| Temples & Legends Of
Maharashtra |
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| Temples & Legends Of
India |
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KOLHAPUR-MAHALAKSHMI |
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| The Karvir
mahatmya states that it this sacred place was the creation of Vishnu, who stays here in
the Mahalakshmi form and at Varanashi in the Shiva form for the mukti, the final
liberation of his devotees. The Harivamsha has a different tale to tell. The story comes
in connection with the struggle between Shri Krishna and Jarasandha, the Lord of Magadha.
Vikadru, an elderly member of the Yadav clan narrates the history of the expansion of the
Yadu kula to Shri Krishna. Once upon a time, Yadu, the son of Haryashva a went to the seas
for ‘jalakrida’ along with his wives and attendants. While he was thus engaged
in the lighthearted sport, Dhumravarna the Lord of the Naga-Loka all of a sudden caught
hold of him and dragged him to his Loka. Here he was received most respectfully and taken
to the magnificent mansion of Dhumravarna and seated on a lotus throne, entertained most
lavishly. Then the Lord of the Nagas offered his daughters in marriage to Yadu. The latter
could not reject the offer and his hesitation, if any, was set at rest when Dhumravarna
told him that the offsprings of the match were destined to royalty. Marriages were duly
celebrated after which Yadu reached his capital with five beautiful brides clad in
exquisite clothes and ornaments bestowed by their father. In due course Yadu got five sons
from his five wives. The children wore all the marks lakshanas of royalty, were properly
trained and when came of age were powerful personalities. They requested their father to
entrust them some tasks worthy of their prowess. Yadu entrusted to them a formidable task,
that of populating the country south of the Vindh) as. Muchukund founded Mahishmati on the
banks of the river Narmada. He also established a township named Purika in the area
between the Vindhya and the Rikshavan mountains. Harita undertook the protection of the
outlying island centres of the empire. Saras founded the nagari of Kraunchpura. Pad
mavarna travelled further southwards, entered the heart of the Sahyadris and chose a
densely forested spot on the river Venna. Here he laid the foundations of the city that
later on became famous as Karvir. And as the spot was scarcely populated Padmavarna
brought in more and more people to inhabit ’Padmavat’as the land was called
hereafter. Thus from the above account it seems that the founding of the town of Karvir
was part of a systematic attempt at colonisation of the Deccan on the part of the northern
tribes, under probably the leadership of the Yadu clan. Anyway our story does not end
here. Generations after generations passed and one comes down to the times of Vikadru.
Krishna and Jarasandha. |
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