Devraha Baba’s Machan (a high wood and thatch platform) – This photo was taken at Yogiraj Devraha Baba Samadhi Sthal and Ashram across Kesi Ghat in Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh).
Description of 51 Shakti Peeth (in Hindi) – The above photo was taken at Bhuteshwar Mahadev temple in Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) during Braj Chaurasi (84) Kos Yatra).
Chappan (56) Bhog for Govardhandhari – This photo was taken during Braj Chaurasi (84) Kos Yatra.
According to legends, the people of Braj had a custom of offering sumptuous food to Lord Indra, the rain god. In return, Lord Indra promised good rains to nourish their crops.
Lord Krishna believed that this was a harsh price that poor farmers had to pay. Furthermore, he wanted the people of Braj to accept the importance of Govardhan Parvat (mountain).
Lord Krishna explained to the villagers that Govardhan Parvat protects the villagers from harsh climatic conditions, so the villagers started worshiping the mountain instead of Indra.
Enraged by this gesture of the villagers, Indra brought heavy rain, and soon the village was drowned.
People prayed to Lord Krishna to save their lives.
Lord Krishna came to their rescue and lifted the huge Govardhan Parvat and placed it on the tip of his little finger to save his villagers from Indra’s wrath. Everyone, including cattle, took shelter under the mountain.
The rain continued for 7 days, and thus Lord Krishna continued to stand holding the mountain until Lord Indra realized his mistake and the rain stopped. Since then, Lord Krishna came to be known as Govardhandhari, the one who bears the Govardhan Parvat.
Yashoda Maiya (Krishna’s mother) usually fed Lord Krishna 8 meals a day, but he did not eat any food during these 7 days. Therefore, at the end of the seventh day, once the rain had stopped, the villagers gratefully offered a total of 56 dishes (8 meals multiplied by 7 days) to Lord Krishna. Thus, the concept of 56 – Chappan Bhog (Prasada) emerged, and it became a ritual of offering 56 dishes to Lord Krishna/Govardhan Parvat during auspicious occasions & festivals.
This vegetable is known as शरणी (Sherni in the Marathi language).
My maid enhances my knowledge by saying that it is acetic in taste. Maharashtrians cut it into small pieces, add salt, and dry it for one whole day under the Sun. The next day, they fry it in hot oil and have it with Khichdi (A dish in South Asian cuisine made of rice & lentils). Very tasty.
She also said that it is broken via fist at the entrance of the house on Diwali (festival of lights) day and is considered auspicious.
Knowledge enhanced. Thanks to the maid.
Lord Bhuteshwar is the Kotwal of Mathura. The way Rama worshiped Rameshwar to win the victory over Lanka and won, by the order of Lord Rama, Shatrughan worshiped Bhuteshwar Mahadev, and by killing the powerful demon Lavanasura, he liberated Mathura from the demons. Madhu and Kaitabha in Treta Yuga were two demons who were killed by Chandi. Madhu’s son was Lavanasura. Lavanasura did penance and asked for an unconquered (trident) boon from Lord Bhuteshwar. Lord Shiva gave a boon to Lavanasura that as long as there is a trident in his palace, no one will be able to kill him. After having boon, Lavanasura became free from the fear of death and created terror in Mathura. Lavanasura did not allow the sages to perform the Yagya and started killing them. Saddened by this, the sages reached Ayodhya with a sense of their protection, where Lord Rama was the ruler, and there was Rama Raj. The sages requested Lord Rama to send Shatrughan to Mathura to protect them and make him the king of Mathura. Lord Rama ordered Shatrughan to go to Mathura to protect the sages. Shatrughan reached Mathura, but even after three wars, he could not conquer Lavanasura. Desperate Shatrughan came back to Ayodhya and told Lord Rama that even after three wars, he could not get the victory. On this, Shri Rama asked him to go back to Mathura, and before the war, worship Bhuteshwar in the same way as before invading Lanka, Shri Rama accompanied the monkey army to Rameshwaram and worshipped Rameshwaram. Shatrughan did exactly the same and established the kingdom over Mathura by killing Lavanasura. Even in the Dwapar Yuga, there is a description of the glory of Bhuteshwar. Lord Krishna lived in Gokul for five years, Leela for seven years, and, in 11 years 28 days killed Kansa. After this, he went to Dwarka. After returning to Mathura again at the end of the Kurukshetra War, the parents remind him of the promise that he had promised to take them to Chardham, that he should fulfill it. Shri Krishna said I am alone and you are four that is why I invite all the four Dhams and 33 Koti deities to Braj. After this, wherever Lord Krishna went grazing, Gods were seated. Hence, it is also called Gaulok. Ganga Ji and Kashi Vishwanath did not come. On this Ganga Ji said that to reach Mathura, Yamuna Ji will have to be crossed, due to which the honor of the sister will be insulted. Shri Krishna incarnated Ganga Ji as Manasi Ganga. Lord Kashi Vishwanath is said to be elevated in Braj in the form of Lord Bhuteshwar Mahadev. Lord Bhole Nath said that you can see Bhuteshwar in your area, made him Kotwal, and Shri Krishna made him the owner of Braj Chaurasi (84) Kos. Therefore, Bhuteshwar Mahadev is also called the Kotwal of Mathura. The specialty of this temple is that God is present everywhere to protect the 52 Shakti Peethas. Here, Sati‘s hair had fallen, which is said to be the eleventh form. Bhuteshwar to protect the Pind, Mahadev is present in the name of Bhuteshwar Bhairav.
A H Helmets, I found the best-branded helmet store in the Mumbai Suburbs.
Recently, I purchased a STUDDS Premium vent Full Face Motorbike Helmet (Black) from AH Helmets, as nowadays wearing a helmet is compulsory in Mumbai for the pillion rider.
And the cost I paid was Rs. 1230 – No bargain.
The weight of the helmet is 1150 gm.
Though online the price is a little less but there was an urgent need for the pillion rider helmet, thus I paid that amount.