| Further
downwards is the Varaha-tirth. After Ganga was released from the clutches of Kolhasur, she
requested Gautama that he should take bath in her waters and absolve himself of his sin.
That was the main reason why he had brought her down and it was then high time that he
fulfilled his desire. But now Gautama was hesitant. He thought to himself that this Ganga
was so greatly honoured by Shiva that he had placed her on his head and now how could be
touch her with his feet? He naturally could not bathe in her waters. Again a contingency
arose and again Gautama had recourse to an appeal to a god. This time it was Vishnu to whom he applied. The Lord of Vaikunth responded to
Gautama’s appeal and went to the Brahmagiri but told him that he was then busy with
the task of punishing Hiranyaksh and would soon return to help the sage find a way
out.Vishnu reappeared after some time, but in the form of a Varaha and took bath in this
tirth. Hence the name Varaha tirth.
However,Gautama’s hesitation had so irritated Ganga
that she again disappeared from view. Nearby are the Rama and Lakshmana kunds and a Rama
temple erected by one Ghanekar around 1858. At some distance from these tirths and kunds
is the Gumpha or cave of ShriGorakhanath referred to above. |
