| Temples & Legends Of
Maharastra |
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| Temples & Legends Of
India |
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TRYAMBAKESHWAR - TRYAMBAK |
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| The spot on the
Brahmagiri where Ganga emerged again is known as‘Ganga-dwara’. This place is to
the west of the village and is situated on the Brahma giri mountain, about half the height
of the hill. One Karamasi from Maska in Cutch has caused to be constructed during the last
quarter of the last century a flight of some seven hundred and fifty stone steps to make
the ascent to this Ganga- dwara easy. This Ganga-dwara is one of the five most important
tirths of the place. A small stream of water is constantly pouting down from a stone
Gomukha. Above this Gomukha is a crude female image the image of Ganga. This Ganga-dwara is a very small tank and no rites like snana etc.
can be performed here. Not far off from here is a small temple devoted to
‘Kolhambika’. As the name would indicate this a form of Parvati. When Ganga that
is, Godavari started flowing in response to Gautama’s prayers, one demon by name of
Kolhasur opened his mouth and began gulping down all the water. Gautama was greatly
distressed at this turn of events and made a desperate appeal to Parvati to rescue* Ganga
from the danger in which she had landedherself. Amba immediately tore down on the demon
and after a brief but stiff struggle beheaded the demon. The head while falling down from
the body uttered the words ‘Shiva’, ‘Shiva’ thrice. This of course
indicated that he was a devotee of Shiva and Amba repented having stain adevotee of her
husband. She therefore, offered any boon Kolhasur might ask for Kolhasur requested
that the devi should stay where she had gone to kill him and that his name be associated
with hers; hence the name Kolhambika. |
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