassland of Chandanpur. A [[Shepherd]] ([[Dhangar]]) found that box. When he opened that box he found a beautiful baby girl. He thought that it is Prasada (Gift) of god and took that baby girl his home and nourished that baby as she was his own child. That Shepherd ([[Dhangar]]) named the girl as Banu.When Banu became major she praised god[[ Shankara]] and gain his faith, happiness. God [[Shankara]] appeared in human appearance and gave her a Devine /magical Shoes; and told her that when she will wore that Devine/magical shoes she will get the sight of her deemed groom. Later Shankara disappeared. At once Banu wore that magical shoe and directly, non stop reached to [[Jejuri]] in the palace of god [[Khandoba]]. Banu was attracted to him when she saw [[Khandoba]] sited with his wife Mhalsa .She extracted [[eye liner]] /[[Kajal]] of her eyes and wrote a love letter to [[Khandoba]] and left that letter at that place. When received that letter Khandoba become uneasy and lovesick. He suggested Mhalsa to play Saripat (Old Indian [[Chess]]). He who will lose the game should go in Vanwas (That is to abandon home and relatives and go into the wild ) for twelve years as so the game condition was fixed. Khandoba lost that game intentionally which seems to be real and prepared to go in Vanwasa for twelve years. Mhalsa became very unhappy. But how she could recognize that Khandoba lost that game intentionally and he has different plans in his mind?Khandoba left [[Jejuri]] and went to [[Guru]] of all Gods Bhuleshwar. According to [[Guru]]'s order he took the disguise appearance as a [[Dhangar]] (Shepherd) and served himself at the service of Banu's father as a Shepherd. He had to guard 700 [[Sheep]]'s and 700 [[Goat]]s. One day Khandoba took all those sheep's and goats on river and skinned them intentionally. He separated skin, bones and meat. All [[Dhangar]] (shepherds) gathered there when they were noticed this did. Banu also came and began to cry to see that seen. "Make alive at once all my sheep's and goats", she said to that Shepherd. So Khandoba said to her " If you marry me, I will make alive all the sheep's and goats". Left for no options and attracted towards Mhalari, Banu accepted his condition. At that time Khandoba disguise as that shepherd made alive all those sheep's and goats. At once Khandoba caught the hand of Banu and not listening to her denial he ride her on the horse. When ride on horse [[Khandoba]] disclosed his real appearance and at once Banu recognized him. Banu told [[Khandoba]] to stop the horse and went to see, ask and say by to her father. She told the entire story to her father. He was delighted. Father and all other Shepherds performed the wedding of Banu and Khandoba according to their power. Later Khandoba came to [[Jejuri]] with Banai (Banu). (There is another mentioned that this marriage was performed at Naldurga.)Mhalsa was delighted to see Khandoba and she brought [[Puja]] to praise him. But became angry and unhappy to see another woman with Khandoba. She lay down like a rock stone. Khandoba tryed his best to compromise, but in vain. Two step-wives had quarrels everyday. At last [[Khandoba]] had no option left and he made distribution. He gave the upper half hill to Mhalsa and lower hill to Banai. He regularly visits Banai. As so Mhalsa dwelled on hill and Banai down on the fort. (There is humoristic description of quarrel of these two step-wives in [[Folksong]]s) Ther is different story in the book '''Jyadri Mahatmya'''. Godess [[Parvati]] had and intimate friend called Jayadri. When there was quarrel between two wives [[Parvati]] and [[Ganga]] of god [[shankara]] she (Jayadri) use to settle it with very tactfully and made compromise between them. Because of the clevarness of Jayadri , both wifes of [[Shankara]] gave a word to her that " when at the end of [[Yuga]] god [[Shankara]] will take the [[Avatara]] of Martand Bhairava , you will be his wife by taking some part of ours wife-ship. " That is the same Jaya maid, daughter of Banasura , so named as Bana. She was exceptionally beautiful.When she grew up as a bride for wedding, Banasura arrange a Marrige quaintest (Swayamvara) for her wedding. All kings were invited for it. When they arrived Bansura told his daughter to came to marriage hall and choose one. Bana replied, "Create a place like [[Kailasa]] temple for me. There I will sit with my friends and from my hands I will give Vida ([[Pan (food)]] or Indian Eatable leaf) to all kings. To whom I shall put a chaplet of precious stones and gold, shall be known as my husband."According to that all arrangements were made and all invitees were invited were informed by Banasura's prime minister. Many saw her and took the Vida and returned broken hearted. Approximately one month later 'Moor' went to her. Bana was attracted to his love beauty and put the chaplet in his neck. The prime minister told 'Moor' to hide that chaplet in his coat and warned him not to speak about this anywhere. This caution was taken because disappointed kings could make trouble. As so 'Moor' made arrangement and returned to his home.After this Shee[[krishna]] went to meet Bana and returned with Vida.While returning [[Krishna]] left his Murli (Indian [[flute]]) there intentionally. Bana kept that Murli herself for inquiry. At night Bana went to that murali (Indian [[flute]]) and asked her that who are you. The murli (Indian [[flute]]) took human appearance and told her story. That murli (Indian flute) was a dancer named '''Tilottama''' and she was maid of god [[Indra]]. Once upon a time because she was ill proud, she didn't go to the court of god [[Indra]]. God [[Indra]] cursed her that "you will go on earth and with cunning songs will deceive others women's for third persons" Then she surrender herself and prayed for sub curse to god Indra. God [[Indra]] said "When in [[Krishna]] [[Avatara]] you will became an ambassador and go Bana, she will give you a curse!"Bana understood all the news and cursed the murli (Indian flute) that" Because off your cunningness you should be dancing outside my husbands home! "When the curse was delivered murli (Indian [[flute]]) was disappeared and according to the curse she became a female body 'Muralee' (lady dancers devoted to god Khandoba). After this incidence Bana send a message to Moor with her father that "war with Krushna / [[Krishna]]" In that war King Moor was got killed. Bana asked permission to her father for long meditation (Tapa). She told all the back happning, stories and told that her marriage will happen with god [[Shankara]].By getting the permission of her father Bana meditated for one hundred years by standing on her feet in the water of river [[Kaveri]]. [[Shiva]] took the [[Avatara]] of Martandbhairava and killed demons Mani and Mallasur. Afterwards when they came to river [[Kaveri]] , he remembered Bana. Bana came out the water when she saw Martandbhairava and said to the god, "Tell me where should I dwell and in what condition" Martandbhairava replied," King [[Nala]] of Naladurga is my favorite follower/ devotee. You dwell within the boundaries of his city. You will come in light according to your beauty and appearance." According to that Bana went Naladurga in the form of wind and dwelled on a [[Sandalwood]] tree in the form of smell, scent. Later another story happened in that all tigers were freed from cursed by Martandbhairava because off a Shepherd ([[Dhangar]]) called Ajmila, and dogs. [[Tiger]]'s were brought to Naladurga by dogs and there Martandbhairava freed them from cursed with Haridrachurna ([[Turmeric]] powder ). Banai appeared when she listen dialog between Shepherd ([[Dhangar]]) and Sheep's and told her own story and asked to those devotee of Martandbhairava that perform herself marriage with god Martandbhairava. On that Ajamila replied, "I will do whatever is possible by me. Till that you stay on this Sandalwood tree. "Afterwards Ajamila told this story to his Shepherd ([[Dhangar]]) brothers. After discussion they went to King [[Nala]] and described the story of beautiful Bana. On the same night king Nala and his wife had a dream to perform the marriage of' Martandbhairava and Banai'. King [[Nala]] told this dream to his prime minister. When the prime minister told to search the [[fort]], they found an arrow and a yellowish shivlinga ([[Lingam]]) appeared in the fort on the left side. Then king Nala brought Bana and performed the marriage with Martandbhairava in the form of shivlinga ([[Lingam]]) on Shravan shuddha pournima ( [[Full moon]] day in [[Shravan]] month of [[Hindu calendar]] ).Martandbhairava was happy to see the devotion of king Nala and he appeared and gave his sight. Later he said,"I came from Prempuri for this marriage. Now both of us will go to [[Jejuri]] on Jayadri hill. My shivlinga (Lingam) with Bana will always dwell in your fort! "God reached [[Jejuri]] with Bana in no time as so a sword in hand, Damru and [[Trishula]] on a white horse. There he arranged Bana on north-west side. He planned [[Vishnu]] in the form of Hegdi prime minister for her protection. Later he took the sign arrow and made a hole from her back stone throw his seat. Then he said,"Always I will throw Haridrachurna ([[Turmeric]] powder) by this way and come to meet you at midnight. By this way, your wish that my feet dust shall fall on your head will be fullfilled."So as such the story that the beloved maid of Parvati , who she appeared as Banai and married to Martandbhairava in [[Naldurg]] fort.

