About Tuljabhavani
Tuljabhavani is important and most revered godess in Maharashtra.
It is
located at Tuljapur District Osmanabad in Maharashra.
It is family godess (kuldaivata) of many families in Maharashtra
and other
states also. Tuljabhavani also known as 'Turja' is amongst three
and half
(sade teen) godess centres (shaktipeethas) of Maharashtra and
fifty one
shakipeethas of India. The pilgrims come to Tuljapur from entire
Maharshtra and other states also.
In ancient India there was a king named Dushyanta. His son's
name was Bharat. India is named after this Bharat. In the ancient India
there were two forests named Naimishya Aranya and Dandakaryna.
Marathawada which is part of Maharashtra is situated in this ancient
Dandakaryna. This was known as Yamunachala Parvat (mountain) alias Balaghat.
Tuljapur is situated in the hilly area of Yamunachala. In this area the
self immerged idol (Swaymbhu Murti) which is made of Shaligram (non perishable
stone) is situated. The installation (Sthapana) of the godess is not
static but dynamic as compared to other temples. In other temples idol is
fixed or static. But here the idol is not static but it is 'chala' i.e.
it can be moved. The installation ceremony of this idol was done by
Adya Shankaracharya on Sriyantra in ancient times. By nonstatic
or 'Chala' it means that this idol is taken out from SriYantra
thrice a year for pradakhina and once the pradaskina or pratikrama is
done by the idol along with SriYantra, Mahadeo and Khanderao.
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Tuljabhavani Temple
The architecture of the Tuljabhavani temple is of Hemadpanti
style, which was prevailant and famous in early Indian era.
While entering the Tuljabhavani temple there are two big gates or
Mahadwars. After entering the temple first we observe Kallol
Tirtha
which is a combination of one hundred and eigth tirthas or sacred
waters.
After walking down few steps ahead we come to Gomukh Tirtha, from
where
water flows continueously. Ahead of Gomukh there is temple of
Siddivinayaka.
Thereafter we come accross a well designed and decorated gate
which
was constructed by Sardar Nimbalkar . After entering the gate we
find
idol of sage (Rishi) Markendeya on left side and big drum
(Nagara) on
right side. Thereafter there is 'Hom kunda' or fire vessel. At
the
bottom of Homkunda there lies 'Rakta Bhairva' who is among the
eight
bhairavas or guards of deity. There is one brass gate which is
facing
towards south. After entering main room (Gabhara) one can see
original
(Swayambhu) idol of Tuljabhavani which is installed on throne and
studded
with ornaments. The 'Darshan' or observation of idol pleases our
mind.
There is one silver cot (Palang) near main room on which Bhavani
sleeps
or goes for 'Nidra'. Opposite of Palang there is idol (Pind) of
Mahdev.
One can observe Bhavani and Shankar sitting opposite of each
other. The
temple is of Hemadpanti style. There is silver ring (Kadi) on one
of the
pillars. There is a legend regarding this pillar. If there is
ache in any
part of body because of hitting, the touch of this ring for seven
days
will reduce the body pain. When we come out we observe godess
Yallama.
Nearby there is idol of god Narsinha who is 4th Avatara of Lord
Vishnu.
Devotee of this deity is Nandibuwa who is Brahmin. Then we can
observe
deity Rudravatar Khanderaya which is near west facing gate of the
temple.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used to come for Darshan through this
gate.
There is one stone sphere named as Shakunwanti. People believe
that this
is a magic stone. If hand is gently kept on this stone and
question is
asked intitutively the answer yes or no will be indicated by
movement of
stone sphere. If answer is positive the sphere will turn
rightwards . If
the answer is negative turns left. If the sphere remains static
it implies
that the desired work will be done slowly. Above are beliefs of
devotees.
After passing by this magic stone there is idol of Lord Datta
which is
Ekmukhi i.e. having one head. All the ornaments of godess are
kept in
'Jamdarkhana'. This ornaments are worn by godess at the time of
festival.
One of the ornaments is gold chain of 108 gold idols i.e.
'Putlees' which
is donated by Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
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Nidra of Tuljabhavani (Sleeping of Deity)
The deity is believed to be going for sleep thrice in a year.
Following are the periods during which the deity goes for sleep.
1. Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtamee to Amavasya
2. Ashwin Shuddha Dashmee to Amavasya
3. Pousha Pratipada to Saptmee
During the year the deity sleeps for 20 days. In case of
Vridhi of
Tithee the period of sleep is 21 days. In case of Kshaya of
Tithee
the sleep period is reduced to 19 days.
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Important Events and festivals
Sharadiya Navratri -
This is the main festival of Tuljabhavni. This festival runs
for 9 days.
It starts on Ashvin Pratipada and ends on Dushmee or Dussera.
During
this festival various religious ceremonies are performed throuh
priests
or brahmins. Importants ceremonies are Durgasapatashati Path
(Enchanting of
religious rhymes), Navgraha Jap, Abhisheks, various fire
ceremonies like
Homas. These religious ceremonies start on Ashtmee or eight day
of month
Ashwina and end on Dashmee. Poornahooti is offered to deity and
also some
sacrifice is offered to deity.
