नमन है उनको-३ (शिव वर्मा)

शिव वर्मा, हाँ यही नाम था उस शख्स का, जो भगत सिंह के समूह का एक विश्वसनीय सदस्य था।जब भगत सिंह वगैरह को फांसी की सज़ा हुई , उस समय इनको उम्रकैद की सज़ा हुई।
भगत सिंह ने अपनी शहादत के पहले, शिव वर्मा से हुई आखिरी मुलाकात में उनसे कहा था, जिसकी कुछ पंक्तियाँ शायद ऐसे थीं-"हमलोग तो आजादी के इस संघर्ष में अपनी लड़ाई लड़ते हुए अब अपने प्राण त्याग देंगे, पर तुम जैसे मेरे साथियों का काम बहुत ही जटिल होने वाला है। यह काम है आजाद भारत में भी जुल्मों और ग़लत बातों के ख़िलाफ़ लड़ते रहना। "
इस बात पर शिव वर्मा ने वचन दिया कि वो ताउम्र अपने देश में जुल्मों और ग़लत बातों के ख़िलाफ़ लडेंगे, और उस महान आदमी ने ऐसा किया भी।आज की दुनिया में एक भिखारी को रोटी देने के समय भी लोग उससे फायदा खोजते हैं, वो महान देशभक्त देश और देशवासियों के हक के लिए लड़ाई लड़ा और इस लड़ाई में उसे कांग्रेसी सरकार ने, जो देशभक्ति का ठेका लेकर सत्ता के गलियारे में पहुँची थी, १९४७, १९६२ और १९६४ में जेल भेजा।
इस तरह उस महान देशभक्त ने अपने जीवन के २५ साल देश सेवा के लिए जेल के अंदर बिताये।
इस महान शख्स कि मृत्यु १० फरवरी १९९७ में हुई। शायद देश के नौजवान उस समय विदेशियों के तौर- तरीकों की नक़ल करने में लगे हुए थे, और उनसे उन्हें ये समय ना मिला हो कि ये देख सकें की एक महान देशभक्त परम धाम की ओर प्रस्थान कर रहा है॥

अपने लिए जीना है क्या जीना,

देश के लिए मरना ही है मरना।

अगर देशसेवा ना कर सके तो,

इस जवानी का क्या करना॥

ऐसे महान शख्स के बारे में शायद उपर्युक्त पंक्तियाँ कुछ ऐसे हों जैसे एक बहुत ही अमीर सेठ को एक रूपये का चन्दा। पर शायद अभी शब्द ही धोखा दे रहे हैं।

अगले अंक में उस महान देशभक्त की कहानी जिसने अपने शिक्षक की नौकरी केवल इसलिए छोड़ दी की वो चंद्र शेखर आज़ाद का दोस्त ओर साथी बनना चाहता था।

रोजर फेडरर कहीं ब्योर्न बोर्ग के पुर्नजन्‍म तो नहीं

दुनिया के नंबर एक टेनिस (Tennis) खिलाड़ी स्विट्ज़रलैंड के रोजर फ़ेडरर (Roger Federer) ने लगातार पाँचवीं बार विंबलडन का ख़िताब जीतकर महान ब्योर्न बोर्ग (Bjorn Borg) के रिकॉर्ड की बराबरी कर ली है। अब इसे फेडरर की महानता की कहा जायेगा या ब्योर्न बोर्ग क्‍योकि दोनो अपने आप में महान है। नीचे कुछ चित्र है जो यह बताते है कि कि इस जन्‍म में भी अवतार हो सकता है। ब्योर्न बोर्ग आज फेडरर को देख निश्‍चित रूप से अपने पिछले दिन याद कर रहे होगा।

ब्योर्न बोर्ग के बारे कहा जाता है कि 1978, 79, 80 में बोर्ग पेरिस के 'क्ले कोर्ट' पर लगातार खिताब (फ्रेंच) जीतने में जुटे हुए थे, उन्हीं वर्षों में वे एक अलग सतह अर्थात लंदन के 'ग्रास कोर्ट' पर भी खिताब जीत रहे थे और वह भी लगातार। जी हाँ 1978, 79 व 80 में बोर्ग ने विम्बलडन खिताब भी जीतकर एक विशिष्ट कीर्तिमान बनाया था।

अपने विजय अभियान में बोर्ग ने यदि फ्रेंच ओपन में जी. विलास (78), वी. पेक्की (79) और जेरुलाइटिस (80) को हराया था तो इन्हीं तीन वर्षों में ग्रास कोर्ट के मास्टर माने जाने वाले जिमी कोनोर्स, रास्को टेनर एवं जॉन मेकनरो को विम्बलडन में हराया था।
दो विभिन्न सतहों पर खिताबी हैट्रिक बनाना आसान बात नहीं थी किंतु महान बोर्ग ने इसे संभव बनाया था। जब ग्रास कोर्ट के मास्टर पीट सैम्प्रास एक अदद 'फ्रेंच खिताब' के लिए तरसते रहे हों अथवा 'क्ले मास्टर' इवान लेंडल ' विम्बलडन' की आशा में ही मुरझा गए हों, वहाँ बोर्ग की दोनों में हैट्रिक उन्हें विशिष्ट खिलाड़ी ही बनाती है।

फेडरर के दिल में आज सिर्फ यही कसक होगी कि वह आप नही जीत पाये है तो सिर्फ फ्रेंच ओपन कहते है कि यह लाल मिट्टी हर किसी को नही सुहाती है, यही कारण है कि आज तक कई दिग्‍गजो को यह खिताब नही जीत पाने का मलाल है।

नीचे चित्रों में ब्योर्न बोर्ग और रोजर फेडरर को एक साथ देखिए।

नमन है उनको- २ (राजगुरु)

राजगुरु, हाँ यही नाम तो लोकप्रिय है, उस महान नायक का जिसने भगत सिंह के कदम से कदम मिलाकर अंग्रेजों को नाकों चने चबवा दिए।

शिवराम हरी राजगुरू, २४ अगस्त १९०८ में,पूना (महाराष्ट्र) के खेडा गाँव में जन्में थे। १५ साल की छोटी उम्र में ही क्रांति का अलख जन-जन तक पहुँचाने का बीडा उठाया और अपने को जननी जन्मभूमि पर होम कर दिया।

क्या था उस महानायक में कि वो अंग्रेजों के हर जुल्म को सहता हुआ देश की आजादी के लिए जीवन पर्यंत प्रयत्नरत रहा?शायद अब वो खून भारत कि धरती ने उपजाना बंद कर दिया है।

एक ऐसा महानायक,जो हमेशा कहता था "भारत माता को आजाद कराने के लिए हर लड़ाई में मैं सबसे आगे चलूँगा", और असेम्बली बम काण्ड में नही सम्मिलित किए जाने पर बहुत नाराज़ हुआ।
परन्तु भारत माता को शायद उससे बहुत प्यार था, तो ही तो उस महानायक कि ये इच्छा भी पूरी कर दी, ताकि वो देश कि आजादी के महासंग्राम में अन्य देशभक्तों से पीछे ना रहे।
और वो महानायक, २३ साल की अल्पायु में, २३ मार्च १९३१ को भगत सिंह और सुखदेव के साथ भारत माता के चरणों में ख़ुद को अर्पित करने के लिए, फांसी पर झूल गया।
उस महानायक के लिए निम्न पंक्तियाँ शायद चाँद को दिया दिखाने जैसा हो:

जाने कहाँ गए वो जोगी,
वतन की आज़ादी के रोगी,
कहते थे अपनी सारी आहों में,
मर जायेंगे वतन की राहों में॥

