Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga PARALI
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History of Parali Vaidhyanath
jyothirlinga temple
Yogeshwari
of Ambejogai was married to Lord Vaidyanatha of Parali. But by the
time the marriage party reached, the auspicious time of the wedding
had passed. As a result the people of the marriage party turned
into stone statues. Yogeshwari was waiting away from Parali. This
is one story that is frequently heard
there.
When the
Gods and Demons made their combined effort in Amrit Manthan
(Churning for Nectar), fourteen gems emerged. There were
Dhanwantari and Amrit Ratnas in
it.
When the Demons rushed to grab Amrit, Lord Vishnu hid the Amrit and
Dhanwantari in the Shiva Linga of Lord Shankara. Just as the Demons
tried to touch the Linga, flames started emanating from the Linga.
The scared Demons ran aay. But when devotees of Lord Shankara
touched the Linga, there was a free flow of Amrit from the same.
Even today, devotees touch the Shiva Linga as a part of taking
Darshan. Here, there is no discrimination between caste, creed or
color. Anyone can come and visit this place. As the Lingamurthy is
supposed to have Amrit and Dhanvantari, it is also known as
Amriteshwar and Dhanvantari.
“Vaidyabhyam Poojitam Satyam, Lingametat
puratamam
Vaidyanathamiti prakhyatam
Sarvakamapradayakam”.
The mountains and jungles and the rivers, are full of
useful medicinal herbs. That is why Parali JyotirLinga is also
known as Vaidyanatha.
It is here that Lord Vishnu successfully helped the Devas
to obtain Amrit. Therefore, this place is also known as
‘Vaijayanti”.
Once the Demon King Ravana went to Kailasa mountain and did
a severe penance to please Lord Shankara. Put up with cold, heat,
rains and fine and even then when Lord Shiva did not appear before
him, he began to cut his head off in order to offer it to the
ShivaLinga. Then the Lord appeared after Ravana tried to offer his
tenth head. He restored all of Ravana’s heads and granted him
boons. Ravana expressed his desire to take Lord Shiva to Lanka as a
boon. He said, “I want to take you to Lanka”. Shankara, who is very
soft hearted to His devotees, agreed to accompany Ravana to Lanka.
He told Ravanan, “You must carry my Linga with care and devotion,
but do be careful not to put it down on the earth until you reach
your destination, or else, it will stay at whichever place you put
it down” Shiva cautioned.
Ravana began the journey homeward carrying the Shivaling.
On the way, he wanted to relieve himself by urination. He bid a
cowherd boy to hold the Linga while he relieved himself. The
cowherd was not able to bear the weight of the Linga and when he
could no longer hold it, he put it down on the earth. And the Shiva
Linga put there stayed as Lord Shiva already ordained and came to
be known as Vaidyanatheswar.
Here, the gods were sad about Ravana taking away Shiva to
his Lanka. They requested saint Narada to do something. Narada met
Ravana and said to him by way of praising his penance and Tapas.
“You made a mistake in trusting Shiva. Believing Shiva’s word was
wrong. Go to him and slander him and get your way. Go to Kailasa
and move it entirely. Your success will be gauged by your art of
moving Kailasa from there”. Ravana was tricked into believing
Narada. Ravana promptly carried out Narada’s bidding. Lord Shiva
saw the ego driven mischieves rAvaNa and told him: “A unique power
is soon going to born which will destroy your pride in the strength
of your arms”. Narada informed the Gods of these tidings and his
success in his mission. The gods were relieved and were happy. In
the meanwhile, Ravana too was happy with the boon he received from
Lord Shiva. He returned and was in a trance and was under the
influence of Shiva’s mythical power. He was heady and drunk with
power. He decided to conquer the entire universe. To subdue his ego
only God had to descend on the earth in the Avatar of Rama. Parali
Vaidyanath Jyotirling mandir
Recent developments in Parli
Vaidhyanath
Near Parali Village, the temple is built with stones on a
high mound. The temple is surrounded on all four sides by strong
walls. The insides have corridors and a courtyard. Outside the
temple there is huge Deep Stambh or pillar. The main gate or the
Mahadwar has a Minaret nearby. It is called a Prachi or Gawaksha,
i.e., window. With the help of the location of these special
prayers are held for Sun God, based on the sunrays falling through
these windows, directly on to the
Lingamurthy.
There is a strong, wide staircase to enter the Temple. It
is called ‘Ghat’. The old Ghat was built in the year
1108.
The inner portal of the temple and the court hall are both
of the same size. Therefore, the deity’s Darshan has to be done
from the courtroom itself. No other place has this type of
arrangement. At other places, the inner portal or the Garbhagriha
is visually deep.
The Lingamurty at Vaidyanath is made of Shaligram stone. It
is beautiful and very smooth and is in a benevolent attitude. On
all the four sides of the temple, Nanda Deeps (lights) keep
burning.
Vaidyanath temple was renovated in the year 1706 AD, by
Shiva devotee Ahalyadevi Holkar. She obtained some special stones
from the nearby mountain range of Trishula Devi range, which is
close to Parali. This place was Ahalyadevi’s
favorite.
Late Nanarao Deshpanda built the wonderful court hall of
the temple. The artisans were brought from the village and with the
help of the devotees. A Rama Rajeshwar Mahadev Temple too is built
in memory of them near to the Vaidyanath temple. With in the
premises of the Vaidyanath temple itself, there are eleven more
temples for Shiva. The Veerashaiva Lingayats consider Vaidyanath
Temple as the best.
Srimant Pershwa donated a large piece of land as an
endowment to the temple commission. Today this establishment works
through a committee. Several auspicious events are arranged here.
Travelers can stay here in comfort.
Just as Parali is a place of pilgrimage for Shiva devotees,
it is also a meeting point for Hari Hara. In this mixed holy place,
Lord Krishna’s festivals too are celebrated along with Lord
Shankara’s festivals, with great festivity. The water from the
Harihar Teerth is brought for the daily worship of Vaidyanath.
Every Monday devotees gather here in great
numbers.
On Chaitra Padva, Vijayadashani, Tripuri Pournima, Maha
Shivaratri and Vaikunth Chaturdashi, big celebrations take place.
During these celebrations, there is no distinction between Bel and
Tulsi. Mahadev is offered Tulsi leaves and Vishnu is offered Bel
leaves. This unique practice is seen only in Vaidyanath. During the
rainy season (Sravan) worship of Vaidyanath, the entire area of
Parali echoes with the chanting of Rudrabhisheka Mantrochchar. The
regular Puja is also done with great devotion and
dedication.
Markandeya, obtained his boon of life here in Parali from
Vaidyanatha. This story is from Shivapuran, Markandeya was not
blessed with a long life. Yama wanted to take his life in
accordance with the time of Markandeya’s life. But Shiva released
him from imminent death and from Yama. A pond is named after him.
It is here that this happened.
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