Khallari Mata Temple, Mahasamund – Legends

Khallari Mata Temple, Mahasamund – Legends

Relationship with Bhima:

Demon Hidimba was ruling over Khallari from his capital Sirpur in Dwapar Yuga. Hidimba had built a garden in Khallari for leisure activities. Due to the presence of this garden, the place was called as Khalwatika i.e. the monster's garden. Hidimbani was supposed to visit here with her brother Hidimba. Both together used to worship Goddess Shakti of this place. During the Pandava's exile, the Pandavas passed through this region. Duryodhana along with Shakuni and other Gauravas was planning to kill Pandavas.

Gauravas built a Laksha Griha (the house made of wax) and treacherously made Pandavas to stay in this house. They set fire to it but fortunately, Pandavas ran from the Laksha Griha through a secret path and wandered south towards this place. Hidimba sent his sister Hidimbani to engage the Pandavas who entered his territory. When Hidimbani reached the Pandavas, she saw all the Pandavas were resting, but Bhima was awake and guarding the place. 

Hidimbani was attracted towards Bhima and proposed marriage. She wanted to test his valour.  Bhima showed his valor in the rock above the Khallari hill, Bhima put his foot on the rock with full power and his foot print was formed in the rock. Hidimbani was pleased with the power of Bhima. In the meanwhile, Hidimba reached the place searching his sister. He saw his sister with Pandavas. He also learnt that Hidimbani is in love with Bhima and wants to marry him.

Hidimba got angry and challenged Bhima for a fight. In the ensuing fight, Bhima killed Hidimba with the Hidimbani help. Thereafter, Hidimba married Bhima and gave birth to their son Ghatotkacha (who later proved to be a great warrior in the war against Kauravas). Even today, lot of places related to Bhima can be seen in Khallari mountain such as Bhim Paan (mark), Bhim Chulha, Bhima Khoh, Bhima ka Handa etc.

Khallari Mata:

As per legend, Khallari Mata used to visit the market in the form of Khallari Sodsi, as a mother, a banjara was fascinated on seeing the beautiful form of mother and started following her mother. Even after repeated warnings, he followed Mother. She got angry and cursed him to become a stone. Then, Khallari Mata also took the form of a stone and made the mountain her abode. She appeared in the dreams of a villager and informed that she was living among the stones in the mountain here. Also, instructed him to build a temple for her. The Villagers built the Temple as instructed. The people of the area consider Khallari Mata as their protector, before the natural calamity, the mother used to make the priest awake by giving voice to the hill.