TULJAPUR - BHAVANI

Some distance off from the shrine is a temple-like structure, It houses a big boulder known at Ghat-Shila.This ghat- shila is sanctified by an incident in the life of Ramachandra. When he was moving through the Danda ka-anya in search of Sita, Amba met him. According to alegend locally current but not mentione - d in the Mahatmya she appeared before Rama in the form of Sita. She had decided to make some fun Of the prince. But no sooner had she appeared than Rama recognized her true nature and kneeled before her to ask for her blessings. Either in her form or in that of Sita, the devi seeing Rama is the most important point. An account of their meeting is given later on in connection with the legend about how and why the devi came to this spot. But when they met the devi she herself and the two brothers rested on this rock and hence its sacred- ness. Just near by are two Shiva lings, Rameshvar and Lakshmaneshvar, established by the two brothers to please the goddess. The Papavinashi tirth is not far from the temple. This is a well built tank, with pillared aisles on its sides. Further down is another temple dedicated to Ramavardayini devi. This is the devi that gave her blessing to Rama who was searching for his wife. The image is eight- armed like the one of Bhavani.

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