Thursday, August 12, 2010

Ravana's Temples in UP, MP, Orissa, Gujrat... All over India

In Kanpur, the demon Ravana is God

Friday, October 10, 2008 10:52:11 PM by ANI ( 2 comments )

By Mahender Mishra
Kanpur, Oct.11 (ANI): While numerous effigies of demon King Ravana were burnt on the occasion of Dussehra on Thursday across the country, several people in Kanpur visited the Ravana Temple to pay obeisance to him.
This Ravana Temple opens only once in a year on Dussehra festival when people, who view him as a highly learned individual who had knowledge of all Hindu scriptures, visit this temple to pay their homage.
This temples foundation stone was laid in 1868 and a few years later, an idol of Ravana was consecrated here.
Hariom Tiwari, the temple priest explained that Ravana was a brave, intelligent and a good King of Dravidian Gaud tribe.
“This is our fifth generation which is performing puja here and our ancestors were here during the installation of this temple. During the Vedic era, Ravana was considered to be a very intelligent person hence his statue has been installed here inspite of his stated shortcomings. He used to favour all demons and did not do anything for the Brahmins. Hence to break his arrogance, Vishnu took birth as Rama. Only on Dashami, a puja is offered and people of all communities come here to offer prayers,” said Hariom Tiwari, priest of Ravana temple, Kanpur.
Well-read analysts of Hindu epics remember Ravana as a learned and noble King and an exponent of Sam Veda. It is also said that music was his forte.
They also say that it was pre-ordained that he kidnapped Sita. But he never exploited her.
Further, it is said that Ravana possessed several virtues, the foremost being his knowledge of the sacred books, medicines and sorcery.
An ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, Ravana is credited to have composed the vibrant Shiva Tandava Stotra.
“This is the only temple of its kind in north India. Ravana was considered to be the body guard of this Kailash Nath temple and Maa Shakti temple. Neel Kanth (blue necked bird) often comes to this temple,” said K.K Tiwari, manager of the Ravana Temple, Kanpur.
In a recent development, certain persons claiming themselves to be descendents of the in-laws of Ravana are building a temple dedicated to the demon king in Jodhpur in Rajasthan. (ANI)

More at : In Kanpur, the demon Ravana is God http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/in-kanpur-the-demon-ravana-is-god_100105921.html#ixzz0vvjP95sM

Ravanraj? Ravan's temple to be built in Rajasthan

December 21, 2006

NEW DELHI: The Ravana raj seems to be making a come back. In a recent development, people claiming themselves to be descendents of Ravana are building a temple dedicated to the demon king in Jodhpur. And interestingly, it is coming up in a Hindu heartland where Lord Ram is devoutly revered by all.

This will be the first such temple in north India. The town is considered to be Mandodari, Ravana's wife's native place. It is believed that Mandodari hailed from Mandore, which was the ancient capital of Jodhpur. An umbrella named 'Chavri' still stands there. The Ravana temple is being built in Mahadev Amarnath and Navgrah temple premises in city's Chandpole area, where idols of Ravana's main deities, Shiva and Devi Kharanna stand.

The temple premise will house a Ravana temple having idols of Ravana and his family members. Kamlesh Dev, the temple priest, said the idol will be in the form of offering prayers and water to Lord Shiva so that people get a feel of the demon king's religious and softer side and they would be placed after observing planetary positions in the next six months.

Osian sculptor Chunnilal is entrusted with the duty of building the idol from special stone from Jodhpur. The priest said after Ravana's capital Lanka was devastated in the war with Lord Rama, many of his descendents traveled to Mandore, considered a haven owing to the place being the native town of queen Mandodari.

He said about 200 families, believed to be descendents of Ravana and from Mudgal Gotra, still live in Jodhpur. About 110 families stay in Jodhpur town and 70 other families live in nearby Phalodi. Kamlesh said Ravana is highly respected and revered in the region and the temple is likely to be completed in six months. Some of the descendents of the demon king also migrated to Gujarat's Jamanagar, Bhuj and Kutch areas, he claimed.

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RAVAN’S TEMPLE. In DELHI

Oct 26 2007 | Views 2375 | Comments (8) | Report Abuse
Tags: ravan- a better administrator-to usher in tam rajya

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RAVAN’S TEMPLE .

