Kapaleeshwar Temple at Nashik – A Rare Shiva Temple without Nandi

Kapaleeshwar Temple is located at Ramkund near the banks of river Godavari in Nashik, Maharashtra. This is a very rare temple dedicated to Lord Shiva as there is no murti of Nandi facing the Shivling in the temple.

Legend has it that Shiva roamed around the earth after cutting off the fifth head of Brahma. He was looking for redemption of sin he commited by cutting the fifth head of Brahma.

It is said that at Ramkund, Nandi advised Shiva to have a holy dip in the Godavari River for redemption of sin.

Shiva attained redemption from sin.

Pleased with this act, Lord Shiva took Nandi as one of his gurus and so there is no murti of Nandi outside the Kapaleeshwar Temple at Ramkund.

Every monday Aarti is performed at Ramkund. After the aarti Lord Shivas idol is put in a "Palkhi" and taken to the Kapaleeshwar Temple. Another aarti is performed inside the temple. This ancient temple is also considered as equivalent to visiting 12 jyotirlings in the world.

Nashik - A Historical Perspective

Nashik is one of the most important cities of Northern Maharashtra. Nashik, in Maharashtra, is situated at a distance of 200 km from Mumbai (Bombay) as well as Pune. The city has become the center of attraction because of its beautiful surroundings and cool and pleasant climate. Nashik has a personality of its own due to its mythological, historical, social and cultural importance. The city, vibrant and active on the industrial, political, social and cultural fronts, has influenced the lives of many a great personalities. The river Godavari flows through the city. Temples and ghats on the banks of Godavari have made Nashik one of the holiest places for Hindus all over the World.

A historic perspective: -

Ramayana Period

Rama-lakshman-sita-kalaram-mandir-nashik No one knows when the city of Nashik came into existence. It is stated to have been present even in the stone age. Lord Ramchandra along with wife Sita and brother Laxman settled down in Nashik for the  major time of their "Vanwasa". According to the mythology, Laxman cut the nose ("Nasika" in Sanskrita) of "Shurpanakha" and hence the city got the name 'Nashik'.  Long ago, Brahmadeva had meditated in  "Padmasana" here, so the city was also called "Padma-Aasana" for some time. It is also believed that, Lord  Vishnu had defeated the three demons and thus city also had the name "Tri-Kantak" (Tri = Three). 

During Peshwa's period

In the recent past, the Moguls were fascinated by the beauty of the city and renamed it as "Gulshanabad" meaning the city of gardens. Beautiful fresh flowers were sent to Aurangazeb from Gulshanabad i.e. Nashik. But it was during the rule of the Peshwas, when the place was finally renamed as Nashik. During the Peshwas period, Raghobadada and his wife Anandibai settled down at 'Anandwalli' in Nashik. There re some remains of Anandibai's fort. There is also a temple called 'Navasha Ganapati' built by Anandibai. It was during the British rule in April 1818, when Nashik once again regained its importance. The British fell in love with the beauty of the city and developed it in various fields. The Golf course, developed by  the British, was one of the largest in Asia.  Nashik is surrounded by nine hills, namely: Durga, Ganesh, Chitraghanta, Pandav, DingerAli, Mhasarul, Jogwada, Pathanpura and Konkani.  This beautiful city with  hills surrounding it has lakes, adding to its beauty.

Rise & Growth Of National Movement

In 1869 the region came to enjoy unbroken peace. In 1869 Nashik was made a full-fledged district with its present talukas. With the return of peace  Nashik flourished into prosperity. Reasons, political, religious, as well as commercial led to its rapid development. With the construction of the railway, going  from  Bombay to north-east, from very near the city, religious minded devotees came to be attracted to The town in ever increasing numbers where they made their purchases of various artistic & useful articles. This made Nashik a great trade centre where artisans skilled in manufacturing utensils & smiths  excelling in workmanship in silver & gold  crowded to ply their trade. Already Nashik was a highly flourishing town even under later Maratha rule & some time during that period  the sow car families like barves, Vaishampayans & Gadres of the locality started their financial  activity. Under Maratha rule they advanced sums to finance military campaigns of feudal Sardars  & in their later times their Pedhi’s gradually began to finance the flourishing  trade in metalware & fabrics as well as grapes & onions. By the middle of 19th century the British Rule  was firmly established & the public life of Nashik began to pulsating with activities suited to the times. In 1840 was established a ‘ Native Library  Nashik’ . In 1861 an Anglo-vernacular school was started & 1864, The town came to have a municipality of  its own.

