TULJAPUR - BHAVANI

Anubhuti was full of gratitude for the devi and started to say it in so many words. But the devi stopped her and said that it was because of the great punya that the lady had gathered that she had gone there and she was extremely pleased with Anubhuti and would confer whatever boon she might ask for. Anubhuti told the devi that the only boon she would ask for was that she should be able to see and worship the goddess whenever she desired. The devi promised to be in this Loka and selected the Yamunachala -the Yamuna hill of the Sahyadris as the place where she would reside. The devi had another plan before her when she chose this particular spot. She had foreseen the whole life story of Ramachandra and had decided to help him in his worthy task. Yamunachala was on the way from Panchavati to Rameshvar and she knew Rama would come there searching for his wife. Accordingly she was waiting there for the two brothers, encouraged them and advised them to establish and Worship Shiva-lings near her abode. These lings are today know as Rameshvar and Lakshmaneshvar. Then she told the pair that they would very soon be confronted by a monkey king and advised them to befriend him to ensure future success. This meeting was held on the Ghat-shila described earlier. Rama praised her, obtained her blessing and proceeded towards Lanka. He was ultimately triumphant in his struggle against Ravana. This story nowhere appears in the Ramayana but occupies a pretty good portion of the Tulaja-Mahalmya. It is an explanation of how and why this very spot became the habitat of the devi and is as good as any explanation could be!

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