Temple Series - Part 1 ( Markandeya Mahadeva temple)

Which is the most mysterious Shiva temple in India ?

Hmmm, good question !!!!!!! Here most of the people have posted the most sacred and powerful Kedarnath temple. However I will post about really a great temple and sacred temple and a most mysterious temple of Lord Shiva in Kaithi, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

The temple is Markandeya Mahadeva temple. Its the place where Life defeated Death.

Here is there story !!!!!!!

Once, there were a couple named, Mrikandu and his wife Marudvati. They were devotees of Lord Shiva and have no child. They decided to do a ‘Tapasya’ and one day Lord Shiva became happy on that couple and came out before them. Lord Shiva asked them, do you want to have common son having a long life or an extraordinary son having a short life. The couple had requested to Lord Shiva for the latter one. After sometime Marudvati had delivered a baby boy and named him “Markandey” (means son of the Mrikandu). He was extraordinary and God gifted child and became very intelligent being early in his childhood. He was always dedicated to the Lord Shiva and master of the Mahamritunjaya Mantra. When he had completed his 16, Yama (Lord of death) came on the earth to take him. At that time Markandey was worshiping Shiva Linga in the temple. When Yama asked him to go with him, he told Yama to wait until he finishes his daily pooja to Lord Shiva. Irrespective of his pleading for time, Yama threw his rope on the boy and just after sometime Lord Shiva appeared by bursting the Shiva Linga. Lord Shiva was very angry with Yama’s rude behavior. Yama became afraid from Lord Shiva and begged for mercy. Lord Shiva cooled himself and saved the life of Markandey and blessed him with everlasting life as well as stated that he will always be of sixteen year old. On that day, Lord Shiva had declared that His devotees will forever be secure from the rope of Yama. Flaming appearance of the Lord Shiva (which was appeared to save Markandey) is called the Kalasamhara Murti or Kaalantaka.

Maharishi Markandeya recited this shloka which was added in Rig Veda by Maharishi Veda Vyasa. This is the famous Mahamrityumjaya shloka…..

ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्

Om tryambakam yajàmahe sugandhim pushtivardhanam, urvàrukamiva bandhanàn mrityormokshiya maamritàt ||

As we know that Maharishi Markandeya became Immortal (Amar) here by the blessings of Lord Shiva. Maharishi Markandeya now also come here to worship Lord Shiva and there are numerous proofs of here.

After the sandhya aarti, Lord Shiva’s shringaar (decoration) is removed and temple is closed. But in the morning when the priests open the temple Lord Shiva’s shringaar (decoration) has already been done and even aarti is also done before the temple is opened.

No one is allowed in temple area and not even priests at that time untill the temple is re-opened. Because it is believed Maharishi Markandeya comes here and worships. People have told that many times, they have seen that there is no one in the temple or no one is seen in the temple, but a beautiful voice of a young boy would be heard at that time. The voice is believed to be of eternal Maharishi Markandeya. The same voice has been heard for many centuries and centuries.

This has been proved thousands of times by many many reporters and other investigators.

ॐ हौं जूं स: ॐ भूर्भुव: स्व: ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात् ॐ स्व: भुव: भू: ॐ स: जूं हौं ॐ !!!!!

ॐ नमः शिवाय !!!!!

Om Haum Jum Saha Om Bhur bhuvah swaha Om, Tryambakam yajaamahe sugandhim pushtivardhanam,

Urvaarukamiva bandhanaan-mrityormuksheeya maamritaat Om Swaha Bhuvah Bhu Om Saha Jum Haum Om ||

Om Namah Shivaya !!!!!!

Jay Uma Mahadeva !!!!!!!