TULJAPUR - BHAVANI

The area of the kshetra is not limited within the en closure. In the aisles around the temple are some stray images like Nrisimha, Yamai, Lakshmi-Naravan, Khandoba etc. In the nOTth-east corner is the temple of Matangi devi which is supposed to be the shakti of the Bbavani, To the vi cst of this temple is the Matang kund. The pujaris of this shrine are Mahar by caste, The Mahatmj*a states that Bhavani herself took the form of Matangi. It was because of the atrocities of an asur named Matang. He was a powerful person and indulged most freely in warfare and desecration. He defeated and slew numerous kings, looted their treasures and abducted their wives and daughters, he burnt down several ashrams and slaughtered the sages and mendicants that stayed there. Cows were slaughtered by the scores, sacrificial altars destroyed and temples were demolished. The gods also could not escape the grim fate and ultimately had to go to Bralimadeva to seek relief.Brahmadeva gave them a hearing but in the end expressed his inability to do anything in the matter and advised them to approach Amba. They accordingly went to Amba and after pleasing her with prayers and worships, told her their grievance. The goddess became furious with rage to learn of the behaviour of the demon and declared then and there that she would kill the demon shortly. She advised the deputation to return to their respective abodes. Then she go, upon her lion, armed herself to the teeth and went out to seek the asur.Matang had meanwhile heard of the devi's advance, gathered together his victorious army consisting of horse, chariot, elephant and foot soldiers and seated himself on a giant chariot. Thus battleready, he went to confront the goddess. After a fierce struggle in which the devi had ultimately to call out other Shaktis like Vaishnavi, Varahi, Brahmi etc. the demon was killed. Amba then praised her shakti who had killed Matang and told her that she would henceforth be known as Matangi.

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