अगले अंक में उन महान देशभक्त की कहानी संकलित होने वाली है, जिसने भारत की आजादी के बाद भी जुल्म के ख़िलाफ़ आवाज उठाते हुए यानि अपने जीवन के २५ साल जेलों या कालेपानी में गुजारा।

नमन है उनको-१ (सरदार अजीत सिंह)

इस धारावाहिक के पहले अंक में मैंने जगह दी है उस महान शख्सियत को, जिसके बारे में कभी श्री बाल गंगाधर तिलक ने कहा था " ये स्वतंत्र भारत के प्रथम राष्ट्रपति बनने योग्य हैं "। उन्हें क्या पता था कि आज़ादी के साथ आयेगी विभाजन कि त्रासदी, जिससे पीड़ित होकर यह व्यक्ति दुनिया से विदाई ले लेगा।
ये शख्सियत हैं: सरदार अजीत सिंह ।

• जब तिलक ने ये कहा था तब सरदार अजीत सिंह की उम्र केवल २५ साल थी। रिश्ते में भगत सिंह के चाचा थे । अब वो सन्दर्भ जिनके कारण तिलक ने इस शख्सियत के बारे में ऐसा कहा था:
• १९०९ में सरदार अपना घर बार छोड़ कर देश सेवा के लिए विदेश यात्रा पर निकल चुके थे, उस समय उनकी उम्र थी:२८ साल।
• इरान के रास्ते तुर्की, जर्मनी, ब्राजील, स्विट्जरलैंड,इटली, जापान आदि देशों में रहकर उन्होंने क्रांति का बीज बोया ओर आजाद हिन्द फौज की स्थापना की।
• नेताजी को हिटलर ओर मुसोलिनी से मिलाया। मुसोलिनी तो उनके व्यक्तित्व के मुरीद थे।
• इन दिनों में उन्होंने ४० भाषाओं पर विजय प्राप्त कर ली थी। ऐसा था उनका व्यक्तित्व।
• रोम रेडियो को तो उन्होंने नया नाम दे दिया था, आजाद हिन्द रेडियो। ओर इसके मध्यम से क्रांति का प्रचार प्रसार किया।
• ३८ साल बाद जब मार्च १९४७ में वो भारत वापस लौटे, तब उनकी उम्र थी- ६६ साल।

भारत लौटने पर पत्नी ने पहचान के लिए कई सवाल पूछे, जिनका सही जवाब मिलने के बाद भी उनकी पत्नी को विश्वास नही । इतनी भाषाओं के ज्ञानी हो चुके थे सरदार, कि पहचानना बहुत ही मुश्किल था।
४० साल तक एकाकी और तपस्वी जीवन बिताने वाली श्रीमति हरनाम कौर भी वैसे ही जीवत व्यक्तित्व वाली महिला थीं।
देश के विभाजन से इतने व्यथित थे सरदार कि १५ अगस्त १९४७ के सुबह ४ बजे उन्होंने आपने पूरे परिवार को जगाया, ओर जय हिन्द कह कर दुनिया से विदा ले ली।
जैसा की हर महान व्यक्ति के बारे में कहा जाता है, वैसे ही सरदार के बारे में यहाँ कहना चाहूँगा:

सरदार अजीत सिंह मरा नहीं,
देश भक्त कभी मरते नहीं।
होता है बस shareer परिवर्तन,
एक नई क्रांति लाने को।।

अगले अंक में उस महान क्रांतिकारी की गाथा है जिसने कभी भगत सिंह से कहा था कि मैने जिंदगी भर तो तुम्हारे नौकर की भूमिका में अंग्रेजों की आँखों में धूल झोंका था, अब मौत के बाद की दुनिया में भी तुम्हारे पहले जाकर तुम्हारा सारा सामान तैयार करूँगा, और वो महान क्रांतिकारी फांसी को चूम कर उससे झूल गया॥

होली आई रे...

देखो यारों देखो होली आई रे...
रंग रंगीला मौसम देखो लायी रे॥



अबीर गुलाल से रंगीन हो रहा संसार,
पकवानों की सुगंध से सराबोर हो रहा घर बार।
देखो एक नया संसार लेकर होली आई रे,
देखो यारों देखो होली आई रे॥

सजने लगी देखो सारी रंगोलियाँ,
मिल गई बचपन की सारी हम्जोलियाँ।
जीवन में त्यौहार देखो लायी रे,
देखो यारों देखो होली आई रे॥

देखो आया मौसम यारों पकवानों का,
ओर अग्रजों को मिलने वाले सम्मानों का।
फिजाओं में प्यार की फुहार लेकर आई रे,
देखो यारों देखो होली आई रे॥


यार दोस्तों का मिलन लेकर आई रे,
प्यार के संदेश को फैलाने देखो आई रे।
एकता का प्रदर्शन करने आई रे,
देखो यारों देखो होली आई रे। देखो यारों देखो होली आई रे॥

शाम की गपशप

आज मैं एक सन्दर्भ याद कराता हूँ, जिसे आपने बहुत से चलचित्रों में देखा या सुना होगा:
ये है भारत की भूखी नंगी जनता, इसकी याददाश्त बहुत ही कमज़ोर है, आज किसी से बहुत प्यार करेगी और कल उसे याद भी नही होगा की वो कौन था। ये कैसा प्यार?

यहाँ मैं एक दृश्य दिखलाता हूँ। दृश्य:
देश की आजादी के बाद एक व्यक्ति उस जगह जा रहा है जहाँ अमर शहीद भगत सिंह और उनके अन्य साथी कैद रहे थे अंग्रेजों के शासनकाल के दौरान। इस व्यक्ति के भीतर उत्साह है वो जगह देखने की जहाँ वो महान शख्स आपने जीवन की कुछ घडियाँ बितायी था। वहाँ पहुँचने पर पता चलता है की वहाँ अस्पताल बन गया है। निराश हो, वो व्यक्ति कहता है की अच्छा वो जगह तो देख ही लेता हूँ , जहाँ सारे क्रांतिकारी बंद रहे थे। और जब वहाँ पहुँचता है तो देखता है की वो जगह, बैडमिन्टन का मैदान बन चुका है। वो आदमी शायद कुछ देख कर सोचने लगता है।

वहाँ उसे काफी देर से खड़े देख कर वहाँ खेल रहे खिलाड़ियों में से एक पूछता है: इस जगह में क्या कोई खास बात है ?
वो आदमी बताता है: हाँ, कभी यहाँ बनी जेल की कोठरियों में भगत सिंह और बटुकेश्वर दत्त बंद रहे थे।
वो खिलाड़ी पूछता है: ये भगत सिंह और बटुकेश्वर दत्त कौन हैं?
वो आदमी कौन था, वो आदमी थे, कभी भगत सिंह के कंधे से कंधे लगा कर देश की आजादी के लिए सदा प्रयत्नरत, बटुकेश्वर दत्त।

अगर हम सब इतिहास को इतनी शिद्दत से भूलने का प्रयास करेंगे तो शायद हमारे भविष्य का लेखा जोखा तो आँखों के सामने नुमाया हो रहा है।इसी इतिहास से आंखें चार करने की तीव्र प्रवृति मुझे यहाँ तक ले आई है. और आगे इसी चिट्ठे में मैं एक धारावाहिक प्रकाशित कर रहा हूँ: "नमन है उनको"

शायद इस धारावाहिक से लोगों को उन शहीदों को नज़र करने में मदद मिले, और मेरी ओर से ये उन महान लोगों को श्रद्धांजली होगी।

ये कैसी भारतीयता?

