Few steps ahead, is a small havankund (small enclosure to perform rituals), where once a havan (ritual) was performed by the gods to burn all the snakes. It is believed that one snake hid inside the fruit to save his life we can see the snake like carving on the wall of the cave.
Moving forward we came across a
structure, resembling the lower part of the body below the head of a human. It
is believed that at this place the head of Lord Ganesh was cut by his father
Lord Shiva. Furious by this act of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati took a
terrifying form (avatar). Scared by this Lord Brahma put a flower on top of the
lower body of the Ganesha, nectar was flowing out from this flower to preserve
the body of Ganesh for the time Gods arranged to replace the head with head of
Elephant. That is how Lord Ganesh came in the form of Elephant God.
The
nectar dripping down from the petal of the flower would have preserve this head
for ever.
The
place where devotees worship Lord Shiva. This Shivalinga was placed here by
Shankaracharya. Suddenly we came across a stream with many pebbles in it. Those
pebbles were giving an impression of many people standing in an assembly. The
guide revered them as thirty-three Koti (type) devi-devta of
Hinduism. Practically with in these 33 types referred to as Gods, all the forms
of life existing on Earth are covered. That is why Hinduism lay so special
emphasis on preserving and respecting all forms of lives.
Our guide then drew our attention towards three
Stalagmite formations that looked like three heads. He told that these heads
represent the trinity of Hinduism – Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Those three
heads had three corresponding Stalactite over them. Out of these three, water
was dripping over the heads of Shiva and Vishnu, but had dried over the head of
Brahma. Guide explained that once Brahma and Vishnu started argument on which
one is greater. Lord Shiva intervened on request from Lord Vishnu and Mahesh
and took a form of giant Lingam (Avatar of Lord Shiva). Winner will be the one
who will locate the end of this lingam. Vishnu soon realised that there is no
end to this lingam and indeed Lord Shiva is the greatest. However, Brahma
decided to lie to Lord Shiva and asked flower Ketaki to testify in his support.
This lie turned fatal to Brahma, as infuriated Shiva cut his fifth head (which
lied) and also cursed Brahma for not to be worshipped by anyone. So Brahma lost
his devotees and the falling water had dried over Brahma’s head.
Perhaps this is the reason why Lord Brahma, despite being hailed as creator of Earth is not worshipped like Lord Shiva and Vishnu.Also flower Ketaki was cursed that it will not be used in any ritual henceforth. Though Ketaki flower (known as Screw Pine) is highly fragrant and is used for preparation of perfumes and fragrant Oils.
We saw a small tunnel like opening was there which
looked like open mouth of a dog and drops of water were drippling down from the
tongue. The guide told us the story about it is that if someone goes inside his
mouth and travel till the tail, will attain Moksh.
Moving ahead further inside the caves, we saw 4 doors type structures out of which 3 were closed and one was open for walking through. Guide informed that the 4 doors are door of sin and crime, the door of war, the door of righteousness, and the door of duty (पाप द्वार, युद्ध द्वार, धर्म द्वार और कर्तव्य द्वार). These doors associated with important events in the past were open in the beginning - door of sin and crime (पाप द्वार) closed after the death of Ravana, door of war (युद्ध द्वार) was closed after battle of Mahabharata and the door of righteousness (धर्म द्वार) was closed after Yudhishthir (eldest of the Pandavas) attained nirvana. Today only the door of duty is open, highlighting the fact that humans should only focus towards righteous duty in this age. To convince us about the closed doors, the guide flashed his torch in the directions of closed doors and we were able to see closed paths, which looked like closed with time with landslides.
Every
step here was unravelling our rich and resourceful mythology. In one corner we
noticed a stream of water and some white impression looking like the Jatas
(rolled hairs) of a yogi. This time the connection was about coming of river
Ganga on Earth. King Bhagirath who pleased Goddess Ganga (River Ganga is
considered as river from heaven) to come on earth and liberate his ancestors
who were cursed by the fury of sage Kapil.
However, Goddess Ganga said that Earth is incapable to hold the weight
of her descent on Earth. So, King
Bhagirath prayed and requested Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva agreed to hold the
descent of Ganga from heaven in his hairs and allowed to flow thereafter. That
is why river Ganga is also known as Bhagirathi.
My goodness, what this trip is turning out to be.
Guide
pointed towards the dark corner of the cave and said this is the place where
the Pandavas stayed while enroute to the heaven.
While coming out the guide talked about Kalpwriksh,
Kaamdhenu (the sacred cow) and Airawat (the mighty white elephant that carries
Indra, the lord of rains), treasures from churning of ocean. And showed stone
formation resembling the Kalpwriksh, udders of Kaamdhenu and legs of Airawat.
This was the end of our exploration of this amazing
place and the journey we covered on our bare feet or on our knees. A journey
which as per the mythology gives significance equivalent to Badrinath, Kedarnath
and Amarnath travel.
PS - Photography is strictly prohibited and
cameras, mobile phones have to be deposited outside the cave. The above
pictures were clicked from one of the outside shops, selling the pictures of
this legendary cave.