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| * Since Mahavishnu is reclining on Adishesha with Brahma seated on the lotus rising from the Lord's navel, this place is also known as Adhimapura. | | * Since Mahavishnu is reclining on Adishesha with Brahma seated on the lotus rising from the Lord's navel, this place is also known as Adhimapura. |
| * It is said that, pleased with the prayers and devotion of Brahma, Vishnu gave darshan to him at this temple. Therefore, the temple is called as Brahmapura. <ref name=":02" /> | | * It is said that, pleased with the prayers and devotion of Brahma, Vishnu gave darshan to him at this temple. Therefore, the temple is called as Brahmapura. <ref name=":02" /> |
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| + | === Scriptures incarnate === |
| + | The Indian tradition believes time to be cyclical; the world is created, sustained, gets destroyed and then is recreated. In this context, the concept of Pralaya or the great deluge is famous in the Indian tradition. During one such great deluge the Vedas, Puranas and the Itihasas, in an attempt to escape the aftermath approached Shiva for solace and guidance. He advised them to go to Uttamar Koil and take shelter at the Kadamba Vana. Accordingly, the Vedas manifested themselves as Kadamba tree, the Agamas took the form of flowers, the Itihasas appeared as fruits and the Puranas became birds. This is the Kadamba Kshetra now known as Uttamar Koil; that is Scriptures incarnate.<ref name=":02" /> |
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| + | === Brahma Teertha === |
| + | Brahma in the course of his wandering, reached the Kadamba kshetra. As soon as he entered the sacred temple he could feel the presence of the Lord in the Kadamba Vana. He immediately offered ablution to the Kadamba tree from his kamandala and requested Lord Vishnu to grant him a glimpse of his auspicious form. Narayana, merciful as ever, then revealed himself to Brahma. With anger in his eyes but love in his heart the Lord looked entrancingly beautiful. As Brahma was blessed with the sight he had longed for at this place, the tank came to be known as Brahma teertha. <ref name=":02" /> |
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| + | === Brahma Kapala Moksha === |
| + | According to Brahmanda purana, goddess Parvati once performed padha pooja to Brahma mistaking him for her husband Shiva as both of them had five heads. Angered by this, Shiva plucked one of Brahma's head. This was nothing but a Brahma hatya. As a result, the fifth face of the creator stuck to Shiva's finger and he lost his lustre. Despite his best efforts, the Brahmakapala could not be separated. As an atonement Shiva then visited a number of Narayana sthalas and lived by begging for alms with the Brahmakapala. However, the kapala was always half empty. He realised that only when the kapala gets filled to the brim that he would be rid of the curse. He eventually reached Kadambavana. Lord Vishnu here, advised Lakshmi to give alms to Shiva. And when Lakshmi gave bhiksha to Shiva, the Brahmakapala got filled to the brim and Shiva attained Kapala moksha. It is for this reason that the Goddess earned the name Poornadevi and Poornavalli (an epitome of fulfillment). Symbolic of this incident, Lord Shiva is manifested in this temple as Bhikshantanar, a beggar with a bowl.<ref name=":02" /> |
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| + | === Kshetra Sthapana === |
| + | It is said that, Janaka Maharishi reached Kadamba kshetra while on a pilgrimage. On the advice of many rishis, he decided to perform a yajna. However, disappointingly, the outcome of the yajna was not satisfactory. He felt that some unknown demonic force was creating an obstructing atmosphere. He prayed to the Lord for help and a celestial voice informed him that the yajna was being polluted by a wandering dog. He was then advised to perform the yajna all over again; this time offering his prayers to the Kadamba vrksha. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Vishnu appeared before Janaka Maharshi with Brahma emerging from his Nabhi (navel) and Shiva as Bhikshanatha. And it is said that, it is in commemoration of this event that Janaka Maharaja built this temple for the Trimurtis.<ref name=":02" /> |
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| + | === Satkirtivartanan's contribution === |
| + | Raja Satkirthivarthanan once came to Kadamba teertha and offered prayers to Lord Purushothama. He was then blessed with progeny in response to his prayers. And in in gratitude towards this blessing, Raja built the Udyoga vimana, Kalasha, Sabha mandapa and the praharas.<ref name=":02" /> |
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| == References == | | == References == |