मैंने पिछले साल, दूरदर्शन के माध्यम से एक विज्ञापन देखा। यहाँ मैं उस विज्ञापन को रख रहा हूँ। ध्यान से देखियेगा, शायद विज्ञापन से ही आपको मेरे लेख का उद्देश्य समझ आ जाए।

इस विज्ञापन को देख कर ये सवाल आपके मन मस्तिष्क में जरुर उठ रहा होगा: इस विज्ञापन की क्या जरुरत है? ये तो हम सब जानते हैं कि राष्ट्र गान को सम्मान देने के लिए हम सबों को आपने पैरों पर खड़े होकर लयसे लय मिलाकर उसे गाना चाहिए। परन्तु आप शायद ये नही जानते कि भारत की करोडो की आबादी में ऐसे भी लोग हैं जो राष्ट्र से जुड़े इस तत्व को यह सम्मान भी नही देते , बल्कि ऐसे लोगों कि संख्या बहुत ही ज्यादा है।



अब आप दूसरा वीडियो देखिये, इससे शायद आपको कोई सुराग मिले। ये शायद आपको याद होगा कि हॉकी आपका, हमारा राष्ट्रीय खेल है। अब ये उपर्युक्त दृश्य देखिये। ये श्वेत- श्याम में है, जो देखकर आप तुरंत ही उब गए होंगे। ऐसा क्यों है ? क्या देश के लिए सबसे ज्यादा सोचने का दावा करने वाली देश का मीडिया तंत्र नही जानता कि हॉकी हमारा राष्ट्रीय खेल है? या यह सब क्रिकेट के चकाचौंध का नतीजा है?

देश कि सेवा का दावा करने वाले देश के व्यापारी गण, और सिनेमा जगत कि सारी बड़ी हस्तियाँ, जो आजकल क्रिकेट का गुन गान करते हुए नही अघाते हैं, और सारे बड़े खिलाड़ियों को को ऊँची कीमत देकर खरीद रहे हैं, क्या उन्हें हॉकी की मदद करने की नही सूझ रही ? अगर ऐसा है तो कैसी देशभक्ति और कैसी भारतीयता, अरे छोडो यार ये सब फंडे किसी और को समझाओ।

हॉकी के खिलाड़ियों को उनकी हर जीत पर अगर उत्साहित किया जाता, और सारे देश की नज़र इस खेल पर होती तो शायद तस्वीर दूसरी होती।शायद एक या दो वीडियो बना कर देश के सबसे बड़े खेल और इससे जुड़े खिलाड़ियों को प्रोत्साहित किया जा सकता था, जो कभी किया नही गया। शायद भारत में ऐसे भी बहुत कम ही लोग होंगे तो धनराज पिल्लै के बाद के किसी हॉकी खिलाड़ी को जानते भी होंगे, नक्शे कदम चलने की बात तो दूर है।देश के सबसे बड़े खेल हॉकी के बारे में दिखाने में देश की मीडिया की इज्जत जाती है, देश के सबसे बड़े खेल से जुड़े खिलाड़ियों के बारे में लोग नही जानते। क्या है ये?

अगर खेल की बढोतरी ही पैमाना है, तो फ़िर क्रिकेट की बजाय शतरंज को ये सम्मान मिलना चाहिए, क्यूंकि पिछले कुछ साल में शतरंज उन कुछेक खेलों में से है जहाँ भारतीय बादशाहत बरकरार है, नाकी क्रिकेट ।

अभी भी वैसे सब कुछ नही बिगड़ा, अगर अभी भी हॉकी को वैसी ही मदद मिले जो आइ सी एल और आइ पी एल की सहायता से क्रिकेट को दे रहे हैं ये लोग, तो शायद हॉकी खेलने वाले लोग भी उभरेंगे।वरना हॉकी शायद देश के मानचित्र से गायब हो जाए। शायद ऐसा ही देश से जुड़े बाकी चीजों की हालत भी है।
क्या कोई सुन रहा है?

भारत और भारतीयता की रक्षा करनी है तो आगे आओ दोस्तों, वरना शायद देर ना हो जाए ..........

Nathuram Godse's speech at trial

" On January 13, 1948, I learnt that Gandhiji had decided to go on fast unto death. The reason given was that he wanted an assurance of Hindu-Muslim Unity... But I and many others could easily see that the real motive... [was] to compel the Dominion Government to pay the sum of Rs 55 crores to Pakistan, the payment of which was emphatically refused by the Government.... But this decision of the people's Government was reversed to suit the tune of Gandhiji's fast. It was evident to my mind that the force of public opinion was nothing but a trifle when compared with the leanings of Gandhiji favourable to Pakistan.

• ....In 1946 or thereabout, Muslim atrocities perpetrated on Hindus under the Government patronage of Surhawardy in Noakhali made our blood boil. Our shame and indignation knew no bounds when we saw that Gandhiji had come forward to shield that very Surhawardy and began to style him as 'Shaheed Saheb' - a martyr - even in his prayer meetings...

• ....Gandhiji's influence in the Congress first increased and then became supreme. His activities for public awakening were phenomenal in their intensity and were reinforced by the slogans of truth and non-violence which he ostentatiously paraded before the country... I could never conceive that an armed resistance to the aggressor is unjust...

• ... Ram killed Ravan in a tumultuous fight... Krishna killed Kansa to end his wickedness... In condemning Shivaji, Rana Pratap and Guru Govind as 'misguided patriots,' Gandhiji has merely exposed his self-conceit... Gandhiji was, paradoxically, a violent pacifist who brought untold calamities on the country in the name of truth and nonviolence, while Rana Pratap, Shivaji and the Guru will remain enshrined in the hearts of their countrymen forever...
  

• ....By 1919, Gandhiji had become desperate in his endeavours to get the Muslims to trust him and went from one absurd promise to another... He backed the Khilafat movement in this country and was able to enlist the full support of the National Congress in that policy... very soon the Moplah Rebellion showed that the Muslims had not the slightest idea of national unity... There followed a huge slaughter of Hindus... The British Government, entirely unmoved by the rebellion, suppressed it in a few months and left to Gandhiji the joy of his Hindu-Muslim Unity... British Imperialism emerged stronger, the Muslims became more fanatical, and the consequences were visited on the Hindus...
  

• The accumulating provocation of 32 years, culminating in his last pro-Muslim fast, at last goaded me to the conclusion that the existence of Gandhiji should be brought to an end immediately... he developed a subjective mentality under which he alone was the final judge of what was right or wrong... Either Congress had to surrender its will to him and play second fiddle to all his eccentricity, whimsicality... or it had to carry on without him... He was the master brain guiding the civil disobedience movement... The movement may succeed or fail; it may bring untold disasters and political reverses, but that could make no difference to the Mahatma's infallibility... These childish inanities and obstinacies, coupled with a most severe austerity of life, ceaseless work and lofty character, made Gandhiji formidable and irresistible... In a position of such absolute irresponsibility, Gandhiji was guilty of blunder after blunder...

• ....The Mahatma even supported the separation of Sindh from the Bombay Presidency and threw the Hindus of Sindh to the communal wolves। Numerous riots took place in Karachi, Sukkur, Shikarpur and other places in which the Hindus were the only sufferers...

• ...From August 1946 onwards, the private armies of the Muslim League began a massacre of the Hindus... Hindu blood began to flow from Bengal to Karachi with mild reactions in the Deccan... The Interim government formed in September was sabotaged by its Muslim League members, but the more they became disloyal and treasonable to the government of which they were a part, the greater was Gandhi's infatuation for them...
  

• Congress, which had boasted of its nationalism and socialism, secretly accepted Pakistan and abjectly surrendered to Jinnah. India was vivisected and one-third of the Indian territory became foreign land to us... This is what Gandhiji had achieved after 30 years of undisputed dictatorship, and this is what Congress party calls 'freedom'...

