Among the temples of Lord Shiva,
the only temple with ATHMA LINGA is present at GOKARNA on the Arabian Sea Coast
in Karnataka State of India. The temple is famously known as MAHABALESHWAR
TEMPLE. The Shiva Linga is facing towards the Sea and is pious Hence it is
known as Dakshin Kashi.
Architecture of Temple: Dravidian Style.
SthalaPuran:
Demon king RAVANA’s Mother is a
great devotee of Lord Shiva. She was worshipping a Shiva Linga to bring
prosperity to her son.
The Lord of heaven, Indra who loses
his war to RAVANA feels jealous of this worship. Steals the worshipped Shiva
Linga and throws away in the sea. Mother of RAVANA says the happened thing to
her son and asks to get the ATHMA LINGA of Lord Shiva.
RAVANA performs a deep penance for
the sake of ATHMA LINGA at MOUNT KAILASH to please Lord Shiva. Indra, the
heaven king who knows that if RAVANA attains ATHMA LINGA, Lanka (His Kingdom)
will never be conquered approaches to Lord Vishnu with the help of NARADA and
pleads him for help. Lord Vishnu promises his help to them.
RAVANA completes his penance and
Lord Shiva appears before him along with Goddess Parvathi his consort. When
Lord Shiva asks RAVANA about his wish, he asks Goddess Parvathi as wife instead
of ATHMA LINGA. This is because of his mind changed by Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva
gives away his wife and RAVANA takes her to LANKA. On the way to LANKA who ever
sees RAVANA with Goddess Parvathi gets afraid as goddess doesn’t look like a
beautiful lady but looks like KALIKA DEVI to everyone.
RAVANA’s mother who came to know
that her son has brought Goddess Parvathi as wife scolds her son and asks to
send her back to KAILASH. RAVANA on the saying of NARADA thinks SHIVA has not
given the real PARAVATHI ignores his mother. He goes to PATHALA and marries
MANDODARI thinking as Parvathi. Later RAVANA realizing the plot done against
him through his mother, goes back to KAILASH to perform penance again. LORD
SHIVA who was angry with RAVANA for his earlier boon didn’t accept his Penance
this time. RAVANA in anger tries to lift MOUNT KAILASH, when Lord Shiva makes
him fail in it. He regrets for his doing and decides to give away his life.
Demon King RAVANA, Chops his one of
the ten heads. He made a harp with threads drawn from his skin and Intestine. Lord
Shiva pleased with the devotional worship appears before RAVANA and firstly
gives his life back. RAVANA as a boon asks for the ATHMA LINGA of Lord SHIVA
which was given by the mighty lord. Lord instructs RAVANA not to place ATHMA
LINGA on ground till it was defied at the final destination. If it was placed,
all the powers would return to Lord Shiva again.
RAVANA starts his journey to LANKA
and was nearing Gokarna. Lord Vishnu blots the sun and give the appearance of
dusk. RAVANA to perform rituals of evening worries about the ATHMA LINGA in his
hands. Lord Ganesh, comes in the form of a Brahmin boy. RAVANA asks the Brahmin
boys help. When Lord Ganesh makes a deal with him saying, “ I would call
thrice, if you have not returned in time. I would place the LINGA on ground.”
Lord Ganesh, in the form of Brahmin
boy places the ATHMA LINGA on ground at Gokarna before Ravana could complete
his evening rituals. Lord Vishnu removes the appearance of dusk and the
daylight comes back. RAVANA realizing that he is tricked beats the Brahmin boy
when NARADA stops him to look at the LINGA first. RAVANA tries to pluck the
ATHMA LINGA from earth with all the strength he got and fails. While exerting
such great pressure some pieces broke from the LINGA and has fallen in
different places.
a.
A piece from head is said to be fallen at the
Surathkal.
b.
The covering of ATHMA Linga has fallen at
Sajjeshwara.
c.
The lid of the case is thrown to a place called
Guneshwara ( called Gunavanthe) and Dhareshwara.
d.
The cloth covering the ATHMA LINGA to
MURUDESHWARA in Kanduka Hill which is earlier known as Mrideshwara.
The ATHMA LINGA was exerted with more pressure from RAVANA
and finally he fails. As he fails for this strength, it is known as
MAHABALESHWAR. The LINGA takes the form of an cow ear finally and hence the
name came as Gokarna which means COW-EAR.
Other temples:
Sri MAHA GANAPATHI Temple:
A Granite image of Lord Vignesha who deceived RAVANA a
temple is built in this area. The statue is 5 foot and on top of head there is
a hole which is stated to be a mark of a violent blow conjectured to have been
inflicted by RAVANA. The temple is well known as SIDDHA GANAPATHI.
GOGARBHA:
This is a secret cave which shows the way to KASHI for the
sages who did penance. It is still visited by SAGES and used as a resting
place.
KOTITEERTHA:
It’s a man-made place for having ritual bath. The Pond is
well constructed with temples around and a small platform in center.
TOURISM:
Like GOA, GOKARNA also is visited by most of the foreigners
and have many hidden places to live. There are famous and safe beaches all
around this place.
PUJA RITUALS @ MAHABALESHWAR TEMPLE:
My experience is rare and just like as in KASHI VISHWESWARA
TEMPLE, I have touched the MAHA LINGA. I performed RUDRABHISHEKHA inside the
temple and has done the ABHISHEKHA directly to the SHIVA LINGA with NAVADHANYA.
This is not as a shortcut we usually see at the temples, this is permitted to
all pilgrims with a fee structure.