Mahasu Devta Temple
| Mahasu Devta Temple | |
|---|---|
महासू देवता मंदिर | |
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Dehradun district |
| Deity | Mahasu Devta |
| Festivals | Bishu, Jagra, Paush ki Dhaal, Budhi Diwali |
| Location | |
| Location | Hanol |
| State | Uttarakhand |
| Country | India |
  Location in Uttarakhand | |
| Coordinates | 30°58′16″N 77°55′41″E / 30.971004°N 77.927953°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Kath Kuni[1] |
| Elevation | 1,050 m (3,445 ft) |
| Website | |
| www.jaimahasudeva.in www.asidehraduncircle.in/dehradun.html | |
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Mahasu Devta Temple (Mahasui: 𑚢𑚩𑚭𑚨𑚱 𑚛𑚲𑚦𑚙𑚭 𑚢𑚫𑚛𑚮𑚤, Hindi: महासू देवता मंदिर) is on the Tons River in the village of Hanol (near Chakrata), in Jaunsar, Dehradun district, Uttarakhand, India. The temple is dedicated to Shiva (locally known as Mahasu Devta),[2] considered one of the most sacred deities in the Mahasu region.
The original temple (of which only the garbhagriha, or sanctum, survives) has a curved shikhara in the Nagara style. The original mulaprasada (main shrine) dates to the 9th–10th century CE. The mandapa and mukhamandapa (entrance area) were added later and have undergone changes. The stone-and-wood temple, built in the Kath Kuni style,[1] is included in the Archaeological Survey of India's list of ancient temples under the Dehradun Circle, Uttarakhand.[2] It is about 156 km from Mussoorie, and about 140 km from Shimla.
Legend
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| Mahasu Devta | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit transliteration | Mahāsū Devatā |
| Affiliation | Deva |
| Abode | Hanol |
| Mantra | ॐ श्रीमहासूदेवाय नमः। Om Śrīmahāsūdevāya namaḥ |
According to legend, Mahasu Devta were four brothers who came from Kashmir.[3] When Krishna disappeared at the end of Dvapara Yuga, the Pandavas followed him across the Tons River. Yudhishtra (the eldest Pandava), captivated by the region's beauty, asked Vishwakarma to build a temple and stay with Draupadi for nine days. The place came to be known as Hanol, after Huna Bhatt.[4]
At the beginning of Kali Yuga demons wandered Uttarakhand, devouring people and destroying villages. The greatest demon was Kirmira, who devoured all seven sons of a pious Brahmin named Huna Bhatt. Kirmira desired Kirtaka (Huna Bhatt's wife), who prayed to Shiva to protect her. Shiva blinded Kirmir, and Kirtaka returned to her husband. They went to the Kashmir mountains to seek Mahasu, who killed the demons on the river.
Someswar Mahadev Jakhol
Someswar Mahadev Is Eldest brother of Mahasu Devta who's lived in jakhol Village of Uttarakhand Someswar Mahadev is God of 22 Village of Panchgai Badasu Ador Someswar Mahadev.
Shaant Festival at Hanol (May 2004)
A festival of shaant was held at Hanol, the principal seat of Botha Mahasu, from 22 May 2004 to 26 May 2004. There are three main types of ceremonies, namely khura shau (one hundred legs of animals sacrificed), munda shau (one hundred heads of animals sacrificed) and singhaan shau (one head of lon or at least representative a cat). This festival which was observed in May 2004 at hanol in which twenty-five goats are required to be sacrificed, twenty five is the minimum number of goats that can be sacrificed. Khura shau ceremonies locally called as shaant festivals are held after several years in the habitats where the tradition of such ceremonies is continuing since past. The second type of shaant ceremony Munda Shau is difficult to arrange in comparison to Khura shau as it involves hundred heads of animals. The shaant festival held at hanol in Jaunsar-Bawar region in Uttarakhand was arranged after about one hundred years. About fifty-two village gods (Gram Devtas) attended the shaant festival.
According to Pandit Devi Ram of Maneoti the first shaant was performed by "Gudaru" ( one the Deities of Mahasuvi cult), According to him, the decision of stopping the practice of offering goats to the deities was taken in the ceremony and all the participating deities and their representatives (Vazirs), Excepting Shedkulia of Fateh Parvat in Uttarakhand, consented to stop sacrificial practices in their temples. Two other important decisions arrived at the ceremony (1) To allow entry of ladies in the temple, (2) To stop the practice of sacrificing animals in name of village gods.[5]
Mahasu Devta fair
Mahasu Devta fair is held every year in August. It is the most important religious fair of the local tribe. Basically Mahasu Devta fair at Hanol is celebrated by the Jaunsari tribe and people of other communities join them. This fair depicts the cultural harmony between the communities.[6]
There is a deity idol inside the temple known as Chalta Mahasu. During the fair, this deity is taken out in procession. Large crowds walk on the both sides. The prayers are continued for three days and nights. They are accompanied by music and folk dance mainly performed by locals and people from nearby villages. The musicians and folk dancers from dehradun and nearby districts comes to participate in this fair.
The materials for performing rituals (like Havan, etc.) are provided by the Government of India. Since the Mahasu Devta fair at Hanol is local, the majority of the people come from nearby districts of Sirmaur, Shimla, Kullu, Solan, Uttarkashi, Tehri, etc.
Mahasu Devta fair at Hanol is the best venue to view the cultural heritage and traditions of local tribes.
