Mount Popa Shrine

Name :  Mount Popa Taung Kalat Monastry. The name Popa is believed to come from the Pali/Sanskrit word puppa meaning flower

Location :

Mount Popa is a volcano 1518 metres (4981 feet) above sea level, and located in central Burma (Myanmar) about 50 km (31 mi) southeast of Bagan (Pagan) in the Pegu Range. It can be seen from the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River as far away as 60 km (37 mi) in clear weather. Mount Popa is perhaps best known as a pilgrimage site, with numerous Nat temples and relic sites atop the mountain.

Description :

Southwest of Mount Popa is Taung Kalat (pedestal hill), sheer-sided volcanic plug, which rises 657 metres (2,156 ft) above the sea level. A Buddhist monastery is located at the summit of Taung Kalat. At one time, the Buddhist hermit U Khandi maintained the stairway of 777 steps to the summit of Taung Kalat. The Taung Kalat pedestal hill is sometimes itself called Mount Popa and given that Mount Popa is the name of the actual volcano that caused the creation of the volcanic plug, to avoid confusion, the volcano (with its crater blown open on one side) is generally called Taung Ma-gyi (mother hill). The volcanic crater itself is a mile in diameter.

From the top of Taung Kalat one can enjoy a panoramic view. One can see the ancient city of Bagan; behind it to the north, the massive solitary conical peak of Taung Ma-gyi rises like Mount Fuji in Japan. There is a big caldera, 610 metres (2,000 ft) wide and 914 metres (3,000 ft) in depth so that from different directions the mountain takes different forms with more than one peak. The surrounding areas are arid, but the Mt Popa area has over 200 springs and streams. It is therefore likened to an oasis in the desert-like dry central zone of Burma. This means the surrounding landscape is characterized by prickly bushes and stunted trees as opposed to the lush forests and rivers Burma is famous for. Plenty of trees, flowering plants and herbs grow due to the fertile soil from the volcanic ash. Prominent among the fauna are macaque monkeys that have become a tourist attraction on Taung Kalat.

It is now a designated nature reserve and national park. Nearby lies Kyetmauk Taung Reservoir that provides sufficient water for gardens and orchards producing jackfruit, banana, mango and papaya as well as flowering trees such as saga (Champac) and gant gaw (Mesua ferrea Linn). A pozzolan mill to supply material for the construction of Yeywa Dam on Myitnge River near Mandalay is in operation.

Legends :

NAT Legends : 

Who are NATs ? : In Buddhist traditions of Myanmar, Nats are spirits of humans that met tragic ends and are portrayed accordingly in shrines across the country. One of the most well-known of the 37 spirits in the shrine of Mount Popa is Ko Gyi Kyaw, who died from his wild lifestyle and alcohol abuse. As the patron saint of tramps and alcoholics, his shrine is often covered in bottles of whiskey.

Many legends are associated with this mountain including its dubious creation from a great earthquake and the mountain erupted out of the ground in 442 BC. It is possible that the legends about Nats represent a heritage of earlier animist religions in Burmese countryside, which were syncreticised with Buddhist religion in the 11th century. There are legends that before the reign of Bagan king Anawrahta (1044 - 1077) hundreds of animals were sacrificed here as a part of nat worship rituals.

Mount Popa is considered the abode of Burma's most powerful Nats and as such is the most important nat worship center. It has therefore been called Burma's Mount Olympus due to the Nat activity and the shrine .

1) One legend tells about brother and sister Mahagiri (Great Mountain) nats, from the kingdom of Tagaung at the upper reaches of the Irrawaddy, who sought refuge from King Thinligyaung of Bagan (344-387). Their wish was granted and they were enshrined on Mt Popa.