According to a press report in Deccan Herald of 25 ^th Oct the Jodhpur based Akshay Jyotish Anusandhan Kendra almost built a temple for Ravan and got it ready in all respects. But the BJP ruled State government in the face of strong agitation against led by Bajrang Dal and VHP had denied the necessary permission. Ravan ready to be installed was left in the Limbo. The newspaper published a photo of the icon and Ravan looked forlorn and lost.

100 families of Srimali sub caste of Brahmins claim their lineage to Ravan. These people claim to have migrated to Mandore which was the ancient capital of Rajasthan. They also claim that Mandore was the place of sasural of Ravan and were very keen to install Ravan as a God there.

This brings Ravan the demon king into sharp focus of the public and the media for the first time. It is perhaps worth our while to carry out an objective assessment of Ravan as a king and whether he deserves to be installed in a temple and worshipped.

To begin with, Ravan was known to be an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva who was so pleased with the constant and boundless devotion of his devotee that He granted the latter almost a boon a day. He was reputed to be a very good administrator and the most benevolent dictator. Lanka under his rule was supposed to be like Utopia. His political sagacity and administrative skills were appreciated by Lord Rama himself who along with his brother Laxman went out of His way to meet the dying king to learn the art of statecraft and the finer points of administrative skills. The brothers sought his guidance to emulate his policies in running their own kingdom Ayodhya efficiently and usher in Ram Rajya.

Ravan was well versed in warfare and knew he tricks to counter all Rama’s Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles with different warheads specially blessed by several Gods. Perhaps our generals and the integrated command can learn from him. He wouldn’t possibly have met his death if his own brother had not betrayed him. Betraying an elder brother and revealing the secret of his life to the enemy is not something that deserves our approbation. In fact Vibishan had set a wrong precedent and the Indian History is replete with cases of traitors betraying the king or emperor for a few gold sovereigns and revealing the state secrets and plans. This goes on even today.

Ravan couldn’t be faulted for any reason except his roving eye. He kept a watchful eye for all pretty damsels in all three worlds and coveted them all. Even in this lecherous practice he displayed some gentlemanly qualities in that he impressed the pretty damsels with his talents in music, dance and fine arts and finer things of life. He used gentle persuasion that life with a handsome man like him would be the best option for the lady and succeeded most of the time. He had never forced himself on any lady nor molested anyone against her wishes.

Even in case of Sita, he didn’t even touch her although she was in his captivity for many years. When he picked her up he picked up the small circular plot of 3square metres on which Sita was standing outside the Laxman Rekha and carried her by air to Lanka. He visited her everyday and tried to impress upon her his multifaceted talents, personality and wealth and obtain her consent. Unlike the modern villains he never even touched her leave alone assaulting her although he had many opportunities.

Comparing him with the modern politicians and administrators it can easily be said if the latter had even a quarter of the political and administrative skills of Ravana our country would have been a Rama Rajya. Our politicians and the other bigwigs seemed to have learnt only the wrong things from him. Here even the lowly placed police constables do not think twice before assaulting the women and even minor girls.

Speaking of salacious thoughts and lecherous acts no one would have minded if our politicians frolicked with consenting females as long as they delivered good governance to the country. Sadly good governance seemed to have been put on the back burner.

The Rajasthan Government is playing spoil sport in denying permission for Ravan’s temple. The Bajrang Dal and VHP indulge in agitation for several causes, some genuine and some frivolous. They should not have been allowed to have their say. If Ravan was safely ensconced in his temple he would have shown to our honourable PM the correct course of action in the nuke deal. After all he had plenty of experience in deflecting several lethal weapons unleashed by Rama against him. Handling the recalcitrant left would have been child’s play for him.

The only person who came anywhere near Ravan in Modern History and won the admiration of his people is Peron of Argentina and his wife Eva.

Since we cannot have dictators in our country and we need good counsel, the congress party should take immediate steps to construct a temple for Ravan close to the North block (for easy access) and take counsel from him to make our country a Ram Rajya. The Indian Penal Code and CR.P.C should also be amended to provide enough leeway to the top politicians to indulge in salacious thoughts and lecherous acts without let or hindrance as long as they give good governance.

Desperate times need desperate acts and if we are to tackle the menace of the terrorists armed with IEDs we should seek the advice of Ravan continuously. He alone can be our saviour. We should remember that he conquered most of the three worlds and established utopia in Lanka. The government of Sri Lanka riddled with so many problems would definitely pitch in and give constructive ideas in building the temple. In the larger national interest the BJP should keep the construction of Ram temple out of its agenda and donate all the pillars and structures kept ready for the Ram temple for a noble cause of constructing the Ravan temple. That would be political sagacity and statesmanship at its best. The DMK also would support as their enemy’s enemy is their best friend.

