The Legend of Mahiravana and Hanuman's Heroic Rescue
The sacred site of Kshirgram holds a unique place in Hindu religious tradition, intertwining the epic narratives of the Ramayana with the profound significance of Shakti worship. The story begins during the great war of Lanka, when Mahiravana, the powerful sorcerer king of Patal Lok and brother of Ravana, employed his mystical powers to abduct Lord Rama and Lakshman from the battlefield. Mahiravana was a devoted worshipper of Goddess Bhadrakali, and he intended to sacrifice the divine brothers to please his chosen deity.
Learning of this treacherous kidnapping, the ever-faithful Hanuman descended into the netherworld to rescue his beloved Lord. The journey to Patal Lok was fraught with challenges, as Hanuman had to navigate through the complex underground realm, facing numerous obstacles and deceptions. Upon reaching Mahiravana's domain, Hanuman discovered that the demon king's life force was protected through a unique arrangement involving five lamps burning in five different directions, all of which needed to be extinguished simultaneously for Mahiravana to be defeated.
Displaying his divine intelligence and prowess, Hanuman assumed the Panchamukhi (five-faced) form, combining the aspects of Hanuman, Narasimha, Garuda, Varaha, and Hayagriva. With this magnificent form, he extinguished all five lamps at once and vanquished Mahiravana, thereby liberating Lord Rama and Lakshman from captivity.
The Establishment of Goddess Bhadrakali at Kshirgram
During his time in Patal Lok, Hanuman encountered the sacred idol of Goddess Bhadrakali, whom Mahiravana had worshipped with great devotion. Recognizing the divine power and sanctity of the goddess, Hanuman, with Lord Rama's blessings, brought the idol from the netherworld and established it at Kshirgram. This act transformed Kshirgram into a significant center of Shakti worship.
Upon installation at Kshirgram, the goddess came to be known as Jogadya, a name that resonates with the local tradition and devotional practices of the region. The term "Jogadya" reflects the protective and powerful nature of the Divine Mother, who watches over her devotees with compassion and strength.
The Unique Tradition of the Underwater Deity
What makes the Kshirgram temple extraordinarily distinctive is the unusual manner in which the deity is preserved and worshipped. The sacred idol of Maa Jogadya remains submerged in the waters of a holy pond throughout the year, a practice that is rare and deeply symbolic in Hindu worship traditions. This underwater preservation is believed to maintain the divine energy of the idol and protect it from negative influences.
The goddess is brought out from the sacred waters only on specially designated occasions, with the most prominent being Baishakh Sankranti, which falls on April 15. On this auspicious day, devotees gather in large numbers to witness the emergence of the deity from the waters and to offer their prayers and devotion. The same day, after the completion of rituals and worship, the idol is ceremoniously returned to its underwater abode, maintaining the ancient tradition established by Hanuman himself.
This practice of keeping the deity submerged represents the profound connection between water as a life-giving element and the Divine Mother as the source of all creation and sustenance. Water is considered highly purifying in Hindu tradition, and the constant immersion of the goddess in sacred waters symbolizes eternal purity and divine power.
Kshirgram as One of the 51 Shaktipeeths
Beyond the connection to the Ramayana, Kshirgram holds immense significance as one of the 51 Shaktipeeths scattered across the Indian subcontinent. According to Hindu sacred texts, these Shaktipeeths mark the locations where parts of Goddess Sati's body fell after Lord Shiva performed the Tandava, the cosmic dance of destruction, while carrying her lifeless form.
The story originates from the ancient narrative where Sati, the consort of Lord Shiva and daughter of King Daksha, immolated herself in the sacrificial fire during her father's great yajna. Daksha had deliberately insulted Lord Shiva by not inviting him to the ceremony, and unable to bear this humiliation, Sati ended her life. Overcome with grief and rage, Lord Shiva carried Sati's body and began the Tandava. To prevent complete cosmic destruction, Lord Vishnu released his Sudarshana Chakra, which divided Sati's body into 51 parts, each falling at different locations across the land.
At Kshirgram, it is believed that the right great toe of Goddess Sati fell, sanctifying this location forever. Each Shaktipeeth is considered a manifestation of the Divine Feminine energy, and worshipping at these sites is believed to grant immense spiritual merit and divine blessings. The presence of both the Shaktipeeth significance and the Hanuman-established idol makes Kshirgram a doubly powerful spiritual destination.
Spiritual Significance and Devotional Practices
The temple at Kshirgram attracts devotees seeking the blessings of the Divine Mother for protection, prosperity, and spiritual advancement. The goddess, in her form as Jogadya, is believed to be particularly responsive to the prayers of those facing difficulties and obstacles in life. Her association with Hanuman adds another dimension, as devotees also seek the blessings of courage, strength, and unwavering devotion that Hanuman exemplifies.
The annual festival during Baishakh Sankranti transforms Kshirgram into a vibrant center of devotional activity, with elaborate rituals, offerings, and celebrations marking the special darshan of the goddess. Devotees consider it highly auspicious to witness the emergence of the deity from the sacred waters, believing that such darshan carries exceptional spiritual potency and can fulfill sincere wishes.
The worship at Kshirgram represents the beautiful synthesis of various streams of Hindu devotional tradition - the heroic bhakti of Hanuman, the supreme power of Shakti, and the sacred geography of the Shaktipeeths. This confluence makes Kshirgram a truly remarkable pilgrimage destination that continues to inspire faith and devotion across generations.
