Several temples in Uttar Pradesh narrate tales of the spotting
of Ashwathama of Mahabharata. Famous among them are a Kali Temple in Etawah, Baba
Liloti Nath Mandir in Lakhimpur Kheri and Khereshwar Mandir near Kanpur.
Ashwathama, the son of Drona and a great warrior in the
Mahabharata, is one among the seven Chiranjeevis (without
death) mentioned in the Puranas – as a result of curse by Sri Krishna he still
alive and roams on earth with a body full of oozing warts. If he is alive, then
he will be more than 5000 years old.
Ashwathama at Kali Temple in Etawah
It is believed that he visits a Kali Temple near Etawah in
Uttar Pradesh daily to offer prayers. Located on the banks of Yamuna River,
this Goddess Kali temple is around 5 km from Etawah. The people of the region
believe that Ashwathama arrives here in an invisible form and offers first
worship daily.
The Shivling is always offered water before opening of the
usual temple by some unknown force.
Mother Goddess Kali of this temple is the ishta devata, or titular deity, of the dacoits of Chambal.
Goddess Kali is worshipped in three forms in the temple. The main offering here are red color flowers, coconut and chunari.
Ashwathama at Baba Liloti Nath Mandir
Another temple in Uttar Pradesh that reports about the
sighting of Ashwathama is located in Lakhimpur-Kheri in Uttar Pradesh. It is
believed that he performs daily puja at midnight in a Shiva Temple located here
– Baba Liloti Nath Mandir.
The temple is located deep inside a jungle.
People find different things offered on the Shivling here.
Ashwathama at Khereshwar Mandir near Kanpur
Khereshwar Mandir at Shivrajpur around 40 km from Kanpur is
another temple associated with the sighting of Ashwathama. This area is also
believed to be the place where Ashwathama was born. It is believed that the
temple was originally the house of Guru Dronacharya. The temple is now
dedicated to Lord Shiva. Shiva is worshipped here in the form of Shivling and
it is said that Ashwathama offers water, flowers, or rice at midnight here.
The area is associated with incidents of Mahabharata.
Interestingly, no one has yet spotted Ashwathama. They have
only found things that he is believed to have offered in the temples.
Related
Shivling that is Constantly Growing - Bhuteshwar Mahadev in Chhattisgarh
Related
Shivling that is Constantly Growing - Bhuteshwar Mahadev in Chhattisgarh