2) Another legend tells about Popa Medaw (Royal Mother of Popa), who according to legend was a flower-eating ogress called Me Wunna, she lived at Popa. She fell in love with Byatta, whose royal duty was to gather flowers from Popa for King Anawrahta of Bagan (1044–1077). Byatta was executed for disobeying the king who disapproved of the liaison, and their sons were later taken away to the palace. Me Wunna died of a broken heart and, like Byatta, became a nat. Their sons also became heroes in the king's service but were later executed for neglecting their duty during the construction of a pagoda at Taungbyone near Mandalay. They too became powerful nats but they remained in Taungbyone where a major festival is held annually in the month of Wagaung (August).

Although all 37 Nats of the official pantheon are represented at the shrine on Mt Popa, in fact only four of them - the Mahagiri nats, Byatta and Me Wunna - have their abode here. Burmese superstition says that on Mt Popa, one should not wear red or black or green or bring meat, especially pork, as it could offend the resident nats, although Byatta and his brother Byatwi were the only Muslims who had shipwrecked and landed in Burma.

Burmese Myth :

There are many Burmese myths about the mountain, especially the one that said victory for any man who collected their army on the slopes of the mountain was guaranteed. The belief that victory can be guaranteed by visiting Mount Popa is interesting because it shows the cultural identification of life and prosperity with the mountain. The still current popularity of Mount Popa exemplifies the fact that Burmese people still rely heavily on ancient traditions in daily life. It is these ancient traditions that characterize the culture of the surrounding area and beyond. People travel great distances to assure their good luck into the coming years to Mount Popa, host to an immense annual festival which actually takes place in the temple atop the mountain.

Festivals :

Many Burmese pilgrims visit Mt Popa every year, especially at festival season on the full moon of Nayon (May/June) and the full moon of Nadaw (November/December). Local people from the foot of Mt Popa, at Kyaukpadaung (10-miles), go mass-hiking to the peak during December and also in April when the Myanmar new year called Thingyan festival is celebrated. Before King Anawrahta's time, hundreds of animals were sacrificed to the nats during festivals.

The festival involves a transgender medium being possessed by a nat spirit which give him the ability to communicate between the nats and the people. It is these types of festivals, the type that are unique to the region but also incredibly important to the participants, that attracts tourists to Burma.

Websites :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Popa

Hinglaj Matajee Temple Balochistan Pakistan

Name : Hinglaj Matajee Temple

Location :

Hingula is 90 miles away from Karachi. The road from Karachi to Hingula is alongside the Arabian sea. The area actually is a part of Bilochistan province of Pakistan. Hingol river falls on its way in Makran hills. Usual Transport is Camel or Camel driven cart. A beam of light can be seen within the dark cave, where the temple is located. The temple of Hinglaj is situated on the right bank of Hingol river. It is a low mud edifice, built at the extremity of a natural cave of small dimension, and only contains a tomb shaped stone, which is called the Mata or Maha Maya (Goddess).

Legends :

1. During the Treata Yuga, in the days of PARUSHURAM AVATAR, Rishi Dadechi narrated this story. In the TATARI MONGOL CLAN there lived a king named VICHATAR. He had two sons HINGOL and SUNDER. They belonged to Suria Dynasty of Kshtrya class.They were brave but cruel and lived luxurious lives. Their empire was adjacent to China. The people who lived in these countries belonged to Chandra Dynasty of Kshtrya Class and were followers of LORD SHIVA.

Prince sunder attacked the neighbouring countries and killed thousands of people and looted gold ornaments and demanded royalties from them. The people then prayed to Lord SHIVA to save them from the cruel prince by fulfilling their prayers and request , Lord SHIVA granted a boon where GANESH DEVA killed the demon prince Sunder in three days. After the death of Prince Sunder, his brother Hingola became furious and swore to take avenge his brother's death. He underwent penance and by his austerity for years he received the boon that no living being in the three worlds could kill him with any sort of weapon and his death will only occur at a place where Sunlight does not penetrate.