== Story of the birth of Hridrachurna ([[Turmeric]] powder) alias Bhandara ==
The Yognidra (Yoga sleep or Devine sleep) of God [[Vishnu]] left him because of fear of demon Mani and Malla and hide herself in a rock in Patala. To search her gods 1) [[Vishnu]], 2) [[Shankar]] and 3) [[Bhramha]] took the disguise appearance (Rupa) as trees as follows 1) Pimple, 2) Wad(Ficus bengalensis ), and 3) Palas (Butea Monosperma)
and began to meditate (Tapa). They meditated the Tripur mantra for one hundred thousand times, and an incident was happened. A terrible sound happened underneath the seat of god Vishnu and he ran because off fear. He told Bhramha that the sound was happened. God Bhramha went to seat of God Vishnu and he saw a yellow germ. When god Bhramha saw the germ, he told the story to god Shankar. When god Shankar saw the germ he told to worship it or make [[Puja]] with sixteen rituals (Sanskara) along with Shreesukta mantra and when prayer, the goddess Tripuradevi will be pleased. After a long prayer goddess Tripuradevi said from beneath the rock, “Break the rock and extract the knot from bottom. Wash the knot with pure water and worship it with goddess Tripuradevi’s mantra and 108 times in the name of Martandbhairava, and make powder it and use to body. After then meditate (Japa) my name for 100 thousand times, so the enemies will destroy.” After then god Bhramha asked the goddess for her name, she answered “god Vishnu who destroyed the time (Kal) I made him ran, so my name is Hridra.” (Haridra-Haris – she who make run) Nowadays it is called as turmeric.


