Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Himalayan Legends & Pilgrimages

As an abode of peace, there are many references to the Himalya as the place where sages and common people have meditated in the pursuit of peace most myths associated with the Himalayas have a base in the idea of penance most myths associated with the Himalayas have a base in the idea of penance.

Kedarnath:- A story goes that there were once two sages, Nara and Narayana. They meditated for long years in the Himalayas. Lord Siva was impressed by their dedication, and after many years, came along to meet them. As the two sages sat awed by his very presence, the Lord said he was so happy that he would grant them a boon. The sages asked that the Lord might rest on these mountains forever. Since then the Jyotirlinga or the symbol of Saivite worship, installed itself at a place called Kedarnath and people from all over the world visit it to catch a glimpse of Shiva’s (also spelt as Shiv, Siva or Shiva) essence.

Pancha Kendaras:- Even the Pandavas, the five heroic brothers of the epic, Mahabharata, are said to have visited the Lord here. When Lord Shiva saw them coming he, however, changed his form into one of a buffalo and tried to run away. The five brothers managed to get hold of him, but only his posterior. It is believed that in Kedaradesa only the posterior part of the Lord remains. His body was separated into five parts and spread all over the Himalyas and these five sites are together known as “Pancha Kendaras”. The devotees visit all of them.

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