The city of Sagar is one of the important cities of Madhya Pradesh. Today the city is
climatically preferred for many industries as it is well connected by railway and National
Highway. Heritage and culture of the city is sober and admirable. The city is vibrant with the
many Institutions under Sagar University. This apart, this is the place where many people stay
during their sojourn to nearby Garhphara Mountains, Rahatgarh waterfalls, Kimlasa forts and
other places of tourist importance. The city is also the home for the State Police Academy.
The city got its name “Saugor” from two words Sau+Garh meaning Hundreds of forts. Today Saugor
had become Sagar, that also not without reason. The heart of the city is a lake which is very
huge like a ocean [Sagar in Hindi]. The main lake which is called Sagar Lake established by
Lakha Banzaara in early 1100AD is the heart of the city, and the very panoramic view of the
lake can give you peace.
The ancient Indian kingdom of Chedi had its capital as "Suktimati", which was located in Sagar in contemporary times. But in the recent history the Maratha General Govind Pant Bundele made Sagar the capital of the territory in the year 1735. Thus the city gained its importance. Since located in the center of India and strategically positioned it gained more importance. The Maratha Empire in India had to face many wars with British. But the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818) was the final and decisive conflict between the British East India Company and the Maratha Empire in India. Bhonsle was defeated in the battle of Sitabaldi and Holkar in the battle of Mahidpur. The northern portion of Bhonsle’s dominions in and around Nagpur, together with the Peshwa’s territories in Bundelkhand, was annexed by British India as the Saugor and Nerbudda Territories. On conclusion of war by a treaty concluded with the Maratha Peshwa in 1818, the greater part of the present district was made over to the British.
Thus Sagar town became the capital of the Saugor and Nerbudda Territories, and then attached
to the North-Western Provinces. Though the Sagar town was attached to one or the other Division
of India, the importance as a military base and its cantonment remained same. The cantonment of
Sagar was thus active all these years.
The present day Sagar was founded as an alternate capital by the rulers who were ruling with Gadpahra as capital. Gadpahra is the older Sagar, presently the area is known as Old Sagar. Gadpahra is situated around twelve kilo meters from Sagar on the hill of Bhainsha on Jhansi road.
One can see an Old fort built on low ranges of Bhainsha hills. Gadpahra is known as the most ancient and Siddh kshetra. The place is known as Siddh because of the presence of the very powerful ancient Hanuman Mandir. There are two main temples in the mountain. The temple of Angat Devi is in the down stream of the mountain and Sri Hanuman mandir.
It could be seen that worship of Lord Hanuman and Durga Devi in this region was in practice for long time since both these deities bestow fearlessness, braveness which are essential for the soldiers.
There are many Mandirs for Devi in this location known as Kali Mata Mandir, Mata ka Mandir, Deviji ka Mandir etc. There are many Mandirs for Lord Hanuman, out of which Parad Mandir is famous. Although this entire area is known as Parad, temple for Sri Hanumanji only is known as Parad Mandir.
Those days people were not materialistic, they devoted time for prayers also. Persons who had ability to sing will be performing bhajan in lead and others will participate. In case competent person is found then he will be giving lectures on Ramayana or Mahabharata. This activity was in practice during early morning or evening in temple premises.
There was a learned person who used to recite ‘Sundra Kand’ in the Hanuman temple near his house before proceeding to perform his duties in the office. He was a great devotee of Sri Hanuman, and was employed in the army. One fine day while he was reciting ‘Sundra Kand’ he was so deeply involved in the Ramayana that he lost sense of time. When he over came the emotion, he realised that he had over stayed in the Hanuman temple. That day he was also to attend practice of march-past in the camp. Since he is a disciplined man, he went straight to the commandant and apologised for not attending the rehearsal of march-past. But the commandant looked at him and asked him why he was asking for an apology when he had attended the rehearsal in the morning. It was a surprise for the devotee. When his batchmates also confirmed that he had attended the morning parad, he was even more surprised.
In the night he thought about this strange happening. After a prolonged thought he realised
that he got emotional while reading the place where Sri Rama’s army lead by Sri Sugriva and
followed by Sri Hanuman were crossing the ocean in parad. Now it dawned on him that it was non
other than Sri Hanuman of this temple had gone to parad disguised in his place.
In the morning he went to Sri Hanuman temple and saw that Sri Hanuman was smiling at him in a naughty way. It took him few seconds to know the fact that his prediction was correct. He realised that he is destined to spread the glory of Sri Rama. Hence he offered his resignation from the army and started spreading the glory of Sri Rama by giving discourses on Sri Ramayana.
he temple in which the above incident took place is now known as Parad Mandir. The Lord who had listened to Srimath Ramayana is now known as Parad Sri Hanuman. Even today one can see the great Lord who was moved by the purana of Ramayana when read or told with devotion. Lord of this kshetra is seen with a mustache. With His right hand He is showing that there is only one Lord above us by upward raised index finger. [People mistake that His right hand is in a saluting posture]. His left hand is seen resting on his chest close to heart. His right leg is resting on the head of a demon. His left leg is firmly on the ground. Lord’s bright big eyes bringing a grin to His face. The long tail of the Lord raised above His right shoulders passing behind the head.
The north facing Pared Mandir is situated in cantonment area on the National Highway 26A, and from Sagar Railway station it is about three to four kilometers and same distance from Bus station also.
Sri Rama Navami, Sri Hanumath Jayanti, Sivarathri, Sri Krishna Jayanti are celebrated in this temple. The old temple was renovated and Kumbhakishek of the temple was performed during 1934, by Sri Lakshman Giri Naga Baba. Sri Hanuman Parade Mandir is managed by Sri Panch Zuna Akhara Mahant Sri Lakshman Giri Naga Baba, Sagar, Damoh.
Sri Parad Hanuman wearing smile in His face gives lot of love and bestow happiness to His devotees. The glories Lord is sure to destruct all obstacle His devotees faces.
Ed [January 2015]
the author is working with MP Police in Sagar
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SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST, THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE.
Our salutations to this Hanuman who always brings subham - everything that is good - for His devotees and eliminates the bad and the evil. He removes even the traces of bad thoughts and deeds from His devotees. i.e He makes them pure in words, thought and deed.