MOTHER BHAVANI OF TULJAPUR

THE MOTHER'S SLEEP

Another unique feature is the special puja offered to the Mother after waking up; 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 Maharashtrian 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 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 scat for receiving regular prayers, there was great furore. 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 scat 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.

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