TULJAPUR - BHAVANI

Although a good many festivals are observed here and each attracts a large crowd, the nava-ratra and the vijayadashmi are the most important celebrations. The devi is awakened on the early morning of the first day of the month of Ashvin, and is seated on the pedestal. A potter brings some three earthen pots, Ighats', to the temple and keeps them near the Gomukh tirth. The priests and other sevaks gather there and take these ghats to the temple to the tune of music. These ghats are then placed at fixed spots -ceremonia established. One is placed in the sabhamandap or the outer mandap, the other in the Shiva shrine in front of the devi shrine and the third one in front of the Matangi devi. After this, there takes place the recitation of the Saptashati stotra and the homa. On the eighth and ninth days, ashtami and navami, a sacrifice at which a goat is killed is performed. This is known as 'Khadga-navami'. The homa and the sacrificial rituals take place in the altar or kund that is constructed in front of the sabbamandap and immediately behind the Shiva shrine. On each evening the chhabina of the devi is taken out, the vahan of the devi being different each day. The vahans are made of wood and are, lion, horse, peacock, nandi, garuda etc. It would be noted that these are the vahans of various deities like Brahmadeva, Skanda, Shiva, Vishnu etc. and indicate that they- that is, the other deities- are nothing else than the various aspects-rupas-of the goddess Jagadamba.

[ Back ] [ Up ] [ Next ]