Why is Ganesha idol immersed in Water after Ganesh Chaturthi festival?

Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations end with the immersion or Visarjan of clay Ganapati idol in water. Hindus worship Brahman or the Supreme Soul present in all animate and inanimate. But for majority of the people it is not possible to worship this formlessness. They need a form to pray to, to seek help, to cry and to take blessings. Ganesha is ‘OM’ the primordial sound or the first ‘Vaak.’ Nirguna Para Brahman takes the form of Ganesha.

Clay and water is mixed to give form to the formlessness. Each person brings Ganesha in clay idol form into the home. This is the Supreme Being arriving at home. After the celebrations, it is time to accept the eternal cosmic law that which took form has to become formless again. It is a never ending cycle (Chakra).

The formlessness giving way to form and then moving again towards formlessness. Each year Ganesha arrives to teach us that forms change but the Supreme Truth remains the same. Body perishes but Brahman residing in it remains constant. This body becomes energy for another but the source of energy is the same. Bliss is achieved when we realize this.

The act also symbolizes the concept of Moksha, or liberation, in Hinduism. Osho says – ‘Absolute unclinging. That is what is meant by Moksha – freedom – no clinging, not even to gods.’ Thus we create Ganesha out of clay, worship it and later it is submerged (Visarjan).

Important: Use only clay Ganesh idol and please do not throw plastic in water. Perform a symbolic immersion in a bucket of water and then use it to water plants.

Ganesh Visarjan 2016

Ganesh Chaturthi festival ends with the Visarjan or immersion of the idols in water. Ganesh visarjan ceremony normally takes place on the Ananta Chaturdasi day, which falls 12 days after the Ganesh Chaturthi day. In 2016, date of Ganesh Visarjan as per tradition is on September 15. But there are people who do the immersion ceremony before the main Visarjan day of Ananta Chaturdasi.

Ganesh Visarjan 2016 Dates
One and half day Ganesh Visarjan – 6/09/2016
Third Day Ganpati Visarjan – 7/09/2016
Fifth Day Ganesh Visarjan – 9/09/2016 (along with Jyeshta Gauri)
Seventh Day Ganesh Visarjan – 11/09/2016
Tenth Day Ganesh Visarjan – 14/09/2016
Anant Chaturdashi last day of Ganesh Visarjan – 15/09/2016

There are no strict rules; usually the Ganesh Visarjan ceremony depends on family tradition. Symbolically, Lord Ganesha visits the home on Ganesh Chaturthi day and it is for the family to decide when they want to give him the farewell.

 There are several families that perform the Ganesh Visarjan ceremony on the very next day after Vinayaka Chaturthi. Other dates that are chosen for Ganapati immersion are 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th and the Ananta Chaurdasi day after Ganesh Chaturthi. 

Please make sure that you do not immerse any plastic waste along with the clay Ganesha idol and be proudly part of the eco-friendly Ganesh festival. Use clay idol and immerse only the soluble parts. You can also symbolically sprinkle water on the Ganesh idol. You can also immerse Ganesha in a bucket of water at home and then use it to water plants. If you are using idol of metal, then it can be reused next year.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2016!

Ganesh Chaturthi also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi is one of the important Hindu festivals celebrated throughout India with a great devotion. This day is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Lord Ganesh is the symbol of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on Shukla Chaturthi of the Hindu month of Bhadra (generally falls between August and September). This festival is celebrated by Hindus with a great enthusiasm. People bring idols of Lord Ganesh to their homes and do worship. The duration of this festival varies from a day and a half, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days or 11 days, depending on the place and tradition. On the last day of the festival the idols are taken out in a colorful and musical procession and immersed traditionally in water.

As per Hindu mythology Lord Ganesh is considered as "Vigana Harta" (one who removes obstacles) and "Buddhi Pradaayaka" (one who grants intelligence). This festival is very important for students; they worship Lord Ganesh to illumine their minds.

In 2016, GANESH CHATURTHI will be celebrated on the 5th September, 2016 - Monday.

 

Lord Vinayaka, Ganesh ji, Ganpati ji, Vinayaka is the darling of the masses. Ganesh Chaturthi brings people of all religion, caste and creed together.