• Of the conditions imposed by Gandhiji for his breaking of the fast unto death related to the mosques in Delhi occupied by Hindu refugees. But when Hindus in Pakistan were subjected to violent attacks he did not so much as utter a single word to protest and censure the Pakistan government...

• Gandhi is being referred to as the Father of the Nation. But if that is so, he had failed his paternal duty inasmuch as he has acted very treacherously to the nation by his consenting to the partitioning of it... The people of this country were eager and vehement in their opposition to Pakistan. But Gandhiji played false with the people...

• I shall be totally ruined, and the only thing I could expect from the people would be nothing but hatred... if I were to kill Gandhiji। But at the same time, I felt that Indian politics in the absence of Gandhiji would surely be proved practical, able to retaliate, and be powerful with armed forces. No doubt, my own future would be totally ruined, but the nation would be saved from the inroads of Pakistan...

• I do say that my shots were fired at the person whose policy and action had brought rack and ruin and destruction to millions of Hindus... There was no legal machinery by which such an offender could be brought to book, and for this reason I fired those fatal shots...

• I do not desire any mercy to be shown to me... I did fire shots at Gandhiji in open daylight. I did not make any attempt to run away; in fact I never entertained any idea of running away. I did not try to shoot myself... for, it was my ardent desire to give vent to my thoughts in an open Court. My confidence about the moral side of my action has not been shaken even by the criticism levelled of against it on all sides. I have no doubt, honest writers of history will weigh my act and find the true value thereof some day in future. "
  

जाने होगा क्या

कल को चला था,
आज कहाँ आ गया.
जाने की क्या गलती थी,
जो यहाँ आ गया.

आने के बाद जाना नहीं,
खोने के बाद पाना ही.
आ गए तो आगे,
पीछे अब जाना नहीं.

पाने का मज़ा तो तब है,
जब कुछ खो कर आओ.
हंसने का अंदाज़ देखो,
जो रोकर पाओ.

सब फुरसत के फ़साने हैं,
बेमाने ये बहाने हैं.
अनाज के ये दाने हैं,
जो बिखर ही जाने हैं.

बचपन के बाद तो,
जवानी ही आनी है.
खेलने के बाद तो,
रवानी ही आनी है.

अब तो सारे रास्ते,
खुल गए हमारे वास्ते.
अब तो उजाला हुआ,
अँधेरा तो गुम हुआ.

जियो जिन्दादिली से,
हर ग़म के मज़े लो.
शाम को ना लिया,
तो सुबह के चार बजे लो.

शिवमंदिर भारत भर के: शिवरात्रि पर विशेष

Somnath Temple in Gujarat

Somnath Temple Jyotirlinga is situated at Somnath Patan (the south coast of Saurashtra), near Veraval in (Prabhas Kshetra) Kathaiwad district in Gujarat. Somnath is considered to be the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva and is a revered pilgrimage center in India.

Legend of Somnath Temple
Skanda Purana, in a chapter on Prabhasa Khanda, describes the emergence of this Jyotirlinga. Legend goes that the moon was married to the 27 daughters of Daksha Prajapati. Amongst all his wives, he had special love towards Rohini and neglected the others. Seeing the negligence of Chandra towards his other wives Prajapati Daksha cursed Chandra that he would lose his beauty and radiance. But because of a moon devoid of radiance and beauty the entire world became lifeless. A disturbed Chandra, came down to Prabhasa with Rohini and worshipped the Sparsa Linga of Somnath after which he was blessed by Shiva to grow and shine in the bright half. As the moon regained his light here, this town came to be known as Prabhasa. Brahma, one of the trinity, installed the Brahmashila, and paved way for the construction of the temple. On the request of the Chandrama and other gods Bhagwan Shankar assumed the name Somchandra (Jyotirlinga) and resided there eternally. He became famous by the name Somnath in the three worlds. Since, it was the Prabhas Kshetra where Bhagwan Shri Krishna performed all his Lilas. In this temple there is a small cave in which a lamp burns continuously.

The Skanda Purana describes the Sparsa Linga of Somnath as one bright as the sun, the size of an egg, lodged underground. The Mahabharata also refers to the Prabhasa Kshetra and the legend of the moon worshipping Shiva.

Ransacking and Rebuilding of Somnath Jyotirlinga
Somnath Jyotirling has been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times in the history:

• Accounts of glory and wealth of Somnath by the Arab traveler Al Biruni prompted a visit by Mahmud of Ghazini who ransacked and destroyed the temple in 1025 CE. It was immediately rebuilt by King Bhima of Gujarat and King Bhoja of Malwa.
• Somnath temple was destroyed again by Alaf Khan, the general of Allauddin Khilji in 1300 CE. It was rebuilt again by King Mahipala of the Chudasama dynasty.
• Somnath shrine was destroyed yet again in 1390, 1490, 1530 and finally in 1701 by Aurangazeb. It was rebuilt with perseverance each time after it was destroyed.

Mallikarjun Temple in Andhra pradesh

Mallikarjun Temple is situated on Shri Shaila Mountain by the banks of the Patal Ganga, Krishna River in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. Also known as Kailash of the South, Mallikarjuna constitutes one of the 12 Jyotirlingam shrines of Shiva and is one of the greatest Shaivaite shrines in India. The presiding deities of Mallikarjuna Temple are Mallikarjuna (Shiva) and Bhramaramba (Devi). Every year there is a fair organized on account of Mahashivratri.

Legend of Mallikarjun Jyotirlinga
According to Shiva Purana, when Lord Ganesh was married of before his Kartikeya, and because of this brother Kartikeya became angry. Despite being stopped and consoled by his parents Shiv-Parvati, Kartikeya went away to the Kraunch Mountain. Even the Gods went and tried consoling Kartikeya but all their efforts were in vain. Because of this incident Shiv-Parvati were very sad and both decided that they would themselves go to Kraunch Mountain. However, when Kartikeya came to know that his parents have arrived, he went away. Eventually Lord Shiva assumed the form of Jyotirlinga and resided on that mountain by the name of Mallikarjuna. Mallika means Parvati, while Arjuna is another name of Shiva. In this way both Shiva and Parvati came to reside in this linga. It is said that by merely seeing the tip of mountain one is emancipated from all his sins and worries. The person becomes free from the vicious cycle of life and death.

Architecture of Mallikarjun Temple
The architecture of the ancient Mallikarjun Temple is very beautiful and intricate. The temple has fort like walls, towers and a rich endowment of sculptural work. The huge temple is built in the Dravidian style with lofty towers and sprawling courtyards and is considered to be one of the finest specimens of Vijayanagar architecture. Temple of Tripurantakam, Siddavatam, Alampura and Umamaheswaram located in the vicinity of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlina are considered to be the four gateways to Sri Sailam.

Bhramaramba Shrine
Located adjacent to the Mallikarjun Temple is a shrine dedicated to Goddess Jagdamba who is known as Bhramaramba here. The Bhramaramba shrine is considered to be of great significance. Legend has it that Durga is said to have assumed the shape of a bee and worshipped Shiva here, and chose this place as her abode.

Mahakaleshwara Temple in Ujjain

Mahakaleshwara Temple is located by the banks of river Kshipra, in the dense Mahakal forests in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. It is an important Shaivaite pilgrimage centre in North India and is revered as one of the 12 Jyotilinga manifestations of Shiva.

Legend Behind Mahakal Temple
According to an episode narrated in Puranas, a five-year-old boy named Shrikar was enthralled seeing the devotion of King Chandrasena of Ujjain towards Lord Shiva. Shrikar took a stone and by considering it a linga started worshipping it regularly. Others thought that his worship as merely a game and tried to dissuade him in all ways. But all the efforts went in vain. On the contrary, devotion of Shrikar increased by every passing day. Pleased by the boy’s devotion Lord Shiva assumed Jyotirlinga form and resided in the Mahakal forest.

