PUSHKAR BRAHMA TEMPLE

Though Brahma, the Creator of the Universe, is one of the Gods of the Hindu Trinity, yet his importance has virtually diminished in the hearts of the Hindus of India. This is so because respect for Brahma has been beclouded by the respect for Vishnu (preserver of Universe) and Shiva (destroyer of universe). Having created the universe, the work of Brahma is considered completed, though that of Shiva and Vishnu is still continuing. As such both these Gods command more respect from the people.

There is another reason, or perhaps a belief, associated with this diminishing value of Lord Brahma. Mythical legend has it that Brahma once decided to perform a yagna and for this he needed a place on earth. He was on his search for a place when the lotus flower in his hand fell off and landed in Pushkar. Hence, he announced Pushkar as the venue for the yagna (Pushp means flower while kar means hand). However, unfortunately, his wife Savitri was not present with him at that point of time. Due to this Brahma married a local maid, Gayatri who completed the formalities of Yagna with him. When Savitri arrived at the spot and discovered Gayatri, she was infuriated. She cursed Brahma that Pushkar would be the only place where he will be worshipped by his devotees in future.

The Brahma Temple in Pushkar, being the only one in the country dedicated to the Creator of Universe, as such has great significance amongst the devotees. Thousands of devotees visit this shrine every year to pray before Lord Brahma. Though there are numerous other temples dedicated to different Gods in Pushkar, yet the place is more renowned as the abode of Brahma.

The Brahma Temple

The Pushkar Brahma Temple is located on the banks of the Pushkar Lake. The temple was originally built in the 14th century and stands on a raised platform. Marble steps lead upto the temple that has a red spire and an image of Hans, the vehicle of Lord Brahma, on the top of the main doorway to distinguish it from numerous other temples nearby.

A lovely silver carved turtle can be seen sitting with its face towards the sanctum sanctorum. The black and white chequered tiles floor around the turtle is full of silver coins donated by the devotees with their name and the birth and death anniversary date of their loved ones engraved on it.

The four headed image of Lord Brahma is in a cross legged position with Savitri on his right and Gayatri on the left side.

The temple becomes specially important during the Kartika Purnima in the months of October- November. This is the time when the sleepy town of Pushkar comes alive with the joyous Pushkar festival. It is also the time which marks the period during which Brahma performed his Yagna in Pushkar. Numerous people with deep faith in their hearts take a holy dip in the water of Pushkar Lake and bow their head before the Jagat Pita, Lord Brahma.

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LORD BRAHMA'S TEMPLES IN WORLD AND HEADS OF LORD BRAHMA

Amongst the thousands of Hindu religious places of worship in the world, Only three Temples are dedicated to our Supreme Creator Brahma Ji - Why?

In the Hindu Trinity of Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva, Lord Brahma is the Creator of the Universe and all living beings are said to have evolved from him. Brahma is also believed to have created the Saptarishi, or seven great sages, to help him create the Universe.

When Brahma creates the world, it remains in existence for 1 of his days, which means 2,160,000,000 years in terms of Hindu calendar. The world is said to exist for one Kalpa, or one day in the life of Brahma. Brahma is then believed to go to sleep for one night, which is as long as a Kalpa. When Brahma goes to sleep at the end of his day, the world perishes in fire. When HE awakens, HE again restores the whole creation.

This process (Pralaya) goes on till 100 years of Brahma's life is completed, which is the life span of Brahma. When this period ends, HE himself loses his existence, and HE and all Gods and Sages, and the whole universe get dissolved into their constituent elements. And this whole process of creation and destruction repeats itself ceaselessly, the world getting re-created endlessly...

Inspite of the above immense role, Why only three Temples of Brahma in the World?

Legend has it that Lord Brahma is said to be very liberal with granting boons and is easily pleased when prayed to without any thought as to who is praying and asking him for a boon. HE is rather callous in granting boons to the demons unguardedly.

All the deadly demons, from Hiranyakashipu to Ravana, received their boons from Brahma, which made them singularly notorious in destroying the noble virtues of the world. Then it became necessary for Lord Vishnu to appear in his various reincarnations to kill these demons.

That is why the cult of Brahma's worship declined as HE became unpopular amongst religious devotees who began to deem Brahma as the sole God of worship for the demons. Another reason why Brahma is not widely worshipped is the belief that being the Creator, his work is complete, at least for the time being.

Hence, there are innumerable temples of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva around the world, while Lord Brahma has only 3 temples, all in India, one at Pushkar Lake in Rajasthan, another in Khokhan - Kullu Valley and the other at Khedabrahma in Gujarat.

And how many Heads does Lord Brahma have ?!

Well, again Legend has it; Brahma originally possessed one Head. From a part of his own body, HE created a woman Shatarupa (a face with 100 beauties). She is also known as Savitri, Brahmi, Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge), Gayatri (the triple hymn or the Gayatri Mantra), Sandhya. And is the Consort of Lord Brahma.

Brahma fell in love with his own female creation and could not take his eyes off her extraordinary beauty. Shatarupa felt shy and tried to evade his gaze by moving away on all sides. To follow her wherever she moved, Brahma created his 5 heads.

According to the Puranas, Brahma and Vishnu were once arguing over who was superior of the two. They discovered from the Vedas that Shiva was the Supreme Being. Brahma however, spoke disparagingly about Shiva. In anger, Shiva opened his fiery 3rd eye, and burnt off the head, which had spoken, and therefore Brahma was left with 4 heads.
Brahma's 4 heads represent the 4 directions (Poorab, Pashchim, Uttar and Dakshin), 4 Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva) and the 4 Varnas (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras) in Hindu Religion.

According to Shiva Purana, from the incestuous union of Brahma and Shatarupa was born Svayambhuva Manu, the progenitor of Man, and from him in turn all creatures as depicted in Manu-Smriti. According to Manusmriti, the span of a human life is 100 years. Every Hindu man should spend a part of his life in each of the 4 Ashrams to fulfill his obligations: to the sages by studying (Brahmacharya), to his ancestors by raising male progeny (Grihastha), to the Gods by performing penance and sacrifices (Vanaprastha), and for the salvation of his soul by renouncing the world (Sanyasa). This was assuming, of course that he lived his full life span.

Lord Brahma is also the Creator of the Beautiful Ahilya, whom He married off to Sage Gautama. She became a piece of rock, being cursed by her husband, because she was seduced by Indra, The King of Heavenly Spirits. She was brought to her natural form when the rock was touched by Lord Rama's feet, and then Ahilya got reconciled with her husband, Sage Gautama.

Brahma's abode is known as Brahmaloka, which is said to contain all the splendors of earth and of the heavens of the other Gods. His vehicle or Vahana is a white swan or goose, which has magical abilities: it can separate soma and milk from water. Therefore the bird Goose, is also a symbol of sifting good from evil. His Consort Saraswati, is the Goddess of wisdom and science, the Mother of the Vedas, and the Inventor of the Devanagari script.

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