The Ganesh Chaturthi 2016 Puja Muhurut to bring the Vigraha / Idol home is during the Shubh, Labh or Amrit Choghadiya. If you intend to bring Ganpati ji one day before, i.e. on the 4th September 2016, the Labh time is between09:33 to 11:05 and the Amrit time is 11:05 to 12:37. Ganpati ji can also be brought home (Avahana or Welcome) during the Shubh time which is between 14:10 to 15:42. The Muhurut for evening time would be the Shubh time which is between 18:47 to 21:42. Please note these Timings are as per panchang of Mumbai, India.

The Ganesh Staphna (installation of the Idol) on Ganesh Chaturthi day, i.e. on 5th September 2016 can be done at Amrit time between 06:28 to 08:00 or Shubh Time i.e. between 09:32 to 11:05. Ganesh Pooja is preferred during Madhyanhana on Ganesh Chaturthi as it is believed that Lord Ganesh was born during Madhyahana Kaal which is between 14:09 and 15:42. The Muhurut time specified above is the best Muhurut to perform the Ganesh Puja and to perform any work.

On the last day of worship the idol is taken out in a colourful and musical procession to be immersed traditionally at a beach.

This is one of the most popular festivals in the Country. There are several reasons for this. Ganpati is after all a popular God. His blessings are invoked at most religious ceremonies as He is the one who can remove all obstacles to success. He is the giver of fortune and can help to avoid natural calamities.

Ganpati, the god of wisdom and the benevolent deity of the dynasty of Peshwas who ruled Maharashtra inculcating a special culture in the state. Ganpati is the herald of auspicious beginnings and is the beloved deity of all.

Wish you a Happy and a Blessed Ganesh Chaturthi 2016!

Ganpati Bappa Morya!!

Jalicha Dev( God of Net): Tal. Ajanta, Dis. Jalna, Maharashtra, India

            Maharashtra is blessed with lot of beautiful places and nature, some of well knows and some are not. Here I am going to discuss about my experience about a place near Ajanta Caves called as Jalicha Dev(God of Net). It is one of name given to one of God belong to Mahanubhav Panth( Mahanubhav Religion).

            
            Our journey began right from the Nashik at 10pm on the day before we wanted to visit the place. We were about to run for 320 KM from our location, first destination was to achieve Ajanta Village. Around 27 KM away from the destination, we were in our Ciaz(Car) and rapidly achieving location. Around at 2:30 am we crossed Ajanta and turned to Jalicha Dev. Road conditions up to Ajanta is good as it is one of historic place on India, but after Ajanta village for next 27 KMs road is damn irritating to drive for a Sedan. This way we achieved spot from the front of the temple from where car can be directly touch the entrance gate and there is no any climbing or trekking of the hill or mountain. There’s a second wat to achieve spot from back of the temple from where we have fight against 1200-1300 steps from the Jungle atmosphere through the world of Monkeys and wild cats.

        
           Jalicha dev welcomes you with all Ashrams starting right from the start of village. We touched there at 4.30am after struggling journey, and stayed in ashram for 2 hours, and sign out ashram with a fresh mood and chilling wind of the mountain. Jalicha dev has amazing Sunrise and sunset points to visit too. Temple was renewed recently from the fund by donators.

            Story of jalicha dev has being told is, long ago in 13^th century when Shri Chakradhar Swami was passing through the Dark jungle found four baby tigers sat under web of tree-branches with frightened faces as their mom was not there may be out for food. He went to them and started playing with those tigers just to make them fearless. After some time, tigress came and saw her kids playing with Him, and she sat beside not harming Him. At that time there were a dark jungle and lot of green nets were formed, so at that location Chakradhar Swami is named as Jalicha Dev.

            There are some stalls selling holy materials outside of temple. After Pooja we were out, seeking for food to kill hunger for a whole night. There is no any restaurant, there in the village, just has some small Dhabas(Inns), but don’t expect a full meal from them. Keeping control on hunger I drove car to Ajanta and some good hotels were there to have a lunch. After it we were out for Nashik again and while returning there was a bit traffic while passing through Ellora so we were 1 Hr late coming home.   

-Shreyas Koshti

           

Chakradhar Swami Jalicha Dev

Back Side stairs

Front of Temple

In Rains

See Where it is

Stairs