According to another popular legend related to Mahakal Temple, a demon by name, Dushana tormented the residents of Avanti. Shiva appeared from the ground and vanquished the demon. Then, upon the request of the inhabitants of Avanti, Shiva took up a permanent abode here as Mahakaleshwara Jyotirlinga.

Architecture of Mahakal Temple
Bhagwan Mahakaleshwar Temple is located near a lake and has a spacious courtyard surrounded by massive walls. The temple has five levels, one of that is underground. Brass lamps light the way to the underground sanctum or Garbha Griha where the Jyotirlinga is situated. The Linga is quite big in size and is encircled by a snake of silver. On one side of the Linga there is the idol of Lord Ganesha while on the other side, idols of Goddess Parvati and Kartikeya are installed. The shikhara of temple is adorned with sculptural finery.

Significance of Mahakaleshwara Temple
Mahalakesheshwar Temple is consider significant by the Hindus for the following reasons:
Mahakaleshwara Temple in Ujjain is regarded amongst the seven holy places that can liberate a human. The other six Mukti-Sthal being Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Benares, Kanchipuram and Dwarka.
All devotees that come to participate in the famous Kumbh Mela organized year on the banks of the Kshipra River consider it important to seek blessings of Lord Mahakaleshwar. The Mahakaleshwar Temple has also been referred to in the Tamil hymns of the Nayanmar saints of the 1st millennium CE.

Omkareshwar Temple in Madhya Pradesh

Omkareshwar Temple is situated on the mountain Mandhata by the banks of Narmada River in the Malva area in Madhya Pradesh. Omkareshwar Temple is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. The temple is closely linked with Mammaleshwar Temple (situated on the south of river Narmada) as both the forms of Shiva have been counted as one.

Legend behind Omkareshwar Temple
Shiva Purana describes the greatness of Omkareshwar and Mammaleshwar. It says, two sons of the sun dynasty Mandhata - Ambarish and Mucchkund practiced severe penance and austerities here and pleased Lord Shiva. They also performed great religious sacrifices in this place because of which the mountain is named Mandhata.

Another popular legend says that once upon a time Vidhya Parvat practiced severe penance and worshipped Parthivarchana along with Lord Omkareshwar for nearly six months. As a result Lord Shiva was pleased and blessed him with the desire boon. On the sincere request of all the gods and the sages Lord Shiva made two parts of the lings. One half being Omkareshwara and the other Amaleshwara or Amareshwar.

Some scholar say, King Mandhatha of the Ishvaku clan is believed to have worshipped Shiva here. Besides, Govinda Bhagavatpaada, the Guru of Shankaracharya is believed to have lived in a cave here.

Structure and Significance of Omkareshwar Temple
Omkareshwara Temple is located at a distance of about 12 miles from Mortakka in Madhya Pradesh. A special feature of the location of Omkareshwar Temple is that the river Narmada branches into two and forms an island Mandhata or Shivapuri in the center. The shape of the island resembles that of the visual representation of the Omkara sound, Om. There are two temples here, one to Omkareshwar and one to Amareshwar.

The Omkareshwar Temple is built in the Nagara style and is characterized by a lofty shikhara. There are also shrines to Annapurna and Ganesha here. Before entering the temple one has to pass through two rooms. The Omkareshwar is not affixed to the ground but is naturally installed there. There is always water around it. The significance of this linga is that the linga is not situated below the cupola. The idol of Lord Shiva is situated on the top of the temple. The temple can be reached by ferry from the banks of the river. A huge fair is organized here on the day of Kartik Poornima.

Vaidyanath Temple in Deoghar

Vaidyanath Temple, also called Vaijnath Temple and Baidyanth Temple is located at Deoghar in the Santhal Parganas region of Bihar in the south west of Keeul Station. Baidyanath shrine is revered as one of the twelve Jyotirlingams of Shiva. It may be noted that some schools of thought believe Vaidyanath near Parali in Andhra Pradesh to be the Vaidyanatha Jyotirlingam.

Devotees of Lord Shiva believe that by sincere worship of Vaijnath Jyotirlinga a person is relieved of all worries and miseries in life. It is also said that by worshipping in the shrine a person attains Moksha and all types of happiness. As a tradition, devotees carry ‘Kanwars’ on their shoulders and complete their travel here.

Legend Behind Vaidyanath Temple
Legend has it that demon King of Lanka, Ravana meditated upon Lord Shiva, as he wanted to request him to come over to Sri Lanka and make his capital invincible. It is said that Ravana attempted to lift Mount Kailash and take it with him to his capital. However, Lord Shiva crushed it with his finger. Ravana prayed to him and sought his mercy, after which Bhagwan Shiva gave him one of the twelve Jyotirlingams on the condition that if it were placed on the ground it shall fix itself to the ground and shall remain there for eternity. Ravana thanked Lord Shiva and holding the Linga carefully started of to the Lanka. However, Varuna the God of Water, entered his belly and caused him to feel an urgent need to relieve himself. Vishnu then came down in the form of a lad and volunteered to hold the Jyotirlingam as he relieved himself. Before Ravana returned, Vishnu placed the Jyotirlingam on the ground and it became rooted to the spot. A disappointed Ravana offered severe penance to Shiva here, and cut off nine of his heads. Shiva revived him and joined the heads to the body, as if by the work of a Vaidya or a physician, hence this Jyotirlingam goes by the name Vaidyanath.

According to another legend, Vaidyanath is one of the 52 Shakti Pitha shrines of Sati. It is believed that the heart of Sati fell here, when her half burnt body being carried by Shiva at the end of Daksha's Yagna was chopped to pieces by Vishnu's discus.

Some people believe that this temple was re-discovered by a cowherd Baiju and hence named Baijnath.

Structure of Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga
Vaidyanath Temple at Deogarh houses a spacious courtyard bound by stone walls. In the temple complex are twenty-two other temples. The Baijnath or Vaidyanath temple faces east. The top of the Shiva Lingam is slightly broken, keeping with the legend that it chipped away when Ravana tried to uproot it. Near the temple is the Shivaganga Lake.

Rameshwaram Temple in Tamil Nadu

Rameshwaram Temple is situated in the island of Rameswaram, off the Sethu coast of Tamil Nadu and is reached via the Pamban Bridge across the sea. The huge temple is known for its long ornate corridors, towers and 36 theerthams.

Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga represents the southernmost of the 12 Jyotirlingams of India and has been a time honored pilgrimage center held on par with Banaras. Rameshwaram Temple Jyotirlinga is associated closely with the Ramayana and Rama's victorious return from Sri Lanka.

Legend behind Rameshwaram Temple
According to a popular legend, it was Lord Rama who installed this Linga here. Story goes that when Lord Ram was on his way to attack Ravana, he reached this place where he made a linga of sand and worshipped it. It is said that when Lord Rama was drinking water on the seashore there was a celestial proclamation - "You are drinking water without worshipping me". Listening to this Lord Rama made a linga of sand and worshipped it and asked to be blessed so that he could vanquish Ravana. Lord Shiva blessed him accordingly. He also requested Lord Shiva to reside eternally here so that entire mankind should benefit from it. Shiva then manifested himself as the Linga and got installed there for eternity.

According to yet another legend, while returning to Ayodhya, Ram worshipped Lord Shiva in the form of a Shiva Lingam made of earth by Sita. It is said that Hanuman was entrusted with the task of bringing an image of Viswanathar from Banaras. Anticipating delay in Hanuman's return from Benares, Rama offered worship to a Shivalingam at a pre-chosen auspicious moment. This lingam is referred to as Ramalingam and the town is known as Rameswaram.

