October 25, 2020 [email protected] Ravana ––– The Demon King of Lanka Pradesh is built on a site believed to have been chosen by Ravana himself. Ravana ue to COVID pandemic Dussehra in Jammu is without Ravan this year. chose the spot to create a temple of Lord Shiva, whom Ravana believed in. It is We all know of Ravan or Ravana as the main villain from the ancient Indian believed that Ravana built the temple around the statue of Shiva. The temple is Depic, Ramayana, whose eventful death at the hands of Lord Rama of located close to the beach and is quite a picturesque temple. It is magnificent and Ayodhya, is celebrated nationwide till date as a symbol of truth’s triumph over evil. beautiful! Kakuinada is the only place in Andhra where Ravana is worshipped. So, while the world sees Ravana, the King of Lanka, as a dark figure, there are a Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh few societies still existing in India that acknowledge and worship him as a deity. This temple of Ravana is opened just once a year on Dussehra Day and rituals are If legends are to be believed, Ravana was known as an outstanding scholar, a pro carried out. The temple was constructed by Shiv Shankar, a devotee of Lord Shiva in fine arts, an expert astrologer and warrior, and even a man of great penances. and the believer in the power of Ravana. Ravana is worshipped as a God in the tem- Given his accomplishments, Ravana had earned a name for himself among a select- ple and not like a demon that he is believed to be. The temple celebrates his knowl- ed class of devotees in India. Quite naturally, as with the nature of devotees, there edge, his brilliance and his benevolence as a king – attributes of Ravana’s that lie are a few temples located across India, which were built in honour of the Lankan forgotten in today’s world. king. So, if you wish to take an unbiased look at the character of Ravana or simply Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh want to witness how a Ravana temple in India would look like, here is a dedicated Vidisha is one of the most famous Ravana temples. There is even a village in compilation for you. Vidisha named Ravangram after king Ravana! During any auspicious function or on Baijanath, Himachal Pradesh any important day, it is the Indian tradition to visit temples and seek blessings. The Baijanath temple in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh is not a Ravana temple people of Vidisha visit Ravana’s temples on wedding days and other important occa- per se, rather a jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva. There are a few legends associated with sions. It is only recently that Ravana worship commenced on Dussehra in a big way Ravana and this site. Some legends believe that Ravana worshipped Shiva at this – otherwise, the temple was treated just like any other temple. Ravana’s wife spot for a long time and, hence, a temple came up on the same place to mark the his- Mandodari is believed to be from Vidisha. torical event. While another legend has it that once Ravana was on his way to Lanka Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh from Baijanath with a rare Shivalinga in his hands. But, he was tricked by the gods Another of Ravana’s temples in Madhya Pradesh, this one is said to be important to put down the Shivalinga on the ground at this very site. As a result, the Shivalinga as Ravana and Mandodari are said to have wed here. got permanently installed even though Ravana tried hard to remove it. Baijanath is The temple is an elaborate structure. Along with Ravana, there are also other full of temples and even other touristy sites. The views of Dhauladhar mountain female deities who are present inside the temple and are worshipped. Texts in the range infuse new life into the soul. script from Harappan civilisation is found next to the deities indicating that the tem- Bisrakh, Uttar Pradesh ple is extremely old. This is one of the most famous and well-known Ravana temples. Ravana is wor- Mandor, Rajasthan shipped as God in this region and Dusshera is not celebrated here by burning Well, not exactly a temple temple but the Dave brahmins of Mandor are believed to Ravana effigies. Bisrakh is special as it is Ravana’s birthplace and many elders still be direct descendants of Ravana. As descendants of Ravana, they do not celebrate visit the place to mourn the once-great king. Navratri is the festival mourning in this Dussehra as on that day Rama killed and vanquished Ravana. Instead, they perform township. There are many havans held during Navratri to pay respects and homage shraddh and offer pind daan on Dueeshra. They perform all the rituals of shraddh to Ravana. that a son performs for his father/ancestors and pray for the liberation of his soul. Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh A Ravana temple has been set up in Jodhpur India where daily, the king is prayed Though not very well-known, the Ravana temple in Kakinada region of Andhra and worshipped. Story of Sukrala Mata SHIV RAM MALGURIA lessness because he was no more a King of Chamba at that ive hundred years ago a great poet Trilochan lived time. in the village Sukrala. In his early age, he went to Thakur made a prophecy that he (Mehad) will attain the FKashmir to attain religious education. After crown of Chamba Kingdom very soon. After listening to attaining his religious and spiritual knowledge, he decided Thakur's words he promises to construct Mata's Temple at to come back to his village Sukrala. While departing Sukrala. When he accepted the desire of Mata Sukrala Trilochan's Guru gave him some coins to spend on meals Prince's pain subsided and he became alright. and to meet other needs during his journey. When he After three days, a message came from Chamba to the reached Baramullah, he purchased Hawan material (Pooja King of Billawar that King of Chamba is no more in this Samagri) and started Hawan (Yagya) there. After he world and Prince Mehad Singh is the only person to wear exhausted whole material in oblations, he started offering the crown of Chamba Kingdom. This way Prince Mehad his body piece in place of material and ultimately he decid- Singh regained the crown of Chamba Kingdom. ed to offer his head, but when he raised his sharp edged King Mehad Singh due to his busy schedule forgot the weapon to cut his head, Mata Sukrala (Younger sister of promise made to construct a temple of Mata Sukrala. Mata Vaishno Devi) appeared and stopped him from tak- After a gap of two years king of Noorpur attacked ing such a drastic step. This way Mata Sukrala (Mata Chamba and conquered his Kingdom and also arrested Mal) gave darshan to Bhagat Trilochan. At the time he Raja Mehad Singh. One day Mata Sukrala appeared in urged Mata to settle in Billawar (Jammu province). Mata Raja Mehad Singh's dream and reminded him of his prom- accepted the desire of her disciple and promised to settle ise. Raja of Noorpur also saw Mata Sukrala in dream who there and also said that a member of your third generation asked him to release Raja of Chamba and return his will become my Poojari. After uttering these words, Mata Kingdom. Next day Raja of Noorpur released him and disappeared from his sight, In Bhagat Trilochan's 3rd gen- gave him back his Kingdom. eration, his grandson Shiv Nandan became Mata's Poojari When Raja Mehad Singh reached Chamba he along with (Bhagat). He was also a great scholar like his grandfather. his family members marched towards Sukrala on foot car- One day the Goddess appeared in Shiv Nandan's dream rying stones, water and other building material on their and told him about the promise made with his grand heads. The construction work started and was completed father. She also told him that she has accordingly chosen in the course of time. For the construction of Sukrala tem- him as her Poojari (Bhagat). ple no local material or means were used. The whole mate- Mata Directed Shiv Nanadan to go in a Jungle, where he rial was carried from Chamba to Sukrala. After the com- would find a white flower creeper and under that creeper pletion of temple a big Hawan was arranged in which great would be lying and extra ordinary idol. As per Mata's scholars, pandits, participated. When the Hawan was per- instructions given in dream, he reached the place and formed, Mata blessed King Mehad Singh, his family mem- found the idol of Mata Sukrala. bers and also asked him to see the Kingdom of Chamba Sukrala Mata Temple and its people. After the death of Raja Chamba (H.P) his elder son, Location of Sukrala Temple Mehad Singh became the Raja of Chamba, but his younger Mata Sukrala is linked with Jammu, Kathua, brother who was an active politician usurped his crown Udhampur, Pathankot and other parts of the country. All and became the King of Chamba. When prince Mehad the buses reach Billawar bus stand where from they move Singh was exiled from Chamba Kingdom, he came to to Sukrala which is about 9 kms from Billawar. Bus serv- Billawar. The King of Billawar was his relative who asked ice is available after every hour and one has to pay reason- Mehad to live in Billawar. able money to reach there.