Monthly Archives: October 2012

Geography and Climate

Janakpur Map

 

Janakpur is located in the Terai, alluvial, forested and marshy terrain at the base of the Himalaya mountain range. The major rivers surrounding Janakpur are Dudhmati, Jalad, Rato, Balan and Kamala. Janakpur is famous for its temples and the numerous ponds which carry significant religious importance. One can see all the six seasons in Janakpur. Basantritu (Spring-February/March), Grismaritu (Summer- April/May/June), Barsharitu (Rainy – July/August), Sharadritu (Autumn- September/October), Hemantaritu (Autumn-winter: November/December), Shishirritu (Winter: December/January). The best time to visit Janakpur is from September to March as the weather is pleasant and several festivals fall during this period.

Janakpur Dham

Janakpur

 

• Today part of Mithiladesh (which is a former name), is in Bihar (INDIA) and Nepal. Janakpur (Dhanusha district) in Nepal was its capital. ”

• Janakapur is 128 kms southeast of Kathmandu and 20 kms near the border of India, north of Indian cities of Darbhanga and Sitamarhi. This is the maternal place of Lord Rama’s wife Sita (or Janaki- The daughter of king Janak). Her exact birth place is in place called Sitamarhi (in India). In Janakpur, where Lord Ramachandra married Sita. It is one of the historical and religious cities of Nepal. Janakpur is the administrative headquarters of Dhanusa district of the Janakpur zone and has a population of approximately 80,000.

Marriage of Sita Rama • Janakpur, historically called Mithilanchal, is the centre of the ancient Maithil culture, which has its own language and script.

• The most important historical reference to Mithila/Janakpur is in the epic Ramayana, where Lord Rama’s wife Sita Devi (also called Janaki) is said to have been the princess of Videha. Her father, King Janak, found baby Sita in a furrow of a field and raised her as his daughter. When she grew up, the king announced that she should be wed by whoever was able to string the divine bow of Shiva. Though many royal suitors tried, Lord Rama, prince of Ayodhya, alone could even lift the bow.

• In olden days, Janakpur was capital of Videha . It was the home to the Mithila culture, which had its own language and customs. In ancient time videha or Mithila extended from Northern Bihar to SaptaKosi to Gandakiriver.

Ahobilam (Ahobalam)

Lord Nrsimhadeva

Ahobalam is located in kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. It can be reached at a distance of 68 kms from Nandial and about 100 kms from Cuddapah. This place is known by many names – Ahobalam, Ahobilam, Nava Narasimha Kshetra, Singavel Kundram, Pancha krosa Kshetra, Garudachala and Vedachala.

It is very popularly known from Sri Vaishnavas that the Nallamalai range of mountain in Andhrapradesh is manifestation of Adisesha himself and that at the tail end is Sri Sailam, the middle part is Ahobilam and the head is Tirupati. Mention of Legends connected with Ahobalam can be found in Brahmanda puran, Kurma Puran, Padma Puran & Vishnu Puran.

How the Name Ahobilam come?

Ahobilam

When Lord emerged out of pillar in his fierce and effulgent form, all the devatas (demigods) exclaimed “Aho Balam (what great strength!)”.Sthala purana speaks this wonderful pastime as an additional note to Lord Narasimha Lila mentioned in 7th canto of Srimad Bhagavtam.

“Ahoveeryam! ahoshouryam! Aho baahu parakrama!
Naarasimham paramdaivam ahobhilam! ahobalam!”

It adds that on the plea of Prahlada, Lord Narasimha continues to reside at Ahobalam on the peak “Garudachala”. Since this place was contaminated by blood of Hiranyakashipu and his army, Lord invoked River Mandakini to clean it. Since the river cleansed the dirt (sins) that causes birth (bhava), she came to be called as River “Bhavanashini”. Laxmi Devi appeared and sat on the folded leg of the lord. The forest grove thus got their name as Laxmivan. Seeing this beautiful sight of Lord and her consort, all great sages assembled and sang praises and hymns from Vedas. The mountain from where they chanted came to be called as “Vedadri”.

Ahobilam also got its name because of bila (cave). Long long ago (even before Lord Narasimha appeared to kill Hiranyakasipu). Garuda performed severe penance with a desire to have the darshan of Lord in Narasimha form. Pleased with him, Lord guided Garuda to see his Narasimha avatar form in a nearby huge cave. Garuda proceeded and was benedicted to see this beautiful form in this cave. Hence this area also got the name as place of beautiful cave -“Ahobilam”.

Following are the famous praises/ songs on Lord of Ahobalam-:

  • “Narasimha Panchamritam” – these 5 verses were sung by Lord Ramachandra when he came here.
  • “Angan naalam” – was sung by the great Thirumanghai Alwar.
  • “Sri Laxmi Narasimha pancaratna stotra” & “ Karaavalamba stotra” are two very famous hymns composed by Adi Sankaracharya when he came here.

Many great devotees like Ramanujacharya, Vedanta desika, Annamacharya also rendered service here and many of them composed beautiful prayers and songs at the feet of Lord Narasimha. Srila Ramanujacharya visited this temple in 11th Cent. A.D, Vedanta Desika (1268-1379 A.D.) while on his religious tour, visited Ahobilam. The great king, Vikramaditya (1076-1106 A.D) of the Western Chalukyas, is said to have worshipped the main deity of the temple.

Cave of Ramanujacharya in Ahobilam
Cave of Ramanujacharya in Ahobilam.