There is yet another Shivalingam here - Viswanathar said to have been brought by Hanuman from Banares. This Shivalingam is referred to as Kasilingam and Hanumalingam. Prayers are offered to Viswanathar before they are offered to Ramanathaswamy.

Structure of Rameshwaram Temple
Rameswaram Temple is spread over an area of 15 acres and has lofty gopurams, massive walls and a colossal Nandi. Rameswaram Jyotirlinga also boasts of a 4000 feet long pillared corridor with over 4000 pillars, supposedly the longest in the world. The carved granite pillars are mounted on a raised platform. Worth noticing fact about this corridor is that the rock is not indigenous to the island and is said to have been brought in from elsewhere in Tamil Nadu across the sea.

The eastern Rajagopuram towers to a height of 126 feet and has nine levels. The Western Rajagopuram is also quite impressive though not as tall as the Eastern one. The temple also has several mandapams with mini shrines to other deities. There is a huge Nandi measuring 12 feet in length and 9 feet in height with the idols of Viswanatha Naicker and Krishnama Naicker. The lingams are housed in the inner section of the Ramalingeshwara. High walls enclose the temple, forming a rectangle with huge pyramidal gopura entrances on each side.

Significance of Rameshwaram Temple Jyotirlinga
Significance of Rameshwaram Temple Jyotirlinga has been described through a shloka in Manas:

Je rameshwar darshan kari hahi |
Te tanu taji mam loka sidaari hahi ||
Meaning: Those who go to Rameshwar and seeks my blessings, shall always reside in Shivloka.

It is said that there is greatness associated with the ceremonial bath given to the linga by water of the Ganga.

Nageshwar Temple in Dwarka

Nageshwar Temple or Nagnath Temple is located on the route between Gomati Dwarka and the Bait Dwarka Island on the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat. The Jyotirlinga enshrined in the Temple of Nagnath is known as Nageshwar Mahadev and attracts thousands of pilgrims all round the year. This powerful Jyotirlinga symbolizes protection from all poisons. It is said that those who pray to the Nageshwar Linga become free of poison. The Rudra Samhita sloka refers to Nageshwar with the phrase 'Daarukaavane Naagesham'.

Legend Behind Nageshwar Temple
According to Shiv Purana, a Shiva devotee by name Supriya was attacked by a demon Daaruka while in a boat. The demon imprisoned him along with several others at his capital Daarukaavana where he resided with his wife Daaruki. Supriya advised all prisoners to recite the mantra ‘Aum Namaha Shivaya’. When Daruk came to know about this he ran to kill Supriya. Instantly Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a Jyotirlingam and vanquished the demon with the Paasupata Astram.

This Jyotirlinga manifestation of Shiva is worshipped as Nageswara. Two other sites in India, one near Audhgram near Purna in Andhra Pradesh and another near Almora in Uttar Pradesh also enshrine temples to Nageswara Jyotirlingam. According to the Shiv Purana, any one who ever with devotion reads the birth and greatness of this Jyotirlinga shall beget all material happiness and divine status in the end.

Structure of Nageshwar Temple
Nageshwar Mahadev Sivalingam is facing South while the Gomugam is facing east. There is a story for this position. A devotee by name Naamdev was singing bhajans in front of the Lord. Other devotees asked him to stand aside and not hide the Lord. To this Naamdev asked them to suggest one direction in which the Lord does not exist, so that he can stand there. The enraged devotees carried him and left him on the southside. To their astonishment, they found that the Linga was now facing South with the Gomugam facing east.

Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi Vishwanath Temple is located amidst the crowded lanes in the holy city of Varanasi also known as Kashi and Benares. The Vishwanath Temple enshrines one of the twelve Jyotirlingams of Lord Shiva and is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites for Hindus. It is believed that Varanasi is the point at which the first Jyotirlinga, the fiery pillar of light by which Shiva manifested his supremacy over other gods, broke through the earth’s crust and flared towards the heavens. More than the Ghats and even the Ganga, the Shivalinga installed in the temple remain the devotional focus of Varanasi. Millions of pilgrims converge here to perform an abhishekam to the sacred Jyotirlingam with sacred water of river Ganga. Significance of Vishwanath Temple Also famous by the name of Shiv Vishwanath Kashi, Shri Vishweshwar Temple is said to be dear to Lord Shiva. Hindus believe that those who come and die here attain liberation. It is said that Lord Shiva gives the Tarak Mantra to the ones who are going to die here. Some also believe that the Lord resides here and is the giver of liberation and happiness. The one who prays and worships Vishweshwar with devotion attains all his desires and one who incessantly recites his name attains all siddhis and finally gets liberated. Structure of Shri Vishwanath Jyotirlinga Temple Shri Vishwanatha Temple is situated amidst the crowded lanes of Varanasi on the banks of the rive Ganga. The temple can be approached from a lane called Vishwanatha lane. Beside its religious significance, the temple is also an architectural marvel. The magnificent edifice offers a breathtaking view to the onlooker. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is also popularly known as the 'Golden Temple' due the gold plating done on its 15.5-meter high spire. One tonne of gold donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh has been used in the gold plating of the spire. Inside the courtyard is the temple of Vishwanatha surrounded by many subsidiary shrines. A well, called Jnana Vapi i.e. ‘wisdom well’ located to the north of the main temple. The Vishwanatha temple consists of a mandapa and a sanctum. Inside the sanctum a linga is set into the center of the floor in a square silver altar. The Linga is of black stone. Though the interior of the temple is not large and elaborate it presents the peaceful atmosphere ideal for worship. History of Vishwanath Temple The famous Vishwanath Temple has been rebuilt several times. The original was supposed to have been built in 1490. However, the original Jyotirlinga of Kashi Vishwanath is a not available. The old temple was destroyed as a result of the Mughal invasion and Aurangazeb built a mosque in place of it. The ancient idol of Vishweshwar is situated in Jnana-Vapi. Even today the western wall of the mosque show the remnants of a temple which had very intricate and fine artwork on it. Both the Kashi Vishwanath and the Gyanvapi Mosque are adjacent to each other The latest structure standing here dates back to the 18th century. It is said that once Lord Shiva came in the dream of Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore. She, being a devotee of Lord Shiva, got the current temple built in 1777 at a distance from the original one.

Trimbakeshwar Temple in Nasik

Shri Trimbakeshwar Temple is located at a distance of about 30-km from Nasik in Maharashtra near the mountain named Brahmagiri from which the river Godavari flows. Trimbakeshwar Temple is revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva and as the source of the river Godavari. Just as Ganga is known as Bhagirathi and is one of the most important river in North India, in the same way, Godavari is also known as Gautami Ganga and is the most sacred river in South India.

According to Shiv Purana, it is because of the earnest request of Godavari, Gautam Rishi and other gods that Lord Shiva agreed to reside here and assumed the famous name Trimbakeshwar. Interestingly, locals refer to the river here as Ganga and not as Godavari. All the heavenly Gods promised to come down to Nasik, once in twelve years, when Jupiter resides in the zodiac sign of Leo. On this a grand fair is organized at this place. Devotees take a holy bath in the Gautami Ganga and then seek the blessings of Trimbakeshwar.

Legend Behind Trimbakeshwar Temple
Legend goes that a sage name Gautam Muni resided on the Brahmagiri hill with his wife Ahilya. By virtue of his devotion, the sage received from Varuna, a bottomless pit from which he received an inexhaustible supply of grains and food. The other rishis, jealous of his fortune, arranged for a cow to enter his granary and caused it to die as Gowtam Rishi attempted to ward it off with a bunch of Darbha grass.

