MOTHER BHAVANI OF TULJAPUR

THE ARCHAMURTHI

The three-foot-high granite image of the Mother is grand to look at, and she reveals with eight arms holding weapons, like trident, dagger, arrow and chakra in right lower and upper hands; and sankh, bow, bowl and the head of Mahishasur in the left upper and lower hands. She is in standing posture with right leg on the head of asur and the left leg on the pedestal with her mount Simha behind. It is here found the image of Anubhuti in meditation pose with head down. The Mother with dazzling diamond jewels and colourful robes together with grand garlands looks extremely beautiful and wrings veneration. It is a sight to see and that experience lives in memory for ever. It haunts by flashing across the minds again and again even after years of visitation. As the Mother is deemed to be Jagriti, Sakama bhakti is prevalent. When the desires are fulfilled, devotees pour in their money to redeem the vows taken, along with several kinds of rich offerings. Among them, filling the lap of the Mother, shearing the locks of hair, offering of garments etc. are very common and popular. And in the past slaughtering of animals and drinking of liquor were in vogue; thanks to the reforms, the authorities stopped all those obnoxious practices and switched over to Satwika puja. Hence its popularity is waxing, as modernity with sublime piety has introduced through several traditions in the spirit of changing trends. And permissible to all sections of people.

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