Tantriks, Newlyweds and Pickpockets Mix at Chinnamasta Temple

[Guest guest]

Rajrappa, Jharkhand, INDIA (29 Jan 2007): "Pocketmaron se savdhan

(Beware of pickpockets)" is the message inscribed in bold letters on

the famous Chhinamasta Temple wall at Rajrappa, 70 km from Ranchi. It

attracts a huge crowd of devotees from far and wide almost every day.

It's also a favoured destination of newly-married couples.

 

Another important aspect of the temple is the awe it generates among

its devotees. Worshipping the Chhinamasta demands certain rituals to

be observed, requiring arduous religious discipline. The pujaris

confide that ordinary mortals find it hard to visit the temple after

sunset when tantriks seeking siddhi (occult accomplishments) gather

there to do their special puja.

 

I wondered what warranted the temple management to warn the people

against the "pickpockets". After all, pickpockets, too, are human

beings. Are they not frightened of the wrath of the goddess for their

sinful acts? Why should the devotees of the goddess take guard against

petty pickpockets and that, too, in her shrine? Replying to the

queries a pujari said, rather irritated: "Puja kijiye aur ghar jaiye;

iss tarah ke sawal jawab ka time nahin hai, (Do puja and go home.

There is no time for such questions and answers)."

 

I soon realised that the tantriks might have mastered their siddhis.

But the pickpockets had mastered the sleight of hand required to dig

into pockets at crowded places like railway stations or temples. I

suggest to devotees to visit the temple, but not to rely too much on

the goddess to save their pockets! In fact, the temple committee, too,

doesn't rely on "divine intervention" when it comes to pickpocketers.

 

The place is worth visiting for nature lovers, too. Red Palash

flowers, captivating hills and sharp bends and turns in the valley

that takes one to Chhinamasta, 40 km away from Ramgarh, offers an

ideal road journey.

 

Moreover, unlike many waterfalls around the state capital, the area

around this temple is replete with good dhabas. Though, of course, one

can't get non-vegetarian meal, which is not allowed near the shrine.

Another attraction is the hilly river just adjacent to the temple. The

Ranchi-Ramgarh-Rajrappa road, too, is in a relatively good state. But

don't think you will manage the trip in a short time frame. There are

long queues of devotees. One has to wait for at least two hours for

one's turn.

 

The mythology goes that Shiva got furious after Parvati died. He

lifted her in his lap and embarked on a tandava (dance for

destruction). Sensing that Shiva will destroy the universe with his

rage, Vishnu let off his chakra that cut the body of the goddess into

parts, which scattered at 51 different places, including Rajrappa.

Rajrappa became one of India's 51 shakti pithas. Of course, the shrine

is also a favoured destination of politicians seeking "divine

blessings". Definitely worth visiting.

 

SOURCE: The Telegraph, Calcutta, India, Beware, but visit: Parallel

lines - Nalin Verma

URL:

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070129/asp/jamshedpur/story_7320270.asp