Gautam Rishi, therefore, worshipped Lord Shiva to bring the Ganga down to his hermitage to purify the premises. Pleased with devotion, Shiva requested Ganga to flow down and make Sage Gautam pure. After that Ganga flowed down. Lord Shiva told Ganga to stay there eternally for the good of everyone. All the Gods started singing the praises of Gautam Rishi, Ganga and Lord Shiva. On the request of all the Gods, Lord Shiva resided by the river Gautami by the name Trimbakeshwar (one of the Jyotirlingas) . Hindus believe that Trimbak Jyotirlinga is one, which fulfills everyone’s desires. It emancipates all from their sins and miseries.

Another popular legend behind Trimbakeshwar Temple is the legend of Lingodbhava manifestation of Shiva. It says once Brahma and Vishnu searched in vain to discover the origin of Shiva who manifested himself as a cosmic column of fire. Brahma lied that he had seen the top of the column of fire and was hence cursed that he would not be worshipped on earth. In turn Brahma cursed Shiva that he would be pushed underground. Accordingly, Shiva came down under the Brahmagiri hill in the form of Tryambakeshwar. Trimbakeshwar Temple is the only place where Shivlinga is not out but it’s inside the floor.

Some scholars say that Goddess Parvati also came down along Lord Shiva and Ganga. The place is therefore called Tryambakeshwa (three lords). Others believe that the place is so called because of the presence of three Shivlinga of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. The Shivlinga of Lord Mahesh has always-flowing water among the three Shivlingas.

Structure of Trimbakeshwar Temple
Trimbakeshwar Temple is an ancient shrine, however the current structure is a result of the reconstruction efforts undertaken by the Peshwa Balaji Bajirao in mid 18th century. The temple is built of black stone in the Nagara style of architecture and is enclosed in a spacious courtyard. The sanctum internally a square and externally a stellar structure houses a small Shivalingam - Tryambaka. The sanctum is crowned with a graceful tower, embellished with a giant Amalaka and a golden kalasha. In front of the garbagriha and the antarala is a mandap with doors on all four sides. Three of these doorways are covered with porches and the openings of these porches are ornamented with pillars and arches. Curvilinear slabs rising in steps form roof of the mandapam. The entire structure is ornamented with sculptural work featuring running scrolls, floral designs, and figures of gods, yakshas, humans and animals.

The Shivalingam is seen in a depression on the floor of the sanctum. Water constantly oozes out from the top of the Shivalingam. Usually, the Shivalingam is covered with a silver mask but on festive occasions a golden mask with five faces, each with a golden crown covers it.

Kedarnath Temple in Himalayas

One of the holiest pilgrimages for the Hindus, Kedarnath Temple Jyotirlinga is located in the picturesque surroundings of Rudra Himalaya Range at a height of 12000 feet on a mountain named Kedar. Near Kedarnath is the source of the river Mandakini that joins Alakananda at Rudraprayag. This place is approximately 150 miles away from Hardwar and 132 miles north of Hrishikesh and is accessible by foot.

The temple at Kedarnath enshrining the Jyotirlingam of Shiva opens only 6 months a year (April-November) when the sun enters the zodiac sign of Aries and it is closed when the sun enters Scorpio. The priests then go to Ukhimath, where the worship of Kedareshwara is continued during the winter season.

Tradition has it that when undertaking Kedarnath Yatra pilgrims first visit Yamunotri and Gangotri and bring with them the holy waters from the sources of the rivers Yamuna and Ganga and offer abhishekams to Kedareshwara. The traditional pilgrim route is Haridwar - Rishikesh - Devaprayag - Tehri - Dharasu - Yamunotri - Uttar Kashi - Gangotri - Triyugnarayan - Gowrikund and Kedarnath. The alternative route to Kedar from Rishikesh is via Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag and Ukhimath.

Legend Behind Kedarnath Temple
Legend goes that Nara and Narayana - two incarnations of Vishnu performed severe penance in Badrikashraya of Bharat Khand, in front of a Shivalingam fashioned out of earth. Pleased with their devotion, Lord Shiva appeared in front of them and said that they may ask for a boon. Nar and Narayan requested Shiva to take up a permanent abode as a Jyotirlingam at Kedarnath so that all people who worship Shiva shall be freed from their miseries.

According to yet another popular legend related to Kedar Temple, Goddess Parvati worshipped Kedareshwar to unite with Shiva as Ardhanareeswarar. Besides, the Pandavas are believed to have visited this area several times. Arjuna is believed to have come here to pray to Shiva to obtain the coveted Pasupataastra. The other Pandavas are believed to have come here in search of him, where Draupadi came across the heavenly lotus Kalyana Saugandikam, and requested Bhima to bring here some more of the same. It was during his venturing out to seek these flowers that Bhima met Hanumaan.

Significance of Kedarnath Temple
Located in the lofty Himalayas, Kedarnath Temple is one of the best known Shivasthalams in India and is considered to be one of the most sacred pilgrimage centers of the country. It is believed that by praying to Kedareshwar, one can get all his desires fulfilled. Importance of the shrine can be further understood from the beliefs that Upamanyu prayed to Lord Shiva in this place in Satayuga while in Dwapar, the Pandavas worshipped Lord Shiva here. Even the spiritual leader Adi Sankaracharya is closely associated with Kedarnath.

Structure of Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath Shrine is scenically placed amidst the lofty, snow - covered mountains and grassy meadows covering the valleys. Immediately behind the temple is the high Keadardome peak, which can be sighted from great distances. It is believed that the temple of Kedarnath was constructed by the Pandavas. At the entrance of the temple is the statue of Nandi, the divine bull of Shiva. Walls inside the temple are exquisitely carved with images. The revered Shiva Lingam housed in the temple is in the unusual pyramidal form.

Grishneshwar Temple in Daulatabad

Grishneshwar Temple is an ancient pilgrimage site revered as the abode of one of the 12 Jyotirlinga manifestation of Lord Shiva. The Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga shrine is located at a village called Verul, which lies 20 km from Daulatabad (near Aurangabad in Maharashtra) and approximately 100 kms from Manmad station. Located close to Daulatabad (once known as Devagiri) is the popular tourist attractions Ajanta - Ellora.

The Grishneswar Temple was constructed by Ahilyabhai Holkar who also re-constructed the Kashi Viswanatha Temple at Varanasi and the Vishnu Paada Temple at Gaya. The Grishneshwar Temple is also known by several other names like Kusumeswarar, Ghushmeswara, Grushmeswara and Grishneswara.

Legend Behind Grishneshwar Temple
According to Shivapuran, in the southern direction, on a mountain named Devagiri lived a Brahmin called Brahmavetta Sudharm along with his wife Sudeha. The couple did not have a child because of which Sudeha was sad. Sudeha prayed and tried all possible remedies but in vain. Frustrated of being childless, Sudeha got her sister Ghushma married to her husband. On the advice of her sister, Ghushma used to make 101 lingas, worship them and discharge them in the near by lake.

With the blessings of Lord Shiva, Ghushma gave birth to a baby boy. Because of this, Ghushma became proud and Sudeha started feeling jealous towards her sister. Out of jealously, one night she killed Ghushma’s son and threw him in the lake where Ghushma used to discharge the lingas.

