SRI
MAHAVIR TEMPLE, SIRULEE, PURI DIST., ORISSA
sri premananda das, cuttack
Sirulee of Orissa
As you travel from Bhuvaneswar to Puri in the National highway after crossing
Chandanpur you will come to crossing known as Sirulee crossing or Tulascholwa
crossing. In case you want to visit one of the oldest Lord Hanuman temples,
you have to take a left turn and move about ten-KM and you will come to a
small pleasant village known as Sirulee. The village is not very big but the
temple built for Lord Hanuman is. All the roads of the village will lead you
the temple. This village is twenty-two KM from Puri and around seventy two-KM
from Bhuvaneswar.
Legend
Legend has it that after the successful mission, Lord Ram had returned to
Ayodhya after having killed the demon king Ravana of Lanka. During Lord Ram's
rule people were happy and leading a prosperous life, and there was no dearth
of food and other wealth. Lord Hanuman was on a pilgrimage and had visited
Lord Jagannath of Puri and was returning to Ayodhya. On His way when it was
evening time He saw beautiful pond full of lotus flowers and Hanuman then
decided to offer His evening prayers. The Lord stopped near the pond, had his
wash and started His prayer. After finishing of His prayer He proceeded
further towards Ayodhya. This place had where the Lord Hanuman had offered
the prayer is presently known as Sirulee.
Sirulee Mahavir temple
It is said that the Mahavir is 'swayambuhu' and the people were worshiping
the Lord for very long time. The temple for the Lord was expanded and rebuilt
by Maharaj Cholaganga Dev during sixth Century, using granite stones for the
entire building. A huge well was dug inside the temple premises for drinking
purpose and puja pursose. The total area of five acres houses the temple
complex. He had renovated the tank and constructed steps for the tank with
stones.
Lord Mahavir of Sirulee
Idol of the Lord is about twenty feet tall. Idol of the Lord is West Facing.
The width of the chest of the lord is around eight feet. In His right hand he
holds the ring given by Sri Rama for Sri Sita and He holds along with this
the 'chutamani' given by Mata Sri Sita for Sri Rama. The peculiarity of the
eyes of the Lord is note worthy. Both the eyes of the Lord are not seemed to
be in alignment. While the left eye of the Lord is directed towards the hole
in the wall,the other eye is seeing southward. If you happen to be in the
early morning in the temple you will be able to see the blue charka on the
top of the Puri Jagannath temple through this hole. It is said that the Lord
Mahavir's (Hanuman's)eyes are fixed towards the 'neel-chakra' of the Lord
Jagannath's temple. The other eye is seen fixed towards Lanka.
Festivals and Neivadyam
Sankaranthi of every month is celebrated in the temple. Avil neivadyam is
offered every Tuesday to the Lord. One day in a year there is no puja for the
Lord, and that day only Tulsi water is offered to the Lord. The learned
pundits belonging to the Sabari-narayan village near Bilaspur were invited to
be the priest of the temple by Maharajas. Now a day apart from Avil as
neivadyam- bada bhog, kadamba, Chudaghasa are also offered to the Lord
Mahavir. (Chudaghasa is made with one Kg of Avil, ten coconuts {dry} half Kg
of Pure Cow Ghee and half Kg of sugar)
Many Mahavir devotees from all over Orissa visit this
temple regularly. There are certain families who visit this temple before any
wedding or other aspious ceremony in their family. The Lord Mahavir who had
offered his prayers is blessing his devotees in this kshethra as He is
Presenna Mahavir.
[ed 14.09.2002]
additional information by sri jaya shankar [ed. 01.12.2005]
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