==References==
==References==
<references/>
⚫
*[[Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend]] (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dhallapiccola


==Further reading==
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*[[Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend]] (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dhallapiccola
* King of Hunters, Warriors and shepherds and essays on Khandoba by Gunther-Dietz SONTHEIMER Edited by ANNE FELDHAUS, ADITYA MALAIK, HEIDRUN BRUCKNER 1997, 353pp. b&w illus., bibl. index (ISBN 81-7304-018-4)
* King of Hunters, Warriors and shepherds and essays on Khandoba by Gunther-Dietz SONTHEIMER Edited by ANNE FELDHAUS, ADITYA MALAIK, HEIDRUN BRUCKNER 1997, 353pp. b&w illus., bibl. index (ISBN 81-7304-018-4)
*{{cite book |last=Gupta |first=Shakti M.|authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Karttikeya: The Son of Shiva|year=1988 |publisher=Somaiya Publications Pvt. Ltd.|location=Bombay |isbn=81-7039-186-5 }}
*Referance: - A [[Marathi]] religious book named '''Malhari Mahatmya Kathasar'''
*{{cite book |last=Courtright |first=Paul B. |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Gaṇeśa: Lord of Obstacles, Lord of Beginnings |year=1985 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=New York |isbn=ISBN 0-19-505742-2 }}
*{{cite book |last=Mate |first=M. S. |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Temples and Legends of Maharashtra |year=1988 |publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan |location=Bombay |isbn= }}


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Pashupati]]
*[[List of Hindu deities]]
*[[List of Hindu deities]]
*[[List of Asuras]]
*[[Maratha clan system]]


==External links==
==External links==
*http://www.khandoba.org/
*http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2000/06/25/stories/1325063k.htm

