Darshan of Shree Haasanaamba, the Smiling Mother Goddess

[Guest guest]

|| Jai Sadguru Dutta ||

 

PREAMBLE

 

Hassan is a prominent district of the Karnataka State, India. Shree Haasanaamba

is the presiding deity of Hassan city. There is a temple shrine with an anthill

(snake mound) representing Hasanamba. The temple of Hasanamba will be opened

only once in a year for about a week, during the Ashwayuja month (October). A

big 'Jatra'( fair) will be held on this occasion. This time, the temple will be

open for darshan between 16 -27 October.

 

BACKGROUND

 

It is widely believed that once when the "saptha maathrkaa"s (i.e., seven

mothers; namely: braahmi, maahEshwari, kaumaari, vaiShNavi, vaaraahi, indraaNi

and chaamundaa) were passing through this place (in the sky), they were

fascinated by the place's beauty and sanctity and hence decided to stay here

permanently.

 

vaiShNavi, kaumaari and maahEshwari started living in the anthill. vaaraahi,

indraaNi and chaamundaa occupied the three wells in the pond situated at the

centre of the city (now aptly called as "devigere"). Braahmi devi made

"kenchammana hosakote" (a village near Hassan city) her abode.

 

In the Puranas, Hassan is mentioned as "sinhaasanapuri". After the devis settled

here, it came to be known as Haasan because, the devis live here "smilingly"

[sanskrit "hasan" – to smile] and protect people like Mothers.

 

DEVI'S MIRACLES

 

Inside the temple, one can see a big anthill with three female faces clearly

formed over it. Still more interesting and awesome fact is that a big round "red

chandan" mass is formed in the foreheads of the 3 devis. On the day of closing

the temple, this mass is fully scraped and distributed among the devotees. When

the temple doors are opened the next year, this mass will be full formed just as

before.

 

Another interesting fact is that the "nandaa deepam" [lamp lighted with

clarified butter] keeps burning all along the year, even when the temple doors

are closed. Still more interesting fact is that the "anna naivedya" [coocked

rice offering] that is kept in front of the devi while closing the temple

remains hot and fresh when the temple doors are opened up the next year. Only a

few privileged like the temple authorities, the District Comissioner and the

first few devotees can witness this on the first day, when the temple doors are

opened.

 

The Mother Goddesses are very popular in this region and people adore them with

love and devotion. Thousands have got fulfilled their wishes due to their

devotion to the Mothers. Incidents of men getting punished by the Mothers for

their misconduct are also plenty.

 

yaa dEvee sarva bhoothEshu maathr roopENa sansThithaa |

 

namasthasyeai namasthasyeai namasthasyeai namO namah ||

 

R.Srinath