SRI MAHAVIR TEMPLE, SIRULEE, PURI DIST., ORISSA ...
sri premananda das, cuttack
Sirulee of Orissa
As you travel from Bhuvaneswar to Puri in the National highway after
crossing Chandanpur you will come to crossing known as Sirulee crossing or
Tulascholwa crossing. In case you want to visit one of the oldest Lord
Hanuman temples, you have to take a left turn and move about ten-KM and you
will come to a small pleasant village known as Sirulee. The village is not
very big but the temple built for Lord Hanuman is. All the roads of the
village will lead you the temple. This village is twenty-two KM from Puri and
around seventy two-KM from Bhuvaneswar.
Legend
Legend has it that after the successful mission, Lord Ram had returned to
Ayodhya after having killed the demon king Ravana of Lanka. During Lord Ram's
rule people were happy and leading a prosperous life, and there was no dearth
of food and other wealth. Lord Hanuman was on a pilgrimage and had visited
Lord Jagannath of Puri and was returning to Ayodhya. On His way when it was
evening time He saw beautiful pond full of lotus flowers and Hanuman then
decided to offer His evening prayers. The Lord stopped near the pond, had his
wash and started His prayer. After finishing of His prayer He proceeded
further towards Ayodhya. This place had where the Lord Hanuman had offered
the prayer is presently known as Sirulee.
Sirulee Mahavir temple
It is said that the Mahavir is 'swayambuhu' and the people were
worshiping the Lord for very long time. The temple for the Lord was expanded
and rebuilt by Maharaj Cholaganga Dev during sixth Century, using granite
stones for the entire building. A huge well was dug inside the temple
premises for drinking purpose and puja pursose. The total area of five acres
houses the temple complex. He had renovated the tank and constructed steps
for the tank with stones. The learned pundits belonging to the Sabari-narayan village near Bilaspur were invited to
be the priest of the temple by the then Maharajas.
Lord Mahavir of Sirulee
Idol of the Lord is about twenty feet tall. Idol of the Lord is West
Facing. The width of the chest of the lord is around eight feet. In His right
hand he holds the ring given by Sri Rama for Sri Sita and He holds along with
this the 'chutamani' given by Mata Sri Sita for Sri Rama. The peculiarity of
the eyes of the Lord is note worthy. Both the eyes of the Lord are not seemed
to be in alignment. While the left eye of the Lord is directed towards the
hole in the wall,the other eye is seeing southward. If you happen to be in
the early morning in the temple you will be able to see the blue charka on
the top of the Puri Jagannath temple through this hole. It is said that the
Lord Mahavir's (Hanuman's)eyes are fixed towards the 'neel-chakra' of the
Lord Jagannath's temple. The other eye is seen fixed towards Lanka.
Festivals and Neivadyam
Sankaranthi of every month is celebrated in the temple. Avil neivadyam is
offered every Tuesday to the Lord. One day in a year there is no puja for the
Lord, and that day only Tulsi water is offered to the Lord. Now a day apart from
Avil as
neivadyam- bada bhog, kadamba, Chudaghasa are also offered to the Lord
Mahavir. (Chudaghasa is made with one Kg of Avil, ten coconuts [dry] half Kg
of Pure Cow Ghee and half Kg of sugar)
Many Mahavir devotees from all over Orissa visit this temple regularly. There are certain families who visit this temple before any wedding or other aspious ceremony in their family. The Lord Mahavir who had offered his prayers is blessing his devotees in this kshethra as He is Presenna Mahavir.
[ed 14.09.2002]
additional information by dr. sri jaya
shankar [ed. 01.12.2005]