| A number of
centres like Pandharpur and Ganagapur are situated on the banks of the ancient Bhimarathi.
Shri Nrisimha Sarasvati had included a peregrination around the Bhimarathi in his 'tatak
yatra’, a pilgrimage of various holy rivers.Besides the temple of Shiva there are
certain other spots where a ‘Yatrika’ must
go. He should not forget to worship and honour the ganas of Shiva like Shakini and Dakini
who helped him in his victory over Tripurasur. At
some distance from the Shiva shrine is a small temple dedicated to the goddess Kamalaja.
The shrine is just near the bus stand. It is an extremely plain modern structure. Of brick
and timber construction, it has a plan of a square shrine surrounded by a broad verandah
on all sides. The whole is covered by a tiled roof. The image of the goddess is nothing
more than a huge boulder painted over with vermilion. A silver plaque with the face of a
goddess embossed on it is placed in front of this 'swayambhu’ form. In front of this
shrine stand two stone tigers, around them are several nandi images, a number of virgals
of the late medieval period, Now this Kamalaja is none else than Gauri.
How did she come here? Obviously in connection with the
great deva- asur struggle. Apart from the destruction of Tripura, which was the main
incident, there took Place other deeds which were in no small degree responsible for the
final victory of the gods. |
