The story of Ravana shaking mount Kailash of Lord Shiva is
found in the Ramayana. This mind boggling event is an important theme for
sculptures in caves and Hindu temples in India. The sculpture in Ellora cave 16
and in the Elephanta caves are extraordinary sculptures depicting the scene of
Shiva shaking Kailash. These sculptures of ancient Hindu sculptures remain
unmatched.
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| Ravana Shaking Mount Kailash Ellora Cave 16 |
As per Ramayana, Ravana astride his aerial vehicle, Pushpaka
was traversing through the sky. While passing through the Himalayas the aerial vehicle
suddenly lost control and was brought down.
Ravana was soon approached by Shiva Ganas who told him that no
one is allowed to enter this domain as it was the abode of Shiva and Goddess
Parvati.
Ravana lost his cool and came down the aerial vehicle and
told Nandi, divine bull vehicle of Shiva, that no one in the universe has the
power to stop him. Puffed up with pride the demon king decided to teach Shiva a
lesson.
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| Chennakeshava Temple Ravana Shaking Mount Kailash |
He reached the foot of Mount Kailash and inserted his
powerful arms and began to shake the abode of Shiva violently. A smiling Shiva
simply put a toe on the mountain. The weight of the mountain crushed the arms
of Ravana. He started crying in pain loudly.
The advisers of Ravana reached the spot and told him to pray
to Shiva for mercy and save his life. Now, only Shiva could help him from the
situation that he has got into out of his pride, anger and ignorance.
Helpless Ravana prayed to Shiva for forgiveness. It said
that Ravana stood and prayed there for a 1000 years. Finally, Shiva lifted his
toe and allowed Ravana to go back to Lanka.