Thursday, November 6, 2014

Bhalka Tirth, Somnath, Gujrat.

                                        
       Idols inside the Bhalka temple and 'Moksha-Pippal"

          About three kilometers from Somnath temple, en-route Veraval is situated this temple complex known as Bhalka Tirth. This place is related to the last part of "Leela" of God Krishna on this earth. After God Krishna took the glory of Yadavas to the zenith and ruled Dwarka many long years, Yadavas became arrogant. They even disrespected Brahmins whom God loved so much. Even though the Yadavas were God's own family he would not tolerate it. Krishna was no ordinary man. He was the avatar of Vishnu and he is also called the Yogeshwar. So when God Krishna saw that his purpose as an avatar was complete and disorder among Yadavas touched to its limit He decided to end His Leela and the Dwarka too. God ordered his bhakta (Follower) Uddhav to go to Badrinath as Dwarka would get submerged in coming days. He too left Dwarka and came to Bhalka near Somnath and sat under a Peepal tree ( a sacred tree like banyan) in the forest in half resting position. He got into meditation under that tree while one of his soles was looking golden yellow like a deer from a distance. It was that time when a poacher (व्याध) named "Jara" came there looking for some prey. He mistook Krishna's sole for a deer and shot an arrow into it. When "Jara" came there he saw the arrow pierced into Krishna's sole and the wound bleeding. "Jara" fell into God's feet and repentantly asked for forgiveness. God Krishna consoled him and said it was not his doing but everything was due to God's own wishes. And that He was going to end His Leela. Thus God sent him back to his place.

             Due to this incident, the Bhalka became a sacred place and it is now famous as "Bhalka Tirth". The idols in the temple here depict this incident - God Krishna half lying with an arrow pierced into His sole and "Jara" the poacher sat weeping both hands folded asking to forgive him. Near the idol is a sacred "Peepal" tree which is touched by devotees. It is called "Moksha Pippala" (मोक्ष पीप्पल).

Main Gate of the "Bhalka Tirth"

                When you enter the main gate of Bhalka Tirth complex a peaceful feeling surrounds your mind. There are many banyan trees under which devotees sit. A Mahadev temple and a clean pond is nearby the main temple. The pond has pucca steps all around. We saw a few turtles in the pond.

Main Temple at "Bhalka Tirth"


          We visited Somnath in the month of February this year with the main purpose of "Darshan" of first of the twelve "Jyotirlingas" the "Someshwar Mahadev" and then seeing of other religious places nearby. The time of visit was perfect as the weather was very pleasant. We booked hotel "Sagar Darshan Atithigruh" online through the trust's site http://www.somnath.org/ as it was very near to the Somnath Temple and very good sea facing rooms. With a rented cab, we visited many religious places in the Somnath including the Bhalka Tirth. The hotel had a big parking space for vehicles. Since Veraval is a center of fishing we saw numerous fishing boats on the way to Bhalka Tirth. These boats were in the fishing port just beside the highway with many flags furling over them. And the whole atmosphere was filled with a very objectionable bad smell like all the fishing centers do. At many places, we saw fishing boats repaired or being newly constructed.


Making of a "Fishing Boat" beside the highway
about a km from "Bhalka Tirth"

                 The months of February - March, and October- November are good seasons to visit Somnath as the weather remains mild and lovely.

"Kund" (Pond) at "Bhalka Tirth"
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