Shri Markandeya temple in Bilaspur

Markandeya is 20 km from Bilaspur. Markandeya is a small village in Bilaspur District noted for the Markandeya Temple. It is on Ghagus- Brahmpukhar road. This place is named after Rishi Markanday, who was born here. Nearby flows a spring of water, which attracts the pilgrims of Char Dham. A festival is celebrated here annually on Baisakhi with great pomp and splendor. Markandeya Temple isdedicated to Sage Markandeya who lived and worshipped there. Legends claim that a tunnel connected Markandeya and Vyas caves and the sages used to visit each other through this subterranean route. A night fair held in the nearby spring on the Baisakhi day draws a large number of devotees. Around Markandeya Sariun Fort : To the eastern side of the Tiun range, on the lifty range and peak of Sariun like this stronghold at an elevation of about 1500 mt. above MSL. It is about 58 Km. from Bilaspur. Tradition holds that the fort was originally built by same Raja of the erstwhile Suket State and was subsequently wrested by the ruler of Bilaspur. Tiun Fort : Relics of a fort on the top of a hill known as Tiun range, at distance of about 55 Km. from Bilaspur, on the Ali Khad crossing Ghumarwin - Ladraur motorable road and about 10 Km. of Ghumarwin proper still serves to remind of the ancient turbulent times when wars in this area were perhaps a routine feature.   Quick Facts State: Himachal Pradesh Distt: Bilaspur Destination: Markandeya. Climate: All the seasons of nature visit Bilaspur during the year. Situated in the hot temperature zone the climate of Bilaspur ranges from high temperature to sub tropical. Altitude: Markandeya is situated at an altitude of about 685 metres. Best time to visit: All the year round.   How to get there Air: Chandigarh and Shimla are the nearest airports, located at 135-km and 86-km from Markandeya. Rail: The nearest broad gauge railway station is at Kiratpur Sahib and nearest narrow gauge railway station is at Shimla, which are connected by regular bus , services. Road: Situated on the National Highway No. 21 Deluxe Buses and Ordinary Buses ply from Chandigarh to Biaspur via Kiratpur on the way to Manali crossing Mandi and Kullu. It can be approached by bus or taxi from Shimla via Darlaghat.

Short Story of Markandeya Mahamuni

One legend relates the story of how Shiva protected Markandeya from the clutches of death. (Yama)

Mrikandu rishi and his wife Marudmati worshipped Shiva and sought from him the boon of begetting a son. As a result he was given the choice of either a gifted son, but with a short life on earth or a child of low intelligence but with a long life. Mrikandu rishi chose the former, and was blessed with Markandeya, an exemplary son, destined to die at the age of 16.

Markandeya grew up to be a great devotee of Shiva and on the day of his destined death he continued his worship of Shiva in his form of Shivalingam. The messengers of Yama, the god of death were unable to take away his life because of his great devotion and continual worship of Shiva. Yama then came himself in person to take Markandeya's life away and sprung his noose around the young sage's neck. By accident of fate the noose mistakenly landed around the Shivalingam, and out of it, Shiva emerged in all his fury attacking Yama for his act of aggression. After defeating Yama in battle to the point of death, Shiva then revived him, under the condition that the devout youth would live forever. For this act, Shiva was thereafter known also as Kaalakalaya, meaning 'one who brought death, to death himself'.

Padamshali kul daivat - Shri Markandey Mahamunu Sulapur Maharashtra India.

Padamshali kul daivat - Shri Markandey Mahamunu Sulapur Maharashtra India.

Markandeya Temple - Rajahmundry, India

The ancient Lord Markandeya temple is located in Rajahmundry town. This temple is on the Godavari bund. It is easily reachable from the towns of Kakinada and Amalapuram. The temple was found in the ruins of an old Mosque near Chanda Satram (Satram - Choultry). On examination of the dilapidated mosque, the archaeological experts confirmed it to be a Shiva temple. A rich patron - Gundu Sobhanadriswara Rao in the year 1818, reconstructed this temple. The street on which he lived was named Gundu vari Street and the main entrance of this temple is on this street.

Legend has it that a Muni named Mrukhanada prayed to Lord Shiva for a child. The Muni was given the choice of selecting a baby and not having a husband or choose a boy who would survive for 11 years and would be a great devotee with a pious personality. The Muni chose the latter and Lord Shiva blessed her with a son.

The Boy, named 'Markandaya' knowing of his short life on earth, dedicated his life to the devotion of Lord Shiva and installed a Lingam and worshipped at the place where the temple now is. On attaining the age of 11 years, the Lord of Death Yama tried to take his life but Lord Shiva came to the boy’s rescue the Boy and gave him the boon of a full life.  The temple gets its name from Lord Shiva’s ardent devotee and is popularly known as Sri Markendeyeswara Swamy Varu.

Story of Markandeya Muni

Mrikand Muni, Markandeya’s father performed tremendous austerities to get a son from Shiva. After some time Lord Shiva appeared to him and asked him what boon he wanted. Mrikand Muni told Shiva that he wanted a son. Shiva said to him, “You can have a foolish son with a long life or you can have a very intelligent son; but he will die at an early age.� Mrikand Muni said, “I’ll take the intelligent son.� Markandeya was born as the son to Mrikand Muni and Mrikand Muni was very happy.
Markandeya grew up as a lover of Shiva. His father gave him a lot of knowledge and taught him how to do tapasya. When his son reached 16 years of age, Mrikand Muni became despondent because he knew that his son would die early. He decided that he would not live in the world without his son and he tried to take his own life. Just then Narad Muni appeared and asked Mrikand Muni why he was trying take his own life. Mrikand Muni explained that he was very sad that his son would die soon. When Markandeya overheard this, he said to his father, “This body is nothing but the five elements and it is not eternal. Why are you sad even though you have so much knowledge? Mrikand Muni replied, “I am sad because I will not be able to see you any more.�
Hearing this conversation Narad Muni advised Markandeya, “You perform austerities for Shiva and Shiva will give you blessings. Shiva brought you here and Shiva will take you from here.�

So Markandeya went off to do tapasya. He began to worship Shiva everyday, 24 hours a day. He recited the Mahamritunjaya Mantra, the Mantra which gives victory over death. At the appointed time for Markandeya to die, Yama, the God of Death, came to take Markandeya, but Markandeya was completely absorbed in samadhi.
Then Shiva appeared and said to the God of Death,“You cannot take him because he is praying to me with pure devotion. He is totally surrendered in worship. Whoever attains that quality of attention is freed from death."
Yama replied, “But it is my duty to take him. What shall I do? Shiva said, “No. You cannot take him. He will come with me.
At this time the Divine Mother appeared. She said to Yama, “You cannot take him. He has other karma to perform. I will give him a boon.� She told Markandeya, “You will write about me and share that knowledge with all of humanity so they will understand how they can be united with me. When they will know me, they will try be with me all of the time.
So Markandeya was saved and he went off to do tapasya and realized the Divine Mother. After his realization he wrote the Chandi Path.