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Gokarneshwar

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Gokarneshwar Temples
Appears in Skand Puraan, Himavat Khand also known as Nepaal Mahaatmya. This story is the basis of Pashupati's appearance in this world in Nepaal. It has deep astrological and astronomical meanings.

The famous battle of 'Taarakaamaya' had ended. The deities after having defeated the demons had once again regained the control of Heaven. Brahmaa being satisfied with the positive outcome of the war was engrossed in his meditation when Sanat Kumar arrived and asked - "O Lord! I am anxious to know about the origin of three famous Shiv Ling - Uttar-Gokarn, Dakshin-Gokarn and Shringeshwar. What made Shiv to take the form of a deer (Gokarn)? Please enlighten me on all these subjects."

Brahmaa replied - "The northern peak of Mandaraachal mountain is famously known as Moonj Van. This place is divinely beautiful and the stones and rocks over there glitter like diamonds. It has many rivers, lakes and springs. The atmosphere over there is so serene that even the deities are tempted to have their abodes at that place. This sacred place is graced by the presence of 'Sthaanu Maheshwar'.

Nandee - the Lord of all the Gan of Shiv, was a virtuous Braahman in Tretaa Yug. Once, he did an austere penance to realize Shiv. The penance lasted for 1,000 years. At last Shiv became pleased and appeared before him. Shiv blessed Nandee with an appearance similar to him (Shiv). Shiv said - "From today onwards you will be blessed with three eyes just like me. You will be worshipped by the deities and demons alike. You will be immortal and time and age will have no effect upon you. You are being granted with the Lordship of all my Gan. It will be your duty to stand guard at the entrance of my dwelling place. Shiv then informed Nandee that in a short time the deities would be visiting him (Nandee). Due to some reason Shiv had pledged not to give deities an opportunity to see his physical form.

After blessing Nandee, Shiv disappeared and went to live in Sleshmatak forest in the form of a deer. Nandee was unaware of this fact. Meanwhile, after being blessed by Shiv, Nandee had attained a divinely radiant form. So when the deities saw Nandee possessing three eyes instead of two, they immediately understood that this could not have happened without the blessing of Shiv. All the deities arrived at Munja Van peak and requested Nandee to reveal Shiv's whereabouts. Nandee expressed his helplessness and told them that he was not aware where Shiv went after blessing him. He requested the deities to find out Shiv on their own.

The deities searched for Shiv in all the three worlds but could not find him. I (Brahmaa) was also present in the search-team of the deities. I sat down to meditate. In the deep state of meditation, I came to know that Shiv was living in the form of a deer in Sleshmatak forest. I revealed this fact to the deities. All the deities then went into the Sleshmatak forest and recognized Shiv living in the form of a deer. The deer (Shiv) had one horn on its head. All the deities ran towards the deer with the desire of catching hold of it. Indra held the topmost part of the horn with a firm grip while I (Brahmaa) held its middle portion. Similarly, Vishnu held the lower part. Very soon, the horn got uprooted because of the force which was being applied on it. Shiv vanished out of our sight. We were left behind with three pieces of horn in our hands. We cursed ourselves for our bad luck.

Suddenly, we heard Shiv's voice instructing us to install those pieces of horns at that very place and worship them. The upper part of the horn become famous as Uttar Gokarn, while it's middle portion became famous as Dakshin Gokarn, and the part of the horn, which Vishnu installed became famous as 'Shringeshwar'.

All these three places have incomparable religious significance and are situated in Nepal. Sleshmatak forest is situated at the distance of 2 miles from the famous Pashupati Naath Temple." Sanat Kumaar thanked Brahmaa for enlightening him on these secret topics.

 

 

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Created and Maintained by Sushma Gupta
Created on March 15, 2003 and Updated on February 12, 2013
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