Narkarnavataraka Shiva

About

Second Halt - Ratri Vishram- Bhimchandi- The Narkarnavataraka Shiva is one of the rare pieces of statue showing Shiva in humanized-archetypal form. He has 5 heads (symbol of five organic elements, i.e., the earth, water, fire, ether, and wind), 10 hands (controlling the 10 directions, i.e. eight and the up and the down). His fluid energy, the river goddess Ganga has a seat in Her matted hair, while his consort Parvati is sitting in angry mood because she is jealous to the Ganga. in the compound there are two old trees, the one holy fig (Ficus religiosa, pipala) associated to Shiva, and another of margosa, nima (Azadirachta indica) associated to the goddess. Finally, some of the pilgrims take a holy dip in the scared tank of Gandharva Sagara, while a majority of pilgrims only touch the water to get themselves cleansed of rituals filth and pollution. After visiting temples and shrines in the vicinity and all the images in the temple compound of Bhimchandi, the pilgrims find shelter in the local dharmashalas where they repeat their round of cooking, enjoyment of religious stories, and finally rest. At this site during the night there is a tradition of pilgrims paying a visit to Bhimchandi temple to see special decorations and to chant. Throughout the night people awaken to the sound of more religious stories and singing of devotional songs in praise of the goddess. Presently this is dying as fewer people participate in this age-old tradition, in the early morning pilgrims pay a final visit to Bhimchandi and all the deities in the compound and proceed further. At the second stop, Bhimchandi, pilgrims do the similar rituals and leave for continuing the journey while praying Her and the associated deities: O Goddess Bhimchandi! The infinite source of Energy, Relieve me from all the obstacles; With reverence bowing head to you, And moving further, Please bliss and wish that I visit you again Pilgrims offer coconut, cunari (a piece of coloured cloth) and red flower (preferably hibiscus) to goddess Bhimchandi.