PLEASING RAIN GOD
Another religious event, which was almost a regular feature, was that whenever there were delayed or no rains for an abnormally longer period and consequent emergence of drought threat, residents would get together at the Shiva Temple situated in Upli Jabbar under a huge and centuries old Arjuna Tree, on a fixed day and Rudra Mahajagna was arranged where five holy priests along with few most senior residents and head of the village chanted hymns to the deity while pouring oblations of ghee, saturated barley and black sesame seeds into a large sacrificial square of holy fire. This ritual was performed from morning till evening for the well being of all and at the same time to please Lord Shiva and the rain god.
A large quantity of high quality sizzling hot Karah Prashad was distributed to the gathering after the completion of the yagna and the Aarti. People, mostly women came to listen to the stories from the puranas and Srimad Bhagwat Gita on creation of harmony in life and following values given by our ancestors.
While yagna was going on, people including school children made a bee -line in a circular chain from the temple premises downwards to the river along with whatever types of pots they could lay their hands on, for fetching river water. This was then poured on the Shivlingam inside the temple while blocking the outlet from inside, until the Shivlingam was, completely immersed in to the river water.
During this process, a miracle would happen to the pleasant surprise to everyone. The sky would start overcasting slowly from all sides. The water so collected in the temple room is then released with great fanfare amidst chanting of hymns in praise of rain god. As soon as the released water gushing downwards meets with the main water channel of Jabbar Khad, wind storm of low intensity would start followed by drizzling and steadily changing into heavy rains.
While the process of Rudra Mahayagna and immersing of Shivlingam was on, a community langar (Jag) was also arranged on a very large scale on the opposite side of Shiva Temple on the bank of Jabbar Khad in Atte-da-Bagh. People gathered there would be completely drenched while eating, sitting on the ground in long rows and dust storm took their pattals and donas away with it. However, on settling down after a short while, eating by the people would go on until late evening. That was the moment which the residents of the area cherished for long! Dancing, shouting at high pitch and doing all sorts of merry-making, they spread the wave of happiness all around to welcome the long awaited rains, which no one is ready to accept as the effect of meteorological combination and calculations.
In this temple complex, another Hanuman Mandir which was constructed by Chhaju Sunaar, is worth visiting in solitude. In the immediate vicinity of this Mandir, is yet another large sized Hanuman image artistically carved out on the rock by Arun Sharma, the writer's youngest brother. It is an excellent piece of sculptor and is appreciated by one and all.
In the peaceful environment, under the cool shade of Arjuna Tree, one may find here rare solitude and tranquility for a while!
A large quantity of high quality sizzling hot Karah Prashad was distributed to the gathering after the completion of the yagna and the Aarti. People, mostly women came to listen to the stories from the puranas and Srimad Bhagwat Gita on creation of harmony in life and following values given by our ancestors.
While yagna was going on, people including school children made a bee -line in a circular chain from the temple premises downwards to the river along with whatever types of pots they could lay their hands on, for fetching river water. This was then poured on the Shivlingam inside the temple while blocking the outlet from inside, until the Shivlingam was, completely immersed in to the river water.
During this process, a miracle would happen to the pleasant surprise to everyone. The sky would start overcasting slowly from all sides. The water so collected in the temple room is then released with great fanfare amidst chanting of hymns in praise of rain god. As soon as the released water gushing downwards meets with the main water channel of Jabbar Khad, wind storm of low intensity would start followed by drizzling and steadily changing into heavy rains.
While the process of Rudra Mahayagna and immersing of Shivlingam was on, a community langar (Jag) was also arranged on a very large scale on the opposite side of Shiva Temple on the bank of Jabbar Khad in Atte-da-Bagh. People gathered there would be completely drenched while eating, sitting on the ground in long rows and dust storm took their pattals and donas away with it. However, on settling down after a short while, eating by the people would go on until late evening. That was the moment which the residents of the area cherished for long! Dancing, shouting at high pitch and doing all sorts of merry-making, they spread the wave of happiness all around to welcome the long awaited rains, which no one is ready to accept as the effect of meteorological combination and calculations.
In this temple complex, another Hanuman Mandir which was constructed by Chhaju Sunaar, is worth visiting in solitude. In the immediate vicinity of this Mandir, is yet another large sized Hanuman image artistically carved out on the rock by Arun Sharma, the writer's youngest brother. It is an excellent piece of sculptor and is appreciated by one and all.
In the peaceful environment, under the cool shade of Arjuna Tree, one may find here rare solitude and tranquility for a while!
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