Ravana burnt elsewhere, worshipped in parts of Madhya Pradesh

Sunday, September 27, 2009 4:16:35 AM by IANS ( Leave a comment )

By Sanjay Sharma
Bhopal, Sep 27 (IANS) While most Hindus end their Dussehra celebrations by burning the effigy of Ravana to symbolise the victory of good over evil, the 10-headed demon king of Hindu mythology is worshipped in two Madhya Pradesh districts.

When temples across the nation will resonate with prayers to lord Ram Monday, a small temple to Ravana in Vidisha district’s Ravangram village will echo with the prayer, “Ravana Baba Namah”.

The temple has an ancient idol of Ravana in a reclining position believed to have been constructed between the ninth and 14th century. The villagers believe it would be a bad omen to have the 10-foot idol stand erect and say that whenever this was done, some unexpected incident had occurred in the district.

In the village, the demon king has been worshipped as a symbol of prosperity for over 600 years by Kanyakubja Brahmins, a Brahmin sub-sect to which Ravana was believed to have belonged.

He is regarded as a scholar and people worshipping him believe burning the learned king, who knew all the Vedas (ancient Hindu scriptures) and was a devotee of lord Shiva, is not justified.

This is not restricted to Ravangram village. Ravana is also worshiped in Ravana Rundi in Mandsaur district and Shajapur district’s Bhadkhedi.

In Mandsaur town, members belonging to the Namdeo Vaishnav Samaj, a Hindu sect, who worship the demon king on Dussehra, believe Ravana’s wife Mandodari belonged to the town and they regard him as a son-in-law.

A 35-foot high 10-headed Ravana statue was installed in 2005 at Ravana Rundi in the Khanpur area of Mandsaur.

A 25-foot high lime and brick ancient idol of Ravana existed there till 1982. It developed cracks due to lightning and was ultimately destroyed.

The idol is worshipped every year and women in the area remain behind the veil on Dussehra since they regard Ravana as their son-in-law, while men make offerings at his statue if their wishes came true.

Ravana and his son Meghnad are similarly worshipped at Bhadkhedi village in Shajapur district of western Madhya Pradesh.

Indore-based Rajesh Batham, who has been worshipping Ravana since his ancestors did so, believes that burning him is not right. He informed that the demon king’s idol is decorated in Shajapur every year on Dussehra and not burnt.

He said this was also the case in Rajasthan’s Hadauti village, while Gond tribals of Chhattisgarh also have a tradition of worshipping ‘Lankapati (King of Lanka)’.

According to mythology, Ravana was the grandson of the creator of the universe, Brahma, son of the sage Vishrava and younger brother of Kubera, the deity of wealth. He is also believed to have been a scholar, connoisseur of arts and a devout follower of Shiva.

Ravana is credited by many for writing a commentary on the Vedas and verses on medicine.

More at : Ravana burnt elsewhere, worshipped in parts of Madhya Pradesh http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/health/ravana-burnt-elsewhere-worshipped-in-parts-of-madhya-pradesh-2_100253017.html#ixzz0vvkL7TRA

Ravana finds safe haven in Himachal town

Sunday, September 27, 2009 3:27:35 AM by IANS ( Leave a comment )

By Vishal Gulati
Shimla, Sep 27 (IANS) There is one place where the demon king Ravana is safe from Lord Ram’s arrow of fire on Dussehra which will be celebrated Monday across the country - in a tiny, ancient pilgrimage town in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district.

The residents of Baijnath town, some 60 km from the district headquarters town of Kangra, believe that by not participating in Dussehra, they are paying respect to the devotion of Ravana towards Lord Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction.

During the festival across the country, the effigy of mythological demon king Ravana is consigned to flames as a symbol of victory of good over evil.

Explaining the rationale for not celebrating Dussehra in Baijnath, Prem Parshad Pandit, member secretary of the high-powered committee of Himachal temples, told IANS that the residents of Baijnath believe that participating in the celebrations means inviting the wrath of Lord Shiva.

“People believe that Baijnath is the place where Ravana meditated for years to appease Lord Shiva. As a result, Lord Shiva does not want his devotees to burn the effigy of his greatest disciple,” Pandit said.

“There is also a myth that anybody from the town who participates in the effigy-burning ceremony will die an unnatural death. The fear of death is so strong that the residents prefer to stay away from any kind of celebrations,” he said.

