LORD ADI BRAHMA TEMPLE IN KHOKHAN, (KULLU)

In the village of Khokhan, about 4 kms. from Bhuntar in the Kullu Valley, is a large wooden temple dedicated to the worship of Adi-Brahma. Kullu, once known as Kulanthpitha, has been called "the end of the habitable world", being located in the far reaches of Himachal Pradesh.

The temple is located close to Bhuntar, on a road beginning in Shamshi, and moving towards the village of Khokhan. The temple is positioned at about same elevation as the Dayar temple of Lord Vishnu, across the valley.

The presiding Deity of the Khokhan temple, Sri Adi Brahma is located in the center of the temple, with Garh Jogni and Manikaran Jogni on his left and right sides. The temple is made of wood and stone in a pagoda style. The attendant rath is fixed with one ashta-dhatu, eleven silver, and two brass mohras.

In his book, Temple Architecture of the Western Himalaya, author O.C. Handa describes the temple structure and environs in some detail. As in the case of the Brahmadev temple at Kanappa Hill, the Deity is described as a "lingam", but is not to be confused with the traditional linga form associated with the worship of Shiva. Rather, linga has been used to describe Brahma's Chaturmukha (four-faced) form, and bas relief temple sculpture murti forms.

"Situated about 5 km. away from the shawl town of Shamshi, next to Bhuntar, on the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway No. 21, Khokhan is a sizeable farming village of about sixty houses in the lower Beas Valley. The village is not so well known, even in the neighboring area. The ancient, magnificent, multi-tiered pyramidal wooden temple in the heart of the village, dedicated to Adi Brahma, had also, thus, remained unknown to the scholars and researchers until Penelope Chetwode-John Nankivell team noticed its nostalgic grandeur some two decades ago.

This temple has assumed greater significance, for it is the finest of the four temples so far identified with Brahma in the Kullu Valley. The other three are at Phati-Kanaun, Shilpihar, and Rahala villages. Besides these, there is a significant temple of Adi Purkha, which is also traditionally associated with Brahma at village Tihri (Uttarsal) in Mandi district. Another temple of Brahma exists at Surla Charan in Nahan tehsil of district Sirmaur.

The prefix 'Adi' to 'Brahma' may be the extant evidence of Buddhist influence, which remained the popular dominant religion in the upper Beas valley, before it was superceded by the Brahmanic traditions.

The temple is laid out on a square plan, measuring approximately 900 x 900 cms. externally. The outer edge of plinth is defined by the sturdy deodar wood plinth-beams, which are lap-jointed on the corners. On these plinth beams, massive pillars are placed on the corners, with two in between each side. A 190 cm. wide verandah runs on all sides, leaving a square area, 520 x 520 cms. externally, for the sanctum. The sanctum has a sunken floor. In the sanctum, there is a 150 cm. tall black stone lingam, which the villagers believe belongs to the original foundation of this temple, when a 10th-11th century stone temple stood at this site.

The Adi Brahma temple at Khokhan is a dehra of the Deity. He has his bhandar in a village across the mountains, where his moharas and are enshrined. Usually the dehra remains closed, and is only opened to receive the Deity, when he comes out on his rath from his bhandar.

The four-tiered magnificent hansakara structure of the Adi Brahma temple is about 2,000 cms. tall. The formal arrangement of the temple as a whole is graceful, although the bottom tier is disproportionately wider. The upper three tiers are richly ornamented with graceful and high-raised supporting brackets. These lend an aura of sublime dignity to this edifice."

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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 ADI BRAHMA TEMPLE IN KHOKHAN, (KULLU)
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