Markandeya Tank, Puri – Legends

Markandeya Tank, Puri – Legends

Purusottama Kshetra:

After the Mahapralaya, Markandeya alone survived because he was blessed to be immortal by Lord Shiva. However, Markandeya was floating in the deluge looking for shelter. Suddenly he saw an island with a banyan tree. To his great surprise, Markandeya observed that a sapphire blue baby lying on a leaf playfully sucking his toe. When Markandeya approached the child to learn his identity, the baby inhaled and forcefully drew the sage into his body. Within that baby's belly, he saw the fourteen planetary systems and all the ruling demigods. Markandeya traveled toward the end of creation but failed to reach it.

As Markandeya marveled at the unprecedented display, the baby exhaled and threw the sage out. Now Markandeya realized that the infant was none other than Lord Krishna. Awestruck Markandeya enquired why this particular tract of land was unaffected by the pralaya. Lord Krishna responded that this is my abode called Purusottama Kshetra (Jagannatha Puri). On hearing this astonishing fact, Markandeya stayed here in Puri. The sage Markandeya is also said to have meditated at this place after the Lord saved him from drowning in the sea. The Sage performed a yagna here, and also built a temple.

Four Ashrams:

There are four prominent Ashrams or hermitages in Puri connected with Puri Jagannath Temple rituals and Markandeya Ashram is one among them. The other three Ashrams are Bhrigu Ashram, Angira Ashram and Kandu Ashram. Markandeya Ashram is situated on the banks of Markandeya Theertham.

Pancha Pandava Temples:

Jameswar Temple is one of the Pancha Pandava Temple of Puri. As per the legend, Pancha Pandavas (Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva) during their exile visited Puri and stayed here for one day. They worshipped Lord Vishnu for the safety of their journey. As a symbol of their visit, five Shiva temples were built at Puri in memory of their stay at this holy place. These famous five Shiva temples are Lokanatha, Jameswara, Kapalamochana, Markandeswarar and Nilakanthesvara. Together, these temples are called as Pancha Pandava Temples. Yamesvara Temple is associated with Arjuna, one of the brother among the Pancha Pandavas. Markandeswarar Temple is situated on the banks of Markandeya Theertham.

Ashta Shambhus:

As per Skanda Purana Purusottama Mahatmya, Puri is called as Shankha Kshetra as it is conch shaped. Puri Jagannath Temple stands at the centre. lt is surrounded and protected by eight shrines called Ashta Shambhus. Markandeswar is one among them. The others are Kapalamochana, Kshetrapal, Yameshwar, lshaneswar, Bilweswar and Neelakantha. Markandeswarar Temple is situated on the banks of Markandeya Theertham.

Panchatirthas:

As per Brahma purana, the sage Markandeya founded this Shaiva shrines in Vishnu Kshetra in order to close the rivalry between Shaivas and Vaishnavas. Sri Jagannath directed Sudarsana Chakra to dig a pond for Markandeya. That pond was named after Markandeya and became the Adya Tirtha among the Panchatirthas viz. Markandeya tank, Swetaganga, Rohini Kunda, Mahodadhi and Indradyumna tank.

Location in Sixth fold of Shankha Kshetra:

The Markandeya tirtha is located in the sixth fold of Shankha Kshetra. Markanda Tank, the ancient hermitage and Markandeswar Temple reside here together at Puri Dham.

Kaliya Mardana Lila:

Sri Madana Mohan, Lord Jagannatha's utsava Murti, enacts his Kaliya Mardana Lila in this holy Markandeya Tank.