Palanquins of Mahasu Devta
The palanquins of Mahasu Devta is generally of roof type-Box type design. In roof type-box type palanquins, the deity's image (Murti or Muharas) is hidden inside the box. Usually made up of silver and sometimes inlaid with gold, both the box and the roof are typically ornamented with repousse images of Shiva, Ganesha, Krishna, The Pandavas and Kauravas and Gopis. The placement of silver parasol at the peak of the roof and the four ball at each of the corner of the box reproduces the mandallic geometry of centre and four directions, the visual signature of world-ordering sovereignty gives visual form to Mahasu's paramount status as "king of the gods" (Hindi: (देवो का राजा)). A woven silver cummerbund tied around the box, through which the deity's sword is slung, indicates the palanquin's anthropomorphic construction as the martial body of a demon-slaying ruler.[7]
Architectural aspects of temple
Architecturally Mahasu Devta Temple at Hanol is one of the rarest examples of perfect and harmonious blend of stone and wooden structure to form one composite grand edifice. The sanctum proper is a pure stone shikhara in classical Nagar style. The whole wooden structure is covered with a high pitched slated pent roof surmounted by a two-tiered conical canopy over it on which a gracefully tapered kalash pinnacle stands. The roof ends and the projection of balcony are ornamented with dangling fringes a pendent corner bells which sway with the slightest movement of breeze.
The stone built classical sanctum sanctorum enshrines many mohras and one bronze image. Those in front row from left to right are Chalda Mahasu (the Mahasu who keeps on moving), Devladli Devi (mother of Mahasu Devta), Kapala Bir (one of the four birs (attendants) of Mahasu Devta), and Shedkuliya (the attendant who emits the whistling sound). Behind them in the preceding order are Pavasi Devta, Kailu (a bir), Natari (polyandrous wife of four Mahasu brothers). All the face images are seated in a middle a small bronze image which is regarded as Botha Mahasu.
Entry to sanctum is restricted strictly for others except the pujari. Even he is required to undergo ritual ablution every time he enters the celestial realms; the tradition pujari of temple is a Brahmin. He is not supposed to eat meat, only eat food once a day, avoid proximity with other persons during the term of his deity as pujari.
In front of sanctum is a large room which functions as an extension to the sanctum where sacramental objects are stored. This room is called Bhandar. Entry to this room is restricted to Brahmins only. The gilded door of the bhandar is very interesting. It surface is profusely embossed with human and animal figures in a very bold manner depicting the episodes associated with the birth of Mahasu Devta. The door frame is intensively covered with coins nailed over one another through years but non of them are numismatic interest and range from recent past. The lion head is fitted with a gold brass ring that serves as a handle. Such ornamental door are common in temple near east of satluj. In front of the vestibule is a sabha mandap followed by an open frontal portico. All the four apartments of this temple are roofed separately. Vestibule and bhandar have a combined three-tiered pent roof with pyramid canopy. The frontal porch has a gable roof over it supported by two wooden pillars with an intermediate ornamental arch.
Unique aspects of temple
The most unusual aspect of the temple is the two spherical rocks about one foot in diameter. The fun part is to lift these rocks on your shoulder and head and then throw them to the ground. It is believed that only a pious-hearted person can only lift up these rocks.
The hanging of trophies on the temple wall is another unique aspect. Matches are played between teams of local gods. On winning, the trophy is awarded and hanged on the interior walls.
On the premises one can notice numerous goats roaming. It is believed that whatever one wishes in this temple, Mahasu Devta fulfills it, provided that on the fulfillment one has to bring a certain number of goats to Mahasu Devta Temple. After prayers the goats are set free to roam on the premises.
Pavasi Devata Temple
Pavasi Devta is the third brother of Mahasu Devta. The Pavasi Devta Temple is just across the River Tons on a hillock. The temple is about 2 km from Mahasu Devta Temple. A road from Mahasu Devta Temple goes one km downward toward the suspension bridge at the river. On crossing, one enters Thadiyar, a small village in Uttarkashi district. Then footpath goes up the hill about 1 km to reach Pavasi Devta Temple.
Visiting
Accommodation
The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam guest house ( now under PPP mode with BIVA Hospitality) is the reasonable and comfortable accommodation option at Hanol. It has six rooms and a dormitory. Accommodation is also available on the premises of the temple. [9]
Accessibility
The Mahasu Devta Temple is about 180 km from Dehradun via Chakrata. It takes about seven hours from this route. The road is narrow and difficult during rainy season. Another route to reach this temple is via Mussoorie, Purola, Naugaon. This route is much better than the former one and takes approximately the same time to reach. The temple is also connected to Shimla via Chaupal and via Jubbal.
The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun. The nearest railway terminus is also at Dehradun.
Best time to visit
In summer (March to May) The climate is very pleasant. Most of the pilgrims visit temple during this time.
In the rainy season (July to September) there is mild rainfall. Most of the roads are slippery during this season.
In winter (November to February) the weather is chilly.
References
- ^ a b Art & Architecture of Uttarakhand by Madhu Jain and O. C. Handa
- ^ a b Chakrata Archived 25 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Hanol Chakrata
- ^ The Biography of a God: Mahasu in the Himalayas by Asaf Sharabi
- ^ The Abode of Mahashiva by Madhu Jain
- ^ B R sharma's Gods of Himachal Pradesh
- ^ Trance, Rituals and Rhythm by Hans Utter
- ^ European Bulletin Himalayan Research Summer 2006
- ^ Temple Architecture of the western himalayas by Omacanda Handa
- ^ www.gmvnl.com
External links
