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RAVALNATH DEV, Hiregutti, Kumta

MYTHOLOGY (PURANA-ITIHASA) Saraswat Brahmins dwelling on the banks of river saraswati were majorly “SHAIVAITS”. All communitieis of people in an area including brahmins became a mini-society worshiping “SHIVA-SHAKTI” Their regular rituals and pooja system includes the upasana of river saraswati. One of the gods they were worshiping was “SHIVA” and his other forms in the linga form. “VISHNU” araadhana was there beside follwing the “SHAIVA SAMPRADAYA” On migration to east towards kashmir, utter pradesh, bengal, bihar, assam etc their daily rituals and practices continued. Vishnu, Shiva, Durga, Saraswati, Laxmi, Ganapathy araadhana were part of their total commitment to religion obligations. Like every person is dominated by three characters (thri-gunas) like

1. Satvik
2. Rajasic and
3. Tamasik

Gods/godesses also had the influence of these factors from time to time. While a devotee comes before a god, the satvik form the god takes. When an enemy comes, god turns into rajasic or tamasik form. that is how laxmi, saraswati turned into their tamasik for to kill the demons like mahishasur, rakta beeja, chanda-munda etc.

Devaki Krishna Mahalaxmi Ravalnath -

This is the scene in the jail of kamsa where devaki, krishna, mahalaxmi (she was born to yeshodha & nanda). “Devaki Paramanandam” is the introductory sloka in sri bhagavat-geeta. This is the kuladevata of gsb community. Ravalnath & lord krishna are formed and not born through human process (ayonijas) kedaarnath: in “kedar vijaya purana” – ravalnath was born to sage paiganda rishi & his wife vimalaambuja. he killed the demons 1. Rudhirodgari, 2. Andahkasura 3. Manimalla 3. Grhadhaasura 4. Rakta bhoja. Devi Charpataamba killed Ratnaa Sura & Mandukaasura. jyothirba: in “karavir purana” or “kolhapur mahatmya” ravalnath meets karvira sambrajya laxmi in kedar (himalayas). she calls ravalnath and order him to kill 1. lavanaa sura 2. kolaa sura. she calls him as “jyotirba” in the kolhapur temple you find a gudi for ravalnath and on a hillock the magnificient temple of “jyotirba” - god on horse carrying a sword.

Other Temples

In maharashtra and goa “ravalnath” is a predominant god. He is kuladevatha for some and “rakshak (protector)”. Even gods like krishna, laxmi called him to kill the demons (tamasic powers). Hence every temple in maharashtra you find one gudi for ravalnath, jyothirba or kedarnath. There are 14 such temples including tulja bhavani temple. Rajapur, vengurla, savantwadi, konkan belt. Special power of ravalnath all gods like vishnu, shiva, ganapathy, mahalasa, shanteri-kamakshi, devaki krishna are all “satvik” forms. It is ravalnath who is “rajasic and tamasik”. he is the giver. hence we pray god for our needs and ambitions to possess things in this world. it is ravalnath who gives it. ravalnath kulavis we are directly under the “giving god”. ravalnath is also moksha dayak. All the demons he killed were given a place under the feet of the lord. ravalnath is also a punishing god for those who go against dharma, moral and justice. he is protecting people by punishing the evils. he is “rakshak” as well as “shikshak” four jyotir lingas: every temple has it’s own “stala purana” or the history behind it. Ravalnath was born in himalayan mountains. He has installed the linga of

1. Kedar - kedarnath
2. Ujjain – mahakal
3. Kashi – vishwanaath
4. Saurashtra – somanath.

In all these temples you find the horse riding god called by name “kala bhairav”, “veer bhadra” this is one of the reason why he is called “jyotirba” for installing “jyodtirlingas” concept in worshipping “lord ravalnath” we are indirectly worshipping lord vishnu, lord shiva and lord brahma. He is the “giver” and always behind his devotees and kulavis.