Ghushmeshwar Mahadev Form of Shiva is worshipped in the
famous Shiva Temple
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.