MORGAON - MAYURESWARA MANDIR

THE TEMPLE

This famous temple is built on a fifteen-foot-high mound with a broad flight of steps leading to it. At the entrance of the stairs, there is a big pavilion housing a big size image of mouse, the Lord's mount. As we go further, there is a mandap adorned with the image of Nandi. It appears ambiguous; for, Nandi, the vehicle of Lord Siva has no place in Ganesh mandir, but it is here and has an odd background. The belief current explains that the Lord Siva's vahana was sculptured at nearby village for the temple at Bhuleswar. During transport after completion, the cart bearing it broke down, when it neared the present spot. Attempts to lift it failed. The priests then proposed to chisel it down to manageable size, but there heard an aerial voice that it should not be disturbed, for it wanted to be near Mayureswar to serve him. The awe-struck people erected a cupola and started worshipping it. What a devotion! Does not Nandikeswar know the might of Ganeswar? A tittle further up lies the Mahadwara - a wide pointed arch surmounted by a majestic nagarkhana. Crossing it, we enter the vast courtyard with the main mandir in the middle. Inside, there is another gate with two dipmalas on each side.Sabha mantap, a spacious rectangular hall greets our eyes adorned with ,,cypress pillars and cusped arches. Adjoining, there is a square room called Shajghar, used as bed room for the deity. Next object is a small shrine for Ugrabhairav. It is grand to look at, and he is the kshetrapalaka of this temple. He is reputed to remove many ills and release the victims of witchcraft from evil spirits, if special pujas are offered. Hence it is crowded always. Along with this, devotees offer prayers to Neelakanta and Kruttivas installed in separate mandaps to be screened from the effects, of witchcraft and evil forces.

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