Chaurasi Temple, Bharmour – Legends

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 85^th 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 22^nd September 1963.