रविवार, 10 फ़रवरी 2008










History
According to the Purana's the divine couple Adrishire-Urdhvashira mocked at the three-legged dancer Bhringarishi, who performed dance at Lord Shiva’s Assembly. Bhringarishi cursed this couple to take birth on earth. On their remorse, Bhringarishi said, “You will be relieved from the curse when a Shiva Gyani who never breathes, never closes his eyelids, never eats for his survival, who never cares for earthly comforts will take birth from you”. The couple prayed to Lord Shiva begging for the removal of the curse. Lord Shiva promised them he will relieve them from curse by taking birth as their son.
Accordingly this couple took birth on earth as Muddadev at Sonnalige (Solapur in Maharashtra) and Suggaladevi at Mangalwadi (Mangalweda in Maharashtra). When this couple grew old, their Kulaguru the great Hermit, His Holiness, Jagadguru Revanasiddheshwara blessed saying "A great Shivayogi with extraordinary features will take birth from your womb". Suggaladevi requested Jagadguru to enlighten her of such blessings at her old age. The Jagadguru explained, "Nine months hence you will give birth to a child, his birth being unlike all other human beings. You must name him Siddharam. Jagadguru's words came true; Suggaladevi found her son born miraculously and lying in front of her while she was deep in worship of the Shivalinga. Shri. Siddharameshwar (divine incarnation of Lord Shiva) was born to relieve the couple from their curse. Goddess Parvati came for the Shivayogi's naming ceremony and named him five names: Animishayogi, Pranayogi, Nityatripta, Karunrudra and Siddharam.
Siddharama was different than other kids and he spent his time in chanting God's name and in meditation; which made his father Muddadev consider him a dumb. Hence he occupied Siddharam in the task of rearing cattle in the fields. One day Lord Shiva appeared in the guise of a Jangam Swami and called himself Mallinath from Shrishail. The place where Mallinath met Siddharam is known as 'Gurubhet' which is now in front of the Collector's Bungalow in Solapur, Maharashtra. This Jangam requested Siddharam to server him hot hurada (fried tender Jowar). Next he demanded curd-rice at the earliest in order to soothen the burning sensation in his stomach. Siddharam ran to his home and asked his mother for curd-rice. The mother was astonished with the speech of her son and handed over the curd-rice to him.
On his return to the fields, he searched for Mallayya and didnot find him. There he inquired with the Kawadi Jangams who were on a pilgrimage to Shrishail. They promised him of showing Mallayya. His quest for Mallayya made him determined to go to Shrishail. At Shrishail he was shown Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga however this linga of black stone didnot please him. Then he inquired every object and every people about the whereabouts of Mallayya running over the length and breadth of the vast Shrishail. Siddharama was undergoing a tough time and he began to weep. His tears were collected in the earth in the form of a tank, presently known as 'Nayan-Kunda' at Shrishail. When Shivayogi Siddharam reached the brink of a very deep valley 'Rudrakada' and peeping down he yelled out "Mallayya, Mallayya!", his words echoed. So Shivayogi Siddharam considered that Lord Mallayya is down there. Lord Mallayya didnt show up and continued to test Siddharam. While Siddharam was about to jump in the valley, Lord Mallinath appeared and caught hold of Siddharam by his hands. The Lord pacified him and offered 'Vajrakundal' and 'Yoga Danda' which possesses the potential to fulfill all wishes.
The Lord Mallinath asked Siddharam to return to Sonnalgie to wash out the grief of the entire life on earth. The Lord Mallinath assured him that he himself will appear in the form of Shivalinga in Sonnalgie. Shivayogi Siddharam returned to Sonnalgie; the ruler of that time Nannappa and his wife Chamala Devi gave 5 kosa land as they were told by a vision of Lord Shiva. Shivayogi Siddharam consecrated 68 lingas by the holy hands of Jagadguru Kapilasiddha Panditardhya, within the Panch Crosh of Sonnalgie making Sonnalgie a "Kshetra" (holy place).
Siddharam erected many 'Anna-Chatras' in Sonnalgie to provide free food and prasad to all the devotees without discrimination of caste and creed. He performed daily the religious rites of Vidyadaan (education), Vastradaan, Godaan and Bhoodaan. With the intention of providing 'teerthodaka' to all he dug a lake (surrounding the Shri. Siddharameshwar temple). Four thousand disciples volunteered their labour and services in this holy project. Rivers Varana, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Kaveri, Bhima and Malaprabha, led by Ganga appeared to Lord Shiva's orders. Next they resumed the shape of pure waters and settled in the center of this lake as 68 holy teerthas.
Jagganmata Girija (Parvati) invited Shivayogi Sadguru to Kailasa and demonstratd the "Yoganmajjabhisheka". She recommended him to perform this ritual daily. On his return to Sonnalgie, Shivayogi Siddharam performed Yoganmajjabhisheka daily for the welfare and good-being of its people. Lord Shiva directed Shivayogi Siddharama how to install 'Aadilinga'. It is significant to note that 'Aadilinga' is found only in 'Kailasa' and on the earth only in Sonnalgie.
Shri। Shivayogi Siddharameshwar performed many miracles and the people were convinced of his supernatural powers. Shri. Shivayogi Siddharameshwar was very kind to human beings and all the other creatures. On Soumyanam savanstara panchami shake 1111 Shri. Shivayogi Siddharameshwar entombed himself alive at Sonnalgie.



