An unusual temple

 Hinduism has many deities,  and each god would have many temples dedicated to him/her. Two divine entities, however, are an exception to this general rule. Very few temples are devoted to them. Most interestingly and quite significantly, the two are Bramha and Saraswati, the creator of the universe and the deity of knowledge respectively.

In a way, both these functions, creating the very universe and the igniting of knowledge and wisdom are so rare that it is but inevitable and normal that their temples should be very few indeed.

Let us today talk of the Bramha temple. It is in Rajasthan, in the Ajmer district. It is near the Pushkar lake. In fact, the town where the unique temple is based is itself called Pushkar. The Pushkar lake is unbelievably beautiful. It literally seems to stretch to the horizon, to infinity itself. It seems Sage Vishwamitra performed penance there, and in return attained the Bramharshi status.  Actually the scenic lake is so unusual that even an atheist would like to perform penance, to pray there!

Now a centre of the annual winter fair, the little town is rather decrepit and indistinct. The Bramha temple was installed by the Adi Shankaracharya himself. Apparently, the temple, unique because of the swan motif,  looks very simple, too, may be, because being so near to the Western-Northern border and thus easily accessible to marauders, it should not be obviously attention seeking, I suppose. Papa visited the temple out of sheer devotion and to fulfill the wish to visit all the major temples. 

Most interestingly, the idol sits cross-legged, the penance pose full of control of the self, especially the body. In his four hands are four unique things. They are the rosary, a book, a special type of grass and a kamandalu. They signify, I would say, knowledge, devotion, a desire for the final upliftment in to the moksha, and the base of existence, grass/food. The legend explaining why the temple is only one of its kind is quite anthropomorphic, and deals with the divine spouses's right to participate in a yadnya.

Interesting is thus the very mythology behind the temple. In other words, such an archaeology enriches our understanding!

Pratima@The real worship is deep knowledge!