Like each area of India, Mithila additionally is stuffed with Devi temples. I noticed lots of them at Darbhanga, nevertheless, most of them are new. Historic Devi temple of Mithila embrace Uchhaith Bhagwati Temple and Ahilya Sthan, each of that are talked about in our Indian Scriptures.
We visited each these temples on our approach to Janakpur – the traditional capital of Mithila.
Uchhaith Bhagwati Temple
Uchhaith Bhagwati will get her identify from the village that can also be known as Uchhaith. It lies on the trail that many Rishi Munis took to go to Himalayas. Sure, it’s within the foothills of the Himalayas, very near Janakpur.
Temple story additionally says that Sri Ram additionally visited this temple on his approach to Janakpur. Certainly, the Ahilya Sthan story that we’ll go to in a minute too, corroborates this story.
Kalidasa Story
Story goes that Kalidasa was a idiot with no data. He was married to a really realized Vidyottama, by trick. When she came upon about Kalidasa, she kicked him out and instructed him to return solely when he has sufficient data. It’s believed that Kalidasa began working at a Sanskrit Pathshala close to Uchhaith.
Being a Durga devotee, he used to go to and lightweight a lamp within the temple day by day. One stormy night time, he crossed the river with nice issue to mild the lamp. Devi was happy along with his devotion. She appeared earlier than him and requested him to hunt a boon. Kalidasa, in fact, requested for data and was awarded that present. He went on to turn into the best poet the world has seen.
Chhinmasta
You see a giant Machh Dwar saying the temple, with two big golden fishes. The trail resulting in the temple is stuffed with outlets promoting Puja objects and prasad. Contained in the compound there are distributors promoting flowers, coconuts, chunris, surrounding the temple in purple.
That is an historical temple devoted to Bhagwati within the type of Chhinmasta – the one with a severed head. She is among the Sprint Mahavidyas. Within the Garbhagriha, you see a picture of Devi in black stone. It’s not straightforward to see it as it’s coated with piles of purple hibiscus flowers. Pandit ji was sort sufficient to carry the flowers to allow us to have the darshan.
Many ladies had been worshipping the Devi. It’s a dwell temple pulsating with divine vitality. After we visited, a katha was occurring, as a prelude to the upcoming Navaratri. There’s a Shiva temple within the premises.
The temple is tiny once you examine it to its significance and recognition. The tiles had been coming aside, there was filth throughout. How I want, the temple was cleaner. The chaos and uncleanliness take away the sanctity of the place.
I’m instructed that lot of Tantra Sadhana is finished at this temple and the adjoining cremation floor. It’s believed that one will get no matter one needs for at this temple.
Navaratri attracts a lot of crowds at this temple. Ninth day of Navaratri that represents Siddhidatri or the type of goddess that bestows you’ll all doable needs is specifically worshipped right here.
Ahilya Sthan
Ahilya is the spouse of Gautam Rishi. They lived right here within the forest within the foothills of the Himalayas. As soon as Indra tricked Ahilya and that made Gautam Rishi offended. He cursed her to turn into a stone.
As quickly as he did so, he realised that it was not her fault, as an alternative Indra was at fault. A curse can’t be taken again, so he restricted it by saying that when a Vishnu Avatar comes and touches her by his toes, she’s going to revert to her human type.
Sri Ram, because the seventh avatar of Vishnu, walked on this path, following his Guru Vishwamitra. On his means, he touched Ahilya and obliged her. This place got here to be often called Ahilya Sthan.
Ram Temple at Ahilya Sthan
There’s a pretty temple in pale pink and yellow devoted to Ram-Janaki. We reached this temple at Ahiari village early morning, solely to search out it closed. On our request, Pandit ji agreed to open the temple. However, he wanted a while to take bathtub earlier than he might open the temple. Within the meantime, we walked round and located an Ahilya Temple shut by
The temple dates to late 17th CE and has been restored by the Darbhanga kings.
Inside it has stunning Murtis of Sri Ram-Janaki together with Gautam-Ahilya, Hanuman ji and Vishwamitra.
You may go across the temple and admire its easy but elegant structure.
Ahilya Temple
Ahilya temple is a small temple positioned subsequent to a sq. stepwell. There are two Pindis on the bottom which can be coated with brass faces and dressed with clothes.
A platform behind holds the Murtis depicting Ram Darbar and Hanuman ji within the lap of his mom.
I used to be intrigued about Hanuman Murti and the woman priest there stated, that is the maternal grandparent’s house of Hanuman ji. I requested how and he or she defined that Anjani, the mom Hanuman ji is daughter of Ahilya and Gautam Rishi. This was one thing new to me. Right here onwards, I began noticing the Hanuman ji, alongside along with his mom Anjani in lots of temples round.
Pores and skin Treatment Ritual
We seen an ritual right here. A younger girl was doing the parikrama of the temple holding two lengthy brinjals on a stick. After she was executed together with her Puja, I requested her in regards to the Brinjals. She stated she had a pores and skin illness that might not be cured with all doable therapies. That’s when somebody urged her to wish to Ahilya with a promise that if you’re cured you’d go to Ahilya Sthan and supply brinjals to the Devi. She had come all the best way from Mumbai the place she lives, after being cured. Religion, as they are saying, can transfer mountains.
In entrance of the temple stands a thick pillar in yellow with mantras written on it. In a distinct segment going through the temple are the traditional Murtis of Sri Ram and Lakshman. It’s believed that parikrama of this pillar is the same as parikrama of the world. We noticed just a few individuals doing its parikrama.
An adjoining Yagnashala with a thatched roof point out common yagnas right here.
A platform with the footprints of Sri Ram marks his journey by means of this forest. In actual fact, for devotees, that is probably the most sacred a part of these temples.
I discovered these two temples at Ahilya Sthan very peaceable. They exude that stillness that one must go inward.
After this we visited Gautam Kund at Brahmpur village. It seemed extra like a modern-day pond. We prayed from a distance and carried on our journey in direction of Janakpur.
As per pauranik tales, Brahma himself created this pond for Gautam Rishi in his hermitage.
Journey Suggestions
For visiting each these locations closest airport is Darbhanga and railway station is Madhubani.
Uchhaith Is positioned 4 kms from Benipatti.
Until you wish to do a Puja, half-hour is nice sufficient to go to the temple on a traditional day.
Ahilya Sthan is about 24 km from Darbhanga. Observe the signal boards from the primary highway to succeed in this temple.
Gautam Kund is way away and doesn’t look like an previous kund. So, except you have to go to, it’s avoidable.
There aren’t any amenities at Ahilya sthan, so carry your personal meals and water.
At Uchhaith, there are eateries however it might nonetheless be prudent to hold your personal.
