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Story of Ghushmeshwar Mahadev Form of Shiva

Ghushmeshwar Mahadev Form of Shiva is worshipped in the famous Shiva Temple in Rajasthan. The story of Ghushmeshwar Mahadev clearly illustrates what unwavering devotion can achieve.

Legend has it that once there lived a pious couple name Sudharma and Sudeha. They did not have children for many years.

Sudeha then insisted that her husband should marry her sister Ghushma so that they can have children.

Ghushma was an ardent devotee of Shiva and she continued with her prayers even after her marriage to Sudharma. To beget children, Ghushma used to make 101 Shivlings of clay and offer prayers daily near a pond. At end of the daily puja she used to dissolve the shivlings in the pond.

Soon Ghushma conceived and in due course of time gave birth to a healthy baby.

But the nature of Sudeha changed and she was jealous of her sister. She tried all means to hurt her sister and her baby.

Ghushma was not bothered about all these activities and she continued with her prayers to Shiva.

One night the jealous Sudeha killed the baby and threw the body in the pond in which Ghushma had immersed the clay Shivlings.

Next day morning, Ghushma woke up and started to prepare for her daily worship of Shiva. Her husband soon discovered that the baby was missing. But Ghushma was not distracted by this and she continued with her puja.

Shiva was impressed by her unwavering devotion and rose up from the pond with her baby.

He gave the baby to Ghushma and raised his trident to kill Sudeha. But Ghushma who was of forgiving nature asked Mahadev to spare the life of her elder sister.

She was pleased by Ghushma’s devotion and generous and forgiving nature and offered her a boon. She asked Shiva to be always present near the pond where she worshipped daily.

Shiva granted the boon and decided to reside there as Ghushmeshwar Mahadev.