TULAJAPUR - MOTHER BHAVANI'S UNUSAL SLEEP

A unique feature observed here is the special puja offered to the Mother before and after sleep, it occurs thrice a year. The Mother is put to sleep in the central Mandapa in a special chamber, where a separate bedstead is installed. Though She sleeps, for certain days at a stretch on three occasions, the regular poojas are conducted in the shrine unhindered. What a novelty! Such oddities indeed evoke surprises in the visitors, but for the regular Maharastian devotees, they are very common and hasten them to her Sannidhi to availing special rituals conducted then. May be due to attending to infinite number of spiritual and secular duties. she gets exhausted and to recouping the lost, she sleeps soundly only on three occasions, but she is ever alert and vigilant throughout the period. This uniqueness is properly highlighted with special rituals due. Moreover, this Kulaswamini of Maharastrians of great fame has a preference for the game of chequers, which she plays with the Mahant of the temple. How queer! On one occasion, when she delayed in returning to her seat for receiving regular prayers, there was great furor. Then reciprocal recriminations between the two - priests and the MOTHER ensued. So a new tradition was established to announce the time of pujas to making her presence in the seat without fail. This temple maintains some monasteries, and the heads of the Maths are called Mahants. Their presence enhanced the glory of the temple for, the appointed heads were great devotees and brought in several innovations in administration and performance of pujas. With many such oddities, the temple is growing in glory and piety. Strange beliefs, so stranger traditions.

Location : The temple lies in Tulajapur, accessible by four wheelers from Sholapur, Maharastra.

[ Back ] [ Up ]