He thereafter defeated other kings, extended his reign with terror and cruelty. He referred to himself as HINGOL DEVA.People became very sick and tired in his reign and they performed great Yagna Hawan in their Devi Mata Temple in order to get rid of HIngol, the King. Devi Mata appeared and promised to kill Hingol. Hingol came in SATA DEEP, presently located in Balochistan and went inside a dark cave where Devi Mata with her wooden weapon TRISHUL killed him. In his last moments of life hingol prayed to Devi Mata that in future this place may be called after his name as HINGAL TEERATH and so the place came to be known.

2. According to another story in the PURAN , once SATI the consort of LORD SHIVA and the daughter of King Daksha was annoyed with her father for not inviting LORD SHIVA in the ceremony of Yagna. She jumped to in Agni Havan Kunda and burnt herself. LORD SHIVA then became furious and came and took the dead body of SATI and started roaming in all the dishas and there was danger created all over the world. Hence LORD VISHNU cut the body of SATI in pieces with his Sudarshan Chakra in order to cool down LORD SHIVA's anger. The pieces of SATI'S body fell at differant places; the head with its Hingul (Sindhoor, Vermillion) fell at this place on the Kunraj hills and it was named as Hingul Parvat and the Peeth was known as Shri Hinglaj Mata Asthan. This Peeth is considered supreme because Sati’s head had fallen here.

Description :

It is considered one of the famous and largest TEERATHS Pilgrimage of Subcontinent.
It is held in great veneration by both Hindus and Muslims. It is dedicated to Hinglaj Devi, the Goddess of Fate, Muslims call it Bibi Nani or simply Nani. In "Nani" there is a survival of ancient Goddess "Nanaia", whose Semitic name is "Anhita". Hinglaj Devi alongwith another Devi called "Kurukullh" was once upon a time, universally worshipped. Hingula means "cinnabar", largely used as materia medica in ancient India. Since "Hingula" cures snake bites and eliminates all types of poisoning, it came to be identified with healing of all sorts of diseases.



It is about 170 miles 250 KM from Karachi. One has to go by road on main Karachi-Quetta Highway (RCD) up to zero point for about 75 miles. Then by road towards west through Lyari town and then to Signal fauji camp stop,crosssing Aghore River. Then through Goongi River and last stop to "Asha Pura" sarai (INN). There are worship places of GANESH DEVA,MATA KALI,GURU GORAKH NATH DOONI,BRAHAM KUNDH,TIR KUNDH,MAHA KALI KUNDA,GURU NANAK KHARAO,RAM JAROKHA BETHAK,ANEEL KUNDH ON CHORASI MOUNTAIN and on the way CHANDRA GOOP , KHARI RIVER and AGHORI PUJA.



Pictures of this yatra can be seen at http://www.hinduofuniverse.com/hou/hinglaj-yatra-history.html. Thanks for the Hindu of Universe team for providing the world with these photos of this Religious yatra.

Hinglaj is situated about a day's journey from the sea coast, at the extremity of the range of mountains dividing Lasbella from Mekran. These is a large circular tank near it, which is said to be of great depth. They relate that one of the priests employed himself for a whole year in twisting a rope for the purpose, but it was not long enough. Those who can swim, jump into the tank from an overhanging rock, and proceed through a subterranean passage to another part of the mountain, which is believed to purify them from their sins. There is also a practice of throwing a coconut forcefully into the water, and as the bubbles arise in a large or small quantity, the individual accordingly will be happy or miserable.



It is believed that Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshman visited this peeth during Banvas.
There is no doubt that HINGLAJ TEERATH is very old and remained famous even during Mahabharat period when King Jaidrath of Sindh constructed Devi temples. When King Sikander of Yoonan, Europe when invaded India, he fought with King Balram at Bali Kot Fort and stayed at Hingol River. At that time, yatri devotees were performing HInglaj Yatra and they were safe. Samrat Vikramjeet, the king of India also visited Hinglaj as yatra after conquering all of India. Raja Todarmal of Mughal regime also visited this teerath. Other Rajput rajas like Bihari Mal, Raja Bhij Singh, Raja Madhoo Singh, Raja Jagat Singh of Jaipur, Ram Devji Pir of Rajasthan with his Army chief Agva Laloo Jakhraj also came to Hinglaj for yatra, Dada Mekhan the great saint of Gujarat also came to Hinglaj Teerath and he was called first KAPRI of Mata and after this all the Yatris are called KAPRIS. Kapris wear mala of Thumra in their neck.