Next morning, Ghushmas and Sudharm got involved in daily prayers and ablutions. Sudeha too, got up and started performing her daily choirs. Ghushma’s daughter-in- law, however, saw stains of blood on her husband’s bed and parts of the body drenched in blood. Horrified, she narrated everything to mother-in-law Ghushma who was absorbed in worshipping Shiva. Ghushma did not deter. Even her husband Sudharma did not move an inch. Even when Ghushma saw the bed drenched in blood she did not break down and said he who has given me this child shall protect him and started reciting ‘Shiva-Shiva’. Later, when she went to discharge the Shivalingas after prayers she saw her son coming. Seeing her son Ghushma was neither happy nor sad. At that time Lord Shiv appeared before her and said - I am pleased with your devotion. Your sister had killed your son. Ghushma told Lord to forgive Sudeh and emancipate her. Pleased with her generosity, Lord Shiva asked her another boon. Ghushma said that if he was really happy with her devotion then he should reside here eternally for the benefit of the multitudes in form of a Jyotirling and may you be known by my name. On her request, Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of a Jyotirling and assumed the name Ghushmeshwar and the lake was named as Shivalaya thereafter.

देश बनाम वोट बैंक

पिछले दिनों केन्द्र की यू पी ए सरकार ने एक ऐतिहासिक घोषणा की। इस घोषणा ने एक नई चर्चा को जन्म दे दिया। ये घोषणा थी:

"आतंकवादियों के आश्रितों को पेंशन देने की"

इस घोषणा ने एक नया विवाद खड़ा किया, परन्तु देश के कथित बुद्धिजीवियों और मीडिया ने कोई प्रतिक्रिया नही दर्ज की क्यूंकि मीडिया तो देश के सबसे बड़े खेल क्रिकेट और फ़िल्म जगत के बारे में बहुत ही महत्वपूर्ण ख़बर देने में लगा था गोया वो देशहित का काम कर रही हो।

यह विवाद था कि "क्या देश के लोगों को मारने वाले, देश के विरुद्ध कार्यरत लोग ये सम्मान पाने के हकदार हैं ?"

आप सभी ये जानते हैं कि इससे पहले ये सम्मान कुछ तरह के लोगों को मिलता आया है , ये लोग हैं:

• सरकारी कर्मचारी।
• देश कि रक्षा विभाग में अपनी सेवाएं देने वाले अधिकारी, वैज्ञानिक।
• देश कि रक्षा करने वाले सिपाही।
• देश के लिए शहीद होने वाले स्वतंत्रता सेनानी।
• देश के लिए जान देने वाले सैनिक के परिजन।
• देश के नेतागण जिन्होंने लोक सभा, राज्य सभा, विधान सभा, विधान परिषद् में काम किया हो।
• देश के राष्ट्रपति ।
  

अब ये सम्मान देशद्रोहियों को भी प्राप्त होगा, जो काफी अचरज की बात है।

क्या ये इन लोगों का अपमान नही है?
क्या देश के लोगों ने इसका विरोध करना चाहिए ?

शायद ये काम देश के कथित अल्पसंख्यकों को संतुष्ट करने के लिए किया गया है, जबकि शायद ये लोग ये नही जानते कि अल्पसंख्यक में जो भारतीय हैं उन्हें इन ओछ्हे तरीकों से भरमाया नही जा सकता। केवल उन लोगों को अपने तरफ़ मोडा जा सकता है जो देश के ख़िलाफ़ काम करते हैं। ये लोग ये भूल जाते हैं की ये सब करके वो आतंक को बढावा देते हैं।

वैसे इस सन्दर्भ में एक और बात याद आती है:
जब देश के बजाय अपनी सेवा करने के लिए राजनीति में आये लोगों को देश के बड़े सम्मानों से नवाजा जा सकता है, तो ये भी शायद ग़लत नहीं (आपने शायद इस बार का पद्म भूषण, विभूषण और श्री पुरस्कारों का वितरण याद रखा हो, जिसमे कुछ राजनीतिज्ञों को भी तवज्जो दी गई, भले ही उन्होंने देश के लिए कुछ भी ना किया हो )।

देखते हैं की इस देश के प्रशासकों का चरित्र और कितना नीचे गिरता है ?
या फ़िर हमें आगे आक़र ये सब रोकना पड़ेगा और इसके ख़िलाफ़ हल्ला बोलना होगा।

भारत विकासशील या नही?

आज का एक वाकया है जिसने मुझे ये सोचने पर मजबूर कर दिया की भारत विकासशील देश है या नहीं?

यह वाकया था ट्रैफिक सिग्नल पर तमाशा दिखा कर पैसे कमाने वाले छोटे बच्चों का:
हुआ कुछ ऐसा की एक साक्षात्कार के सिलसिले में मैं गुरगांव से गाजिअबाद गया था। लौटते समय मैंने ग्रेटर कैलाश के आस पास ट्रैफिक सिग्नल पर कुछ बहुत छोटे बच्चों को तमाशा दिखा कर पैसे मांगते देखा जिसने मेरा ध्यान आकर्षित किया। दृश्य के केन्द्र में एक मैलेकुच्ले कपडों में बच्ची थी, जो शरीर से करतब दिखा कर गुजरती गाड़ी वालों से पैसे मांग रही थी।पास की ही बस्ती में प्लास्टिक के तम्बुओं में शायद उसके माता पिता रहते थे।

दूसरा दृश्य जिसने मेरा ध्यान भंग किया जब मेरी गाड़ी आगे बढ़ी वो कुछ ऐसे था:
ये दृश्य था बच्चों द्वारा ट्रैफिक पर भीख मांगने का। साकेत का था ये किस्सा । इस घटना ने मुझे ये सोचने पर मजबूर किया की अगर विकासशील देश की राजधानी में धन का इतना असमान वितरण है तो बाकी शहरों का अंदाजा लगना कठिन नहीं है ।

• क्या इन लोगों को देश के आर्थिक विकास का फायदा कभी मिलेगा?
• क्या देश के विकास का फायदा लेने के अधिकारी वे लोग नहीं हैं?
• या देश के आर्थिक विकास का फायदा वो ही लोग हैं जिनके कारण दिल्ली की सडकों पर गाड़ियों और ट्रैफिक की दिक्कत हो गई है?

हमारी सरकारें दावा करती हैं प्रति व्यक्ति आय बढ़ने की, और देश के धनवान बनने का, तो क्या उन्हें ये याद नही रहता कि देश की जनसंख्या का एक बहुत बड़ा भाग ऐसे ही गरीब लोगों का है । क्या हमें उन्हें ये याद नही दिलाना चाहिए?
क्या वे बच्चे स्कूल जाना नहीं चाहते होंगे?क्या वे इस काबिल नहीं बन सकते कि समाज के दुसरे लोगों के साथ बैठ सकें?ऐसे बहुत से सवाल हैं जो यह साबित करते हैं कि भारत अभी कम विकसित देश है। ये तो कोई और देश है जो विकासशील है, शायद इसी देश का नाम इंडिया है, क्यूंकि इस देश में वो लोग रहते हैं जो कान्वेंट स्कूल में पढ़ते हैं, और गरीबों को कीडे मकोडे समझते हैं। इस देश इंडिया के लोगों कि एक और खासियत है:
ये देश के साथ जुड़े बहुत सी बातों को जानते भी नहीं,मसलन:

• इनमे से बहुत से लोग तो राष्ट्रगान को राष्ट्रीय गीत कहते हैं।
• इन्हें हिन्दी बोलना या तो आती नही वरना बोलने में शर्म आती है ।
• इनको देश के राष्ट्रीय पशु, पक्षी, वगैरह किसी चीज़ से कोई सरोकार नही , और ना ये इन सब चीजों के बारे में जानते हैं॥

क्या इंडिया ही विकास करेगा , भारत नहीं?
ये सवाल कब अपना उत्तर पायेगा , ये तो अभी देखना है, हमें आपको, और भारत देश की करोड़ों अरबों की जनसंख्या को..