Sage Agastya

How Sage Agastya was Born

Once Indra, the king of gods, asked Agni, the fire god, and Vayu, the wind god, to go and kill all the demons. Agni and Vayu were very powerful and killed most of the demons but the rest hid in the ocean. So they returned and told Indra that they could not kill the rest of the demons.

Indra was very angry. He ordered Agni and Vayu "Even if you have to churn the ocean, you must get those demons out and kill them."

Agni and vayu said that they didn't want to churn the ocean as there were other creatures living in it and they would also have to suffer because of the demons.

Indra was not convinced and said, "The ocean has given shelter to the wicked and should suffer for that. But you two are trying to evade your duty by disobeying me. I curse you to be born as humans on earth." Thereafter, Agni was born as Sage Agastya while Vayu took birth as Sage Vashishtha.

Guru Kinaramji

 Guru Kinaramji BABA

Jai Aghoreshwar

Baba Kinaram had direct vision of Bhagwan Dattatreya. It was he who meet Baba Kinaram at Varanasi in the guise of  Baba Kaluram. The place-Kautila preserved in Krim-Kunda Sthal bears the testimony to their divine meeting. The statue of Dutt Mahaprabhu set up in the Sthal remind us of the presence of "Bhagwan Dattatreya" in the spritual environment of Sthal. The Krim-Kund(Sthal) is believed to be the meeting ground of two thoughts-streams-Kailashi & Girnari tradition and stands for oneness of all sects viz., Shavishm, Vaishnavism and Shakta.

Aghoracharya Baba Keenaram Ji Maharaj was born on Aghor Chaturdashi(Bhadrapad) in 1658 A.D in Ramgarh village, then in district Varanasi. The entire region became overjyoed when the childless couple Shree Akbar Singh and Mansa Devi finally got their child. After the birth, the child neither cries nor suckled at his mother's breast for three days. After three days when three monks (who were believed to be manisfestations of Lord Sadashiva --Brahma, Vishnu and  Mahesh) came there, took the child in their arms and wishpered something into his ears. Amazingly the child began to cry for the first time since birth. It is from that day onwards theLolark Shashti festival is celebrated  as Sanskar(Shashti, usually celebrated in Hindu religion after five days of birth) of Maharaj Shree (Baba Kinaram Ji) . Goddess Hinglaaj blessed Baba Keenaram in Girnar and followed him to Krim-Kund situated in Shivala Varanasi. Baba Kinaram is the founding father of the ancient Aghor seat of Varanasi. Hinglaaj Maa is present in the Yantra,  which is the representation of deity in mystical geometric pattern. Baba Kaluramji known to be "Guru"(spritual teacher) awakened the consciousness of "Aghor" in Baba Kinaram. Later on baba Kinaram eastablished himself in the city of Varanasi for the service of the people and enlightened them with the ancient wisdom. He has mentioned principles of Aghor in his books Viveksar, Ramgita, Ramrasal and Unmuniram. The book called Viveksar written by Baba Kinaram is said to be the most authentic treatise on the principles of Aghor. During his tour Kinaramji first stopped at the dwelling of  "Grihast Saint", Baba Shiva Das for few days. Baba Shiva Das observed Baba Kinarm activities very minutely and was impressed by the extraordinary qualities, suspecting that he is an Avtar or an reincarnation. One day while on way to bath in river Ganga, Baba Shiva Das handed over his entire belongings to the boy Kinaram and hid himself in nearby bushes. He observed that the river Ganga become very restless as the boy approached closer. The level of water started to rise, and suddenly setteled down only after touching the feets of Baba Kinaram. Baba Kinaram was known as the biggest saint of the Era of Aghor tradition also known asLord Shiva tradition. He was the first Founder/Peethadheswar of Baba Kinaram Sthal and before he took Samadhi he conveyed to his disciples that he will Re-incarnate as 11th Peethadheswar of Krim- Kund (Kinarm Sthal).

Girnar And Girnari bapu

Girnar And Girnari bapu

 

Mt.Girnar (Junagadh district) is a sacred hill both to the Hindus and Jains. The Jains call it Mt. Neminath. According to traditional history, Siddhas have used it as a retreat to undertake tapasya since ancient times. The 3660 feet hill is connected with Lord Krishna. When Kalayavan, apparently a warrior of foreign origin, was chasing him, the Lord got the better of the powerful adversary in a curious way. Raja Muchkund was sleeping in one of the caves of Raivatachal mountain (the ancient name for Girnar) He was taking rest after fighting on behalf of the gods. After his exertions Muchkund had only one desire rest and repose. He got a boon that whoever disturbed his sleep would be reduced to ashes when he opened his eyes. This boon Krishna knew. What better way to get rid of Kalyavan. So he pretended as if he was running away from Kalyavan and led him to the cave where the king was sleeping.               How To Reach - Girnar Keshod is the nearest Airport, 35kms. from Junagadh. Girnar is connected to Mumbai by the Girnar Express. It is connected to most places in Gujarat by private and state buses.

Krishna covered Muchkund with his upper cloth. Kalyavan after the long chase mistook the sleeping figure for Krishna and woke him up and was reduced to ashes.Girnar was known by different names at different periods-Ujjayant, Manipur, Chandraketupur, Raivat Nagar, Puratanpur, Girivar and Girnar. Of the several peaks five are important Amba Mata, Gorakhnath, Augadh, Guru Datatreya and Kalika. The pilgrims have to climb 9999 steps to reach the top. There are five important Jain temples, besides several Hindu shrines. The most prominent Jain shrine is the rectangular Neminath temple which was completed between 1128 CE and 1159 CE. Neminath (the 22th Tirthankar) is carved in black marble with jewelled eyes. The courtyard is filled with sculptures. Further up is the Amba temple. Newlyweds who seek Mataji's blessings for a happy married life frequent it. The Mallinath temple dedicated to the 19th Tirthankar was built in 1231 CE by Vastupal and Tejpal. Neminath is shown in blue color. The Rishabhadev temple in golden colour has 24 Tirthankars. The Parshwanath temple was built in the 15th century. It is known as Meravasi. The Dattatreya hill is half way down the temple cluster. It is best to start the climb in the morning. Bhavnath Shiv temple is the first shrine on the upward path. Bhartruhari cave, Sorath Mahal, Bhim Kund and Suryakund are the other important places. Gomukkhi Kund has pellucid water fed by a mountain stream. Hanuman Dharaand Kamandal are the other attraction.

Temple in the skyGirnar Hill, the Hill of 10,000 Steps, in Gujarat.
Girnar Hill is a famous pilgrimage site. It is about 1110 meters high and topped by a number of temples, with a Jain temple situated a little bit lower, at about 7000 steps.
Girnar, the mountain and its range are considered sacred and it's an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Jains.