C R GOWRI SHANKER
Locals revive Bhavani temple which Shivaji built in Medak
Chatrapati Shivaji frequented this temple
But much folklore surrounds the ancient Bhavani or Tulja Bhavani temple constructed by the Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji in the remote Bhavaniammapally village of Medak district.
The village in Zaheerabad mandal was originally called Bhavaniammapalle after the Goddess. It was changed to Khanjomalpur by later Muslim rulers.
Shivaji, an ardent devotee of Goddess Tulja Bhavani, reportedly camped in this small hamlet during his campaigns against Mughal rulers and constructed the temple.
The temple is still intact, barring damage to its outer compound wall. It is now being reconstructed by devotees led by Mr E. Vittal Goud and his team, who have constituted a temple committee.
The temple area is spread over 10 acres. Interestingly, just opposite the Tulja Bhavani temple is a small but rare temple of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
Shivaji frequented the Tulja Bhavani temple in Tuljapur in Osmanabad district of Maharashtra. It is the family deity of the Bhosale royal family and one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. It is believed that the Goddess gave him a sword for the success in his expeditions.
“It is a very powerful deity and people come from all parts of the state, from Karnataka and also from Maharashtra. It is believed the Goddess fulfils one’s wishes. Elders say that the Goddess left for Tuljapur and after that the locals neglected her,” Mr Vittal Goud said.
Rumours also speak of a tunnel linking it to Tuljapur in Maharashtra, and a treasure trove in the sanctum sanctorum. But this has not been proven.
“We did see an underground room which might have been used by Shivaji Maharaj for hiding arms. It is now covered by granite. There is no trace of tunnel,’’ Mr Goud told this correspondent.
The temple also has idols of Kalika Devi and Parasuram. The priests are Marathas.
A three-day jatra is celebrated annually during March/April, mostly during Hanuman Jayanthi. “On Purnima, we organise anna daanam. We came to know that some people in Naldurg in Maharashtra and Bidar are linked to the temple. But we could not trace them,’’ he said.
TULJA BHAVANI IN TULJAPUR
Tuljapur, the one amongst three and half Shakti Peethas (abodes of cosmic powers) of the state, is situated in Maharashtra, wherein resides the Mother Goddess Tulja Bhavani.
She is also fondly revered as Aai (mother) Ambabai, Jagdamba, Tukai by her devotees who throng in millions to Tuljapur for her Darshan and for seeking her blessings.
As a divine Mother, she protects her children from the sins of evil desires, selfishness, jealousy, hatred, anger and ego. At the same time, TuljaBhavani symbolizes the power of the Supreme Being that maintains moral order and righteousness in the universe.
It is dedicated to Goddess Bhavani, who is also known as Parvati. This temple is among the 51 Shakti Pithas, believed to be sacred places connected to the divine feminine energy.
The historical significance of the temple dates back to the 12th century when it was built by Mahamandaleshwara Māradadeva of the Kadamb dynasty. According to legend, a saint named Kardam and his wife Anubhuti worshipped here. After Kardam’s death, Anubhuti sought the goddess’s protection from a demon named Kukur. After killing the demon, the goddess became known as Tulja Bhavani and is now worshipped atop the Bala Ghat.
The Temple of Tulja Bhavani is located 45 km from Solapur in the Dharashiv district. The temple is open from 4:00 am to 10:00 pm daily.
Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha kingdom, often visited this temple seeking blessings. This temple is one of the four great Shaktipithas of Maharashtra, which also include the temples of Renuka at Mahur, Mahalaxmi at Kolhapur, and Saptashringi at Vani.
In Sri Sakanda Purana, the avatar story of this goddess is given as follows. After the death of Sage Kardam in Krita Yuga, his wife Anubhuti decided to cohabit with her husband. But as she had a minor son, other sages persuaded her, so she gave up the plan for the sake of the minor son and started doing penance on the banks of Mandakini river.
At that time, a demon named Kukar tried to break her fever and celibacy. Anubhuti cried out to Shri Bhagwati at the time of distress and Shri Bhagwati incarnated and killed the evil demon and at the request of Anubhuti he lived forever on the mountain Yamunachal (Bala Ghat).
Three Places of Triune Adisakti in India 1. Mahakali, Calcutta Tamogunataka, 2. Shree Mahalakshmi, Kolhapur Rajogunatak 3. Mahasaraswati, Mahur are famous sattvaka.
The position of Shri Bhavani is considered to be trigunatic i.e. the adhisthana of all the above three degrees.
When Prabhuramchandran was in exile, in search of Sitamai, Sri Bhagwati gave him darshan and blessed him that Sitamai would be found soon.
Tulja Bhavani Temple, Tuljapur
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