Khandoba

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


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 of India. It is believed that the worship of Khandoba developed during the 9th/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.

Khandoba's equivalent deities are Mallanna in Andhra Pradesh and Mailara in Karnataka.

Main twelve temples of loard Khandoba

  1. 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.
  2. Pali 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.

Other temples of god Khandoba

1) Bale Soalpur District.

2) BhokardanTemple in Jalna district in Maharashtra reconstructed by Talekar's

Malhari Mahatmya

A religious book on Khandoba containing 22 chapters.

  1. 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.
  2. 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)
  3. Description of Vishnu temple, Rishi praise god Vishnu – Vishnu leaves with them for Kailasa (Home of god Shankar)
  4. By seeing the decoration of Kailas hill The god Vishnu and Rishi becomes happy.
  5. Description of Shiv Temple.
  6. Description of divine beauty of Shankar- Parvati.
  7. Rishi praise god Shankar , Shankar saves them and gives a boon , birth of female demon Dhrutmari .
  8. Shree Shiv takes the avatara of Martandbhairava. Description of army of gods and dispatch for war.
  9. Mallasur is informed by his ambassadors about the arrival of army of gods. They laugh at Shiva. Army of demons prepare for war.
  10. Description of the terrible war.
  11. War of Kartikswami (Murugan) and Khadangdanshtra. The defeat of demons (Daitya)
  12. War of Shree Gajanan (Ganpati) and Ulkamukh , victory of Ganesh, war of Nandi and Kutiloma. Victory of Nandi.
  13. War of demon Mani and Martandbhairav, assationitaion of Mani.
  14. Vishnu goes to Mallasur for diplomacy. But Mallasur doesn't listen to his guidance and decides to war.
  15. War between Dhrutmari and Mallasur, Dhrutmari's defeat.
  16. Terrible war between Mallasur and Martandbhaira , Mallasur's defeat.
  17. Mallasur praise shree Martandbhairav! God Shankar gives him a boon!
  18. Two Shivlinga (Lingam) appears at murder place of Manimalla according the Rishi request and at that place Prempuri all gods come for pilgrimage.
  19. Importance of Prempuri pilgrimage.
  20. Description of Prempuri and pilgrim place.
  21. Importance of Malhari Martand puja and faith.
  22. 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 / Demons 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 godShankara 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 Goats. 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 Folksongs) 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 Sheekrishna 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

  • 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)
  • Referance: - A Marathi religious book named Malhari Mahatmya Kathasar

See also

External links

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