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Shri. Siddharameshwar Yatra
Shri. Siddharameshwar Yatra is being conducted since 900 years. This yatra consists of procession of Nandidhwaja, Akshata and Homa ceremonies which are performed every year during Makar Sankrant. Every year this yatra is held from 12th to 15th January. The actual function starts from 10th January.
A female devotee worshiped and served Sadguru Siddharameshwar for long time. She was daughter of a Lingadhari potter named Gundayya. One fine day Sadguru Siddharameshwar asked her why was she so intensely devoted and what she intended to achieve. She candidly but politely opened her heart to him saying that she wished to attain spiritual salvation by performing marriage with Siddharama. For Shivayogi Siddharama it was impossible to marry in a worldly manner. However, Siddharama offered his Yoga Danda to her and asked her to marry his ‘Yog Danda’. This symbolical marriage was meant for her spiritualism and truth satisfaction. Considering that she has attained the spiritual salvation and supreme bliss, she thought of discarding her mundane body and leave her soul alone, which has now attained pristine purity. Hence she plunged into ‘Homa’ (holy fire) as a Sati. These events are observed yearly as Akhata and Homa ceremony.
On 10th January, Shete family performs Yoga Danda pooja. Shete family also performs Shri Hirehabbu’s and Habbu’s 'Paad-pooja'.
On 12th January, the first pooja of Nandikol is performed by Shri. Hirehabbu and Shri Deshmukh. On behalf of Government Shri. Deshmukh presents a Aaher to Shri. Hirehabbu. All the Nandikol's are carried to 68 lingas by the devotees. Devotees carry these huge Nandikol’s vertically over their abdomen supporting with hands, so that the top most wide portion of Nandikol floats high up in the sky. Shri. Hirehabbu offers vida (betel leaves wrapped around betel nuts) to all the mankaris near Amrut Linga. After offering oil and haldi by the mankari’s Shri. Hirehabbu performs pooja of each linga, this ritual is known as Yannimajjan.
On 13th January, the ‘Day of Bhogi’, first pooja of Nandikol is performed by Shri. Hirehabbu and Shri. Deshmukh. Then first Nandikol is decorated with ‘Bashinga’ (a ritual of tying strand of flower to the brides and bride-grooms forehead decorated with designs of golden paper) and worshiped in Shri. Hire Habbu’s Waada. Then a grand procession of Nandikol’s (Nandidhwaja’s) and Siddharameshwar’s ‘Palakhi’ is taken through the city. Nandikol’s are carried by thousands of devotees turn by turn. Finally these are brought to the ‘Samati Katta’; which is in the campus of Shri. Siddharameshwar temple. On arrival Shri. Hirehabbu and Shri. Deshmukh perform the pooja of the seven Nandikol’s.
Next, ‘Sugadi pooja’ is done by worshiping thirteen Kalasas filled with Gangajal (holy water) followed by Samati pooja. Then Samati is handed over to Shete family by Shri. Hirehabbu and Shri. Deshmukh for reading the Mangalashtak. Then Yoga Danda’s marriage ceremony is performed, this Akshata Sohala is attended by 2-3 lakh devotees. People offer Bashinga and Coconut garlands to the Nandikol’s. At night the yatra returns to Shri. Hirehabbu’s Waada.
On 14th January, the Nandikol’s are taken to Shri. Siddharameshwar temple. There the coating of Karmutagi is applied on the Yoga Danda, Gods idol and to all seven Nandikols and then they are given ‘Abhyanga Snana’ (holy water bath). Next the Ganga poojan is performed and Shri. Hirehabbu offer vida to Shri. Deshmukh. One more pooja vidhi is performed by Shri. Hirehabbu in the main Shri. Siddharameshwar temple. Then the Nandikols are returned to Shri. Hirehabbu’s Waada in the afternoon.
In the evening the Nandikol procession starts from Juni Fousdar Chavadi; where the first Nandikol is decorated with a symbol of snake called ‘Nagfani’ and other Nandikol’s are decorated with Bashing’s. Shri. Hirehabbu performs first Nandikol’s pooja and all the honoraries are offered ‘Manacha Haar’. Then a honored person who is fasting on the same day carries the first Nandikol to Homakatta. There five stems of bajara (pearl millet) are used to create a symbol of the Kumbhar Kanya. She is decorated with shalu and all other soubhagya alankar’s such as vermillion, green bangles, mani, mangalsutra, jodave and bashinga. Next her lap is filled with auspicious items like dates, betelnut, turmeric seeds, coconut, almonds etc. Then Shri. Hirehabbu performs pooja and gives her agni then she is left into Homa. Then five pradakshina’s are done to the Homa-Kund by all the Nandikol’s and then the 'Til Gul' ritual is done at the Shri. Siddharameshwar temple.
On the same day the prices of grains is predicated as follows: A six month old calf is starved for one day prior. On the day of the festival various crops are placed in front of it. If it consumes a particular crop, it means there will be price hike of that crop. If the calf ‘passes water’ on the occasion it means there will be no scarcity of water and rain will be adequate during that year. The reason behind selecting a calf is the auspicious belief that it represents 36 crores of gods (deva’s/dieties). The ‘Gadda fair’ continues for the month attracting lakhs of people.
*******************************Aarti Schedule
Every Monday
Kakad Arati
5:30 a.m.
Every Day
Trikal pooja
08:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
03:30 p.m. - 04:00 p.m.
09:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Shravan Every Day
Kakad Arati
5:30 a.m.
Trikal pooja
8:30 am - 10:00 am
3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
9:30 pm - 10:00 पम



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