Time to visit :

After creation of Pakistan, the govt. had declared it a prohibited area for residents of India but devotees residing in Pakistan and other foreign countries still take holy pilgrimage to the Peeth starting from Shri Swaminarayan Mandir complex in Karachi during Navratras in the month of April.

Shri Hinlaj seva Mandli every year makes arrangement of Yatra in the month of April in the form of JATHA JATHA , which is a large group of around 5000 people consisting of mem,women and children of different languages and cultures from all the states of Pakistan. These devotees are dressed in red caps and carry flags and banners of Hinglaj and past memories are renewed.

Like Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir, the Hinglaj Yatra is also considered difficult-one but those who perform it, are blessed heavily by the Mata.

Websites :

http://hinduofuniverse.com/hou/hinglajvisit.html

BESAKIH TEMPLE - Indonesia

Name : Besakih Temple ( Mother's temple )

Location :
The temple was built on the south slopes of Mount Agung, the principal volcano of Bali.
Perched on the slopes of Mount Agung, at a lofty 1,000 meters (3,000 feet).

Description : Over a thousand years old, Besakih Temple is known as the "Mother Temple of Bali" Besakih is the biggest and holiest of all the Balinese temples. Bali's mother temple stands against a stupendous mountain backdrop on the southeastern slopes of Mount Agung. Named after the Dragon God believed to inhabit the mountain, it's said to be the only temple where a Hindu of any caste can worship.

Perched nearly 1000 meters up the side of Gunung Agung, it is an extensive complex of 23 separate but related temples with the largest and most important being Pura Penataran Agung. The temple is built on six levels, terraced up the slope. The entrance is marked by a candi bentar (split gateway), and beyond it the Kori Agung is the gateway to the second courtyard.

Architecture :

Pura Besakih is a complex made up of twenty-three temples that sit on parallel ridges. It has stepped terraces and flights of stairs which ascend to a number of courtyards and brick gateways that in turn lead up to the main spire or Meru structure, which is called Pura Penataran Agung. All this is aligned along a single axis and designed to lead the spiritual person upward and closer to the mountain which is considered sacred.

The main sanctuary of the complex is the Pura Penataran Agung. The symbolic center of the main sanctuary is the lotus throne or padmasana, which is therefore the ritual focus of the entire complex. It dates to around the seventeenth century.

A series of eruptions of Mount Agung in 1963, which killed approximately 1,700 people also threatened Pura Besakih. The lava flows missed the temple complex by mere meters. The saving of the temple is regarded by the Balinese people as miraculous, and a signal from the gods that they wished to demonstrate their power but not destroy the monument the Balinese faithful had erected.

Festivals :

Each year there are at least seventy festivals held at the complex, since almost every shrine celebrates a yearly anniversary. This cycle is based on the 210-day Balinese Pawukon calendar year.

It had been nominated as a World Heritage Site as early as 1995, but remains unvested.

Visitors to this temple should exercise caution as there is a syndicate operating in and around the premise of this temple. They target tourists by offering a compulsory "tour guide" at exorbitant charges. They also perform "prayers" and request for tips at the end of the "tour". Visitors who decline their "services" are dealt with rather aggressively.

Problems :

Illegal forced donations which are actually extortions were committed by local youths from surrounding villages on visiting tourists. Foreign tourists are asked for an additional 50 US dollars to visit, while Indonesians are asked for 200,000 rupiah (~$15 USD). Despite this, the local authorities have done little to stop such acts.

Websites :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pura_Besakih