*http://www.khandoba.com/
*http://www.hindubooks.org/temples/maharastra/khandoba/index.htm
*http://pune.sancharnet.in/osd_dhanpund/index.html
* http://www.aroundpune.com/jejuri.htm
*http://www.liveindia.com/sai/tour6.html
*http://www.hindu.com/lr/2005/10/02/stories/2005100200120300.htm
*http://choices.cs.uiuc.edu/~naldurg/ancestors.html
*http://readerswords.blogspot.com/2006/07/khandoba-bonded-servants-of-lord.html
*http://www.indbazaar.com/travel/display.asp?artid=34
*http://ignca.nic.in/ks_35.htm
*http://www.archerindia.com/eLithos/default.asp?code=&elSubject=All&elPress=Ravi+Varma+Press&elSize=All&go=go
*http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/gazFileShow.php?filePath=/data/gazetteer/2002/05/02/20020502080705_file12.htm&level=1&gazetteerSqlId=20020502080705&distId=25&gazId=20020426074254l
*http://www.hinduonnet.com/folio/fo0109/01090180.htm
{{HinduMythology}}
{{HinduMythology}}
[[Category:Hindu deities]]
[[Category:Aspects of Shiva]]
[[Category:Hindu gods]]

Revision as of 09:15, 28 December 2007

Khandoba

Khandoba, also known as Khanderao, Khanderaya and Malhari Martand is a regional Hindu deity, worshipped by all communities including Muslims, exhaulted as Mārtanda Bhairava, an incarnation of Shiva, having linkages with Vaishanva and Jain traditions. [1] He is the most popular family deity in Maharashtra, the patron deity of farming and herding castes, [2] the hunters and gatherers, of the hills and forests (like Mallanna in Andhra Pradesh and Mallaya in Karnataka) of western Deccan. The worship of Khandoba developed during the 9th/10th centuries from a folk deity into a composite god pocessing the attributes of Shiva[3], Bhairava, Surya[4] and Karttikeya (Skanda).[5]He is depicted either in the form of a Lingam[6][7], or as an image riding on a bull or a horse.

Malhari Mahatmya

Malhari Mahatmya, a Marathi work consisting of 22 chapters, narrates the legend of Martanda-Bhairava or Khandoba. It recounts how Shiva assumed the avatar of Khandoba to kill the demons Malla amd Mani (referred to in some accounts as a single giant named Manimalla). It further describes how two Lingas appeared at Prempuri, the place where the demons were killed.

Wives of Khandoba

Khandoba and Mhalsa killing demons Mani-Malla - Lithograph c.1880

Khandoba is a much-married god with wives from many communities, who serve as cultural links to the communities. His first wife Mhalsa is from the Lingavat merchant caste; his second wife Banai is a Dhangar (shepherd caste); the third wife Rambhai is from Terror caste; fourth wife Phulai is a gardender and fifth caste Candai is a Muslim or described as a Telin (oil presser caste).[1]

The Malhari Mahatmya also gives an account of the two wives of Khandoba, Mhalsa and Banai.

Mhalsa is believed to be a combined avatara of Mohini and Parvati. Mhalsa was born as the daughter of a rich merchant in Newase called Timshet. On the dinine orders of Khandoba in a dream to Timshet, she was married to Khandoba on Pausha Pournima(the full moon day of Hindu calender month of Paush) in Pali(Pembar). Two shivlingas appeared on this occasion. An annual festival marking this event is celebrated in Pali every Paush Pournima.

Banai is believed to the daughter of Indra, the king of the gods. Banai was found by Dhangar shepherd, when she was abandoned on earth by an angry Indra. When Banai grew up, it was predicted that she would get her match at Jejuri. There, she felt in love with God Khandoba. Khandoba also felt in her love. Khandoba accepted a self-exile for 12 years by intentionally losing a game of chess(Saripat) to his wife Mhalsa. He took disguise of shepherd and started serving Banai's father. One day, Khandoba killed all the sheep and goats of Banai' father and promised to make them alive again if he was married to Banai. The reluctant Banai was married to Khandoba, the shepherd in disguise at Naldurg. Khandoba revealed his real form to Banai on their way back to Jejuri.

