Chaurasi Temple, Bharmour –
Legends
Brahmaputra:
As per legend, Brahmpura was used to be the garden of
goddess Brahmani. She resided here with her son. Her son was very fond of his
pet chakor (birds). One day, the chakor was killed by a peasant and her son was
shocked to death by this tragic loss. The goddess, Brahmani Devi also
sacrificed her life by burying herself alive. The spirits of Brahmani Devi, her
son and the chakor started haunting the people in the region. Locals started
worshipping the Brahmani Devi and built her a temple. The place came to be
called as Brahmaputra named after the Brahmani Devi.
Manimahesh Yatra:
Once, 84 Siddhas along with Lord Shiva were on their
way to Manimahesh were passing through Brahmpura (Bharmour), the garden of the
Goddess Brahmani Devi. They decided to stay for the night in Bharmour. When
Brahmani Devi, the presiding deity of the place, noticed the smoke emanating
from the fires lit by the Siddhas, she felt angry at this trespass. As she
believed that now people would pray to Lord Shiva and her importance would
become lower, she came down to the place and ordered Lord Shiva and the Siddhas
to immediately vacate the place.
Lord Shiva politely requested Brahmani Devi to allow
them to stay at this place for the night. Further, Lord Shiva said that whoever
comes to Manimahesh had to take a dip in the pool of Bharmani Devi first then
only the yatra will be completed. Pleased with the request of Lord Shiva, she
allowed them to stay. The 84 Siddhas transformed themselves into 84 Lingas as
they fell in love with the calmness of Bharmour. As requested by Lord Shiva, Bharmani Devi gave
the place to him and the Siddhas and moved to a place at about 6 Kms from
Bharmour.
Chaurasi:
As per legend, 84 Yogis from Kurukshetra visited Brahmpura
and performed meditation here during the reign of Sahil Varman. Sahil Varman
took care of the Yogis. The Yogis were pleased with the hospitality of the
King. As the King had no heir, the Yogis promised him ten sons. The Yogis were
requested by the King to stay back in Brahmpura till the prediction was
fulfilled. In due course of time, the king was blessed with ten sons and a
daughter named Champavati. It is believed that this temple complex was built to
honour these 84 Yogis and named Chaurasi after them. There are 84 big and small
temples in this temple complex.
Ardhgaya Theertham:
Once Lord Shiva along his consort Parvati and their
son Ganesha were camping in Bharmour. Lord Shiva told Parvati about the importance
of certain holy tirthas in his leisurely moments. Parvati was moved and she
expressed her desire to take a dip in Falgu river of Gaya. Lord Shiva told Parvati
that he could not be able to fulfill her wish as the river is situated faraway.
Parvati was upset and sad. Seeing the plight of her mother, Lord Ganesha shot
an arrow in the earth and seven springs representing seven major rivers of
India including the Falgu of Gaya and Ganga were formed by the shot of the
arrow. Goddess Parvati realized her wish by taking bath in this spring. Thus, it
is believed that a dip in the Ardhgaya pool will wash all the sins of the
devotees.
Rameshwar Linga:
As per legend, Lord Rama had installed Shiva Linga
here before leaving for Lanka. Hence, the Linga came to be called as Rameshwar
Linga. The Rajas of Chamba state trace their ancestry to Lord Rama. The
genealogy (Vanshavali) of the Rajas of Chamba lists Lord Rama as their ancestor
ruled Ayodhya Kingdom and Meru Varman as the first ruler settled in the village
of Kalapa and later founded Brahmapura in Budhal valley.
Surya Linga:
As per legend, the Surya Linga was installed by Raja
Meru Varman belonged to the ruling family of Ayodhya. He along with his son, Jaystambh
invaded the upper mountainous region of Himalayas through the Ravi valley.
Surya Linga:
When Raja Meru Varman along with his son, Jaystambh reached Khadamukh, people here requested him
to settle in Brahmapura. Acceding to their request, he installed this Linga as
a symbol of founding the kingdom of Suryavansha with the blessings of Lord
Shiva. Thus, the Linga came to called as Surya Linga. It is an ancient custom
that the Rajas of Chamba to pay obeisance at the temple of Surya Linga first and
then perform their duties.
Naga Baba:
As per legend, a siddha named Naga Baba performed
penance clad only in a lion cloth on snow bounded ridges of Dhancho. He finally
settled in Chaurasi Bharmour. He is held in great respect by the people of
Chamba. He made the surrounding of Chaurasi as Tapobhumi. He brought about many
social and cultural reforms and is known for upholding the sanctity of Chaurasi
(84) temples and old temples of Bharmour. He is revered as 85th
siddha who lived at Chaurasi in the modern times. He was finally buried at the
site of shrine in Chaurasi. It is said that the sky became cloudy and heavy winds
blew as the exalted soul departed on his heavenly journey to Shiva Loka on 22nd
September 1963.
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