There are three types of 'Nidras' or slumber of deity
Mohnidra
This event takes place on Ashivana Shuddha Dashami.
At the time of this Nidra the idol of deity with full worn sari
is
taken out of the the inner room or Garbhgriha of the temple.
Procession
of the idol takes place wherein the idol rests in Palkhi . After
completion of Pradakshina or full round of the temple the deity
rests
on the Palanga or special cot meant for sleeping of deity.
Ghornidra
This event takes place on Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami. Here the
idol
of the deity is applied with turmeric and kept on special silever
cot
or Palanga which is there for sleeping of deity.
Mayanidra
This event takes place on Pousha Shuddha Pratipada. Here the
idol
of the deity is applied with turmeric and kept on special silver
cot
or Palanga which is there for sleeping of deity.
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Idol of Tuljabhavani
The idol of the deity is the original idol (Swaymbhu Murti)
which is
made of Shaligram (black non perishable stone). The installation
of
the idol of deity is of 'Devipanchayatana' type. The idol is
having
eight hands. One hand is holding the hairs of a monster or Daitya
and
other hand contains Trishula or trident which is piercing the
chest of
the monster or Daitya. Below the leg of the idol lies Daitya or
monster
Mahishasura in whose chest the Trishula or trident appears to be
inserted.
This shows that the deity is killing the monster Mahishasura. On
the
right hand of the idol a lion is there which is 'Wahana' (vehicle
of
the deity on which the deity usually rides). Near the idol one
can see
the sage or Rishi Markendeya who is reciting Puranas or Hindu
mythology.
There is image of moon near the idol. One can see the image of
sun on the
right hand of the idol. In each hand of the idol one can see
weapons or
Ayudhas like Chakra, Gada, Trishula, Ankush, Dhanu, Pash. On the
right
side of the idol one can observe lady Anubhuti worshiping the
deity. The
lady Anubhati was the wife of Brahmin Kardama. Above the
head
of the idol there is small idol or 'Pindi' of lord Mahadeva. Also
there
is Swayanbhu Muguta or self immerged crown on the head of the
deity.
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History of Tuljabhavani
The history of the deity dates back to Puranas or Hindu
mythology. One
can find references about Tuljabhavani in Markendeya Purana.
'Durga
Saptashati' which is Sanskrita epic about the godess contains
thirteen
chapters or Adhyaayas and seven hundred Shlokas or rhymes. This
epic
is a part of Markendeya Purana or mythological work by sage or
Rishi
Markendeya. In this treatise the spiritual meaning and way
towards
Karma - doings, Bhakti - devotion and Dyana - Knowledge has been
shown.
Other source of history is Devi Bhagvata.
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Story of Tuljabhavani
There lived in "Krityuga" simple Brahmin sage by name Kardama.
The name of his wife was Anubhuti. She was endowed with beauty
like Rati & many good qualities. When her died, she begain preparation
for " Sutee". At that juncture Divine Broadcast advised " that woman
with young child need not go " Sutee". Thereafter she changed her mind
& decided to practice penance in the beautiful surroundings of the river
MANDAKANI. Anubhuti was Yogi. KUKAR the king of Deman saw her while she
was in state of SAMADHI.Gaging at her charming beauty, sinful desire of
lust sprang in the mind of KUKAR. At first he tried to win her with sweet
word & having failed in attempt, with his brute force tried to commit breach
of her chastity & also of her penance. Then Anubhuti prayed the GODDESS
for mercy & begain to cry for help. Tulja Bhavani reponded to call &
appeared immediately at the place of penance to kill the Demon KUKAR. When
Tuljabhavani determined to kill the demon Kukar & began to with him, the
KUAKR changed the form & assumed form of a buffalo ( MAHIASH ) & began to
dance on the battlefield. On Ashwin Shudha 10, the goddess killed KUAKR &
hence the day is celeberated as " VIJAYA DASHAMI. As goddess responded &
rushed in haste for the protection of her devotees ,so she is called
" TWARITA". Tulja is Marathi form of Twarita & goddess is known as
Tulja Bhavani.
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Nine Rupa's of Tuljabhavani
In mythology nine Rupa's or forms of the deity are refered.
1. Shailaputri
2. Brahmacharini
3. Chandraghanta
4. Kushmanda
5. Skandhamata
6. Katyayani
7. Kalratri
8. Mahagauri
9. Sidhhiratri
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Devotion, faith, worship of the deity
In 12th Chapter or Adhyaya of Durgasaptashati the deity
herself has
told regarding her worship, devotion and other HOMA karmas or
fire
ceremonies. Her worship results in peace of mind, destruction of
fear
and poverty, relief from physical disorders. A true devotee of
the
godess who worships her in true sense will always be bestowed
with
good health, mental peace, finanicial upliftment, peacefull
sleep,
gain of knowledge. There is a strong belief in devotees of the
deity
that they will be gaining above said things if they perform
worship
or religious ceremonies of godess Tuljabhavani. Many devotees
have
experienced this and that is the reason why there is crowd of
devotees
at Tuljabhavani Temple.
Many devotees perform these vidhis in their absense as it is
not
possible for them to visit the Temple in Person on specified
auspicious
day.
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performing Pooja or any vidhi listed in the page for Vidhis.