Octogenarian Bhiwani Singh, who is settled in Baijnath, said that he had never celebrated Dussehra throughout his life.

“You talk about celebrating Dussehra, I have never seen or even heard about burning effigies in this area throughout my life. It is a place were Lord Shiva blessed Ravana,” he said.

According to the Hindu epic Ramayana, Ravana abducted Lord Rama’s wife Sita. Lord Rama fought a war with Ravana to release Sita from his captivity. He defeated Ravana on Dussehra and beheaded him.

Baijnath (4,311 feet) is a small town located amidst the scenic Dhauladhar mountain range of the Himalayas. It’s famous for Lord Shiva temple that was built in the 13th century.

More at : Ravana finds safe haven in Himachal town http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/ravana-finds-safe-haven-in-himachal-town_100253001.html#ixzz0vvlAbX8e

Shibu Soren gets invitation from Ravana followers

Saturday, September 20, 2008 2:01:02 AM by IANS ( Leave a comment )

Ranchi, Sep 20 (IANS) Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren’s refusal to burn the effigy of Ravana has prompted followers of the demon king to invite him for offering prayers on Vijaya Dashami.An Indore-based group has invited Soren to participate in worshiping Ravana during Durga Puja. Lankesh Mitra Mandal has sent the invitation to the chief minister’s house, sources said.

Soren is however learnt to have refused to accept the invitation.

The Ravana followers got solace when Soren refused to burn the effigy of Ravana. Also, Soren termed Ravana as kulguru and a great scholar whose effigy should not be burnt.

Since the creation of Jharkhand in November 2000, the chief minister has been lighting the fire to spark off the Vijay Dashmi celebrations. A delegation of local Dussehra organisers met Soren last week and requested him to accept the invitation to burn effigy of Ravana at Morabadi ground on Vijaya Dashami.

“There is no dispute that Ravana was a great scholar. And a great scholar’s effigy should not be burnt” said Ram Dayal Munda, former Vice Chancellor of Ranchi University.

Tribal body in Madhya Pradesh issues directive to worship Ravana

Monday, October 06, 2008 4:37:15 AM by IANS ( Leave a comment )

Bhopal, Oct 6 (IANS) Perhaps taking a cue from Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibhu Soren, a tribal body has issued directives in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district that the effigy of demon king Ravana should not be burned on Dussehra, but instead he should be worshiped. “Though Dussehra is marked by the burning of effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad symbolising the victory of good over evil across the country, in some villages in the tribal-dominated areas of Chhindwara district people worship the demon king Ravana and his son Meghnad,” said Shivlal Uike, Gondwana Mahasabha president of Damua block.

“The tradition of worshipping Ravana and Meghnad - which has been primarily popular among the Gond tribes - has been religiously followed for generations because the Gonds believe that Ravana who was their king was a learned person well-versed with the vedas and an ardent Shiva devotee,” he said.

“We have thus issued a directive in the entire block to alert the tribals against burning the effigy of Ravana on Dussehra since burning their effigies would tantamount to insulting the lord of the tribals,” Uike said.

“This practice will not be tolerated any more. The local administration should ensure that the three effigies (Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad) are accorded due respect,” he said.

“There is nothing unusual in asking the tribals not to burn the effigy of Ravana because he (Ravana) is worshipped by Gond tribals who believe that Ravana belonged to their sect,” said Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP) MLA Manmohan Shah Batti.

“This is evident from the fact that the biggest preacher (Dharmacharya) of tribals includes the name of Ravana while writing his name. He writes Moti Ravana Kangali and not Moti Kangali alone. Besides, fairs named after Ravana’s son ‘Meghnad’ are organized in several villages and he (Meghnad) is worshipped on such occasions”, Batti added.

GGP would therefore worship ‘Ravana’ this Dussehara and no member of the party would participate in the effigy burning programme.

Last week, Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren’s refused an invitation to burn an effigy of the demon king saying Ravana was his “kulguru” and a great scholar.

Valmiki Samaj worships Ravana?

HT Correspondent
Indore, October 01, 2006

First Published: 16:05 IST(2/10/2006)
Last Updated: 16:05 IST(2/10/2006)

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UNLIKE many Hindus who consider Ravan as the symbol of evil, members of the Valmiki Samaj at Pardeshipura in Indore not only worship Ravan as a God but also avoid looking at the ‘Ravan-Dahan’ on Dussehra. Mahesh Gohar of the Valmiki Samaj told Hindustan Times that it is a ritual their