On reaching Jejuri, Khandoba was greeted by Mhalsa's fury and her strong protest of his second marriage. To avoid the quarrels of his wives, Khandoba gave the upper half of the hill to Mhalsa and the lower half to Banai. The idol of Mhalsa is placed with Khandoba in the main shrine at top of the hill at Jejuri. A separate shrine to Banai is situated halfway down the hill.

Worship

A six-day festival in honour of Khandoba is celebrated to commemorate an occasion where he fought Mani-Malla (Margadhirsha shukla first to sixth) and on the sixth day (Champa Shashti) he overcame and slew them. Khandoba is worshipped with Turmeric (Bhandār), Bel fruit-leaves, onions and other vegetables. Boys called Vāghyā and girls called Muraḹi were formerly dedicated to Khandoba, but now the practice of marrying girls to Khandoba is illegal.[8]

Khandoba is also a figure of respect and worship to Muslims, and this affiliation is visible in the style of his temples.[9] Some of these distinguishing Muslim features include his usual appearance as that of a Paṭhān on horseback, one of his wives being a Muslim, and that his horse-keeper is a Muslim in Jejuri. The Mārtaṇḍa Vijaya expressly states that his devotees mainly comprise of Muslims.[9] The worship of Khandoba had received royal patronage by Ibrahim II, which consisted of the reinstatement of the annual jatra and the right of pilgrims to perform rituals at the Naldurg temple.[9]

The twelve temples

  1. Jejuri: The foremost center of worship of Khandoba in Maharashtra [10]. It is situated 48kms from Pune
  2. Pali (Pembar) Temple situted near Satara city in Maharashtra.
  3. Shewud Ahmednagar district Maharashtra.
  4. Kamathwadi Ahmednagar district Maharashtra.
  5. Nimgaon Dawadi Pune district
  6. Palipembar Satara district.
  7. Naldurg Dharashiv Osmanabad district.
  8. Mangsuli Belgaum district.
  9. Mailara Linga Dharwad district.
  10. Maltesh or Mailar - Devargudda Dharwad district.
  11. Mannamailar Bellary, a city in Karnataka state, India.
  12. Mailarpur Penbar in Bidar district.

References

  1. ^ a b People of India By Kumar Suresh Singh, B. V. Bhanu, Anthropological Survey of India [1] p.ix
  2. ^ Courtright, p. 205.
  3. ^ 'Khandoba: Ursprung, Geschiche und Umvelt von Pastoralem Gotheiten in Maharashtra, Wiesbaden 1976 (German with English Synopsis) pp. 180-98, "Khandoba is a local deity in Maharashtra and been Sanskritised as an incarnation of Shiva."
  4. ^ Courtright, p. 205.
  5. ^ For use of the name Khandoba as a name for Karttikeya in Maharashtra, see: Gupta, Preface, and p. 40.
  6. ^ Courtright, p. 205.
  7. ^ For worship of Khandoba in the form of a lingam and possible identification with Shiva based on that, see: Mate, p. 176.
  8. ^ Underhill, Muriel Marion (1991). The Hindu Religious Year. Asian Educational Services. pp. p. 111. ISBN 8120605233. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  9. ^ a b c Sontheimer, Gunther D. (1989), "Between Ghost and God: A Folk Deity of the Deccan", in Hiltebeitel, Alf (ed.), Criminal Gods and Demon Devotees: Essays on the Guardians of Popular Hinduism, New York: SUNY, pp. 299–337
  10. ^ For Jejuri as the foremost center of worship see: Mate, p. 162.

Further reading

  • Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dhallapiccola
  • King of Hunters, Warriors and shepherds and essays on Khandoba by Gunther-Dietz SONTHEIMER Edited by ANNE FELDHAUS, ADITYA MALAIK, HEIDRUN BRUCKNER 1997, 353pp. b&w illus., bibl. index (ISBN 81-7304-018-4)
  • Gupta, Shakti M. (1988). Karttikeya: The Son of Shiva. Bombay: Somaiya Publications Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 81-7039-186-5. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  • Courtright, Paul B. (1985). Gaṇeśa: Lord of Obstacles, Lord of Beginnings. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN ISBN 0-19-505742-2. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  • Mate, M. S. (1988). Temples and Legends of Maharashtra. Bombay: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

See also

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