Almost every year I visit Shiroda in Konkan region to attend
the padva - Bapu Mama utsav either during May or June as per the tithi in the
Hindu calendar. And nearby is Aravali, famous for the Shri Dev Vetoba
Devasthan, a popular old temple and a tourist attraction in the area. A close
connection between the Kamat family of Shiroda and the Vetoba temple goes back
to hundreds of years, which makes it all the more necessary for me to visit the
temple when ever I visit Shiroda. The cool and spiritual environment inside the
temple makes your visit a pleasant one.
Shri Dev Vetoba Devasthan in Aravali is situated on the Shiroda-Vengurla main road. Aravali in taluka Vengurle, district Sindhudurg, Maharashtra. Shri Dev Vetoba Devasthan is one of the most famous 'jagrut' (Lord who fulfills the wishes of devotees). Shri Dev Vetoba is the God of Aravali village. Natives of this picturesque, tranquil village straddling the Arabian Sea worship Shri Dev Vetoba as their protector. They believe He brings prosperity to the village. Devotees worship Him as a loving and compassionate God who answers their prayers, fulfills their wishes and comes to their aid in times of crisis and difficulties. Locals and devotees lovingly call their God, simply – Vetoba.
Thanks to Vetoba’s blessings, Aravali has today blossomed
into a significant pilgrimage centre in Konkan. Devotees in thousands pour into
the village from far and wide to seek Vetoba’s darshan and blessings during His
two big annual festivals: on Margshirshya shuddha pratipada (Devdipavali) and
His investiture-day festival on Vaishakh shuddha panchami. The festivals
are celebrated with great devotion, enthusiasm and fanfare. The temple is
decorated with flowers and lights. Dazzling fireworks light up the sky.
Vetoba’s elegant and
prominent idol is fashioned out of ‘panchdhatu’ (5 metals). It is bigger than
the life-size, 9’.2” tall, and faces north. Vetoba is standing, in all his
glory and power, with a sword in his right hand and an agnipatra (small
utensil) in his left. In the temple's sanctum sanctorum, Vetoba's idol is
flanked by idols of Shri Dev Bhummaiyya, Shri Dev Purwas, Shri Dev Rampurush,
Shri Dev Baracha Purwas (Nirakari) and Shri Dev Bhavkai.
It is a common practice and a long tradition to seek Vetoba’s consent and
blessing before undertaking any new work, project, repair or construction of a house or when obstacles come
in a devotee's routine life. Devotees and villagers seek His blessings during times of
difficulties, disasters or before undertaking any new job, business or venture, including marriage or any local disputes. They have full faith on Vetoba's judgement.
Vetoba’s ‘Kaul’ - In Konkan region, there is a tradition of
asking for Vetoba’s ‘prasad’, a worship ritual popularly known as ‘kaul’. In
essence, ‘kaul’ is designed to seek specific answers from Vetoba for varied
personal problems. So, in a ‘kaul’ 33 leaves of ‘salai’ tree are stuck to
various specified parts of Vetoba’s idol, each one imbued with certain meaning.
And an experienced villager, well-versed in this practice interprets the answer
from the leaves that Vetoba drops down. And then they guide the answer-seekers
accordingly, either yes or no or not presently or its not the appropriate time.
From the time Vetoba’s temple was first established in early part of 17th
century, this age-old tradition has continued till date. Devotees say Vetoba is
known to give answers to all queries or problems that normally is considered
correct and come true, and devotees abide by these pronouncements.
Another age-old tradition, is offering
of bananas or banana bunch (ghad), sweets such as sugar, pedhe, laddus, a pair
of dhoti, uparana as naivedya to Vetoba. There is also a peculiar tradition of
offering Him a pair of new chappals made from special leather which is available
only in Aravali. Locals believe that Vetoba acts as the caretaker and protector
(rakshankarta) of their beautiful village, walking the paths in the night
wearing the chappals offered to him. The next day when you check the chappals, it has marks as if somebody has worn and walked the paths and terrain.
Vetoba's temple is basically the temple of Vetal, the King
of ghosts, pishacchas, demons and other evil entities. The word ‘Vetal’ itself
is imbued with profound meaning. If the word’s first alphabet is omitted, the
remaining two, ‘Taal’ in Marathi mean balance, buddhi or wisdom. If the second
one is omitted, the remaining two, 'Vel' mean 'time'. And if the third one is
omitted, the remaining two, 'Vet' mean to bring forth.
Humans are prone to doing negative, evil things or bad karma. This usually
happens when they fall prey to negative, selfish thoughts. In other words, when their buddhi or wisdom
goes haywire, the power that brings forth or restores buddhi or wisdom in time
is Vetal. Vetal is the God who reins in evil, negative thoughts or tendencies
in humans, and guides them on the righteous path.
In Indian culture, there is a tradition to affix the suffix 'ba' to proper
names. 'Ba' denotes respect and reverence. In Gujarat too, mother is called
'ba.' . So, in Vetal's name the replacing of the last alphabet by ‘ba’ is
indicative of respect and reverence for the deity. So he is called Vetoba in reverence and respect.
Manifestation of Shiva - Vetoba is
offered satvik (pure) naivedya like sugar, bananas pedhe, laddus etc. Vetoba is a God that observes the purity and rigours of Brahma worship. He is
the manifestation of Lord Shiva. He is a King. He is the King of the ghosts, who
controls evil entities like demons, pishacchas etc. Ghosts make up his army,
but he is not a ghost himself. He is their King. This is well collaborated
by many sources, including Srimad Bhagwad and Matsyapurana. The 5th adhyaya of
Navnath Bhaktisaar Granth describes how Macchindranath harassed the ghost
kingdom and challenged the king Vetal, to a fight. And how Vetal organised his army of ghosts,
summoning them from different regions.
In the temples of Maharashtra, devotees meditate on Vetoba
with the mantra: || Om Namah Paraay Shivatmane Vetalay Namah ||
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Yogiraj Bapumama Keni – The connection between Vetoba temple
& Kamat family in Shiroda.
Any discription of Aravali’s Shri Dev Vetoba is incomplete
without reference to Yogiraj Bapumama Keni.
The Story
As the story goes, he was hailed as Sidhpurush, Bapumama, etc. He was also
called Yogiraj Bapumama Keni. Around 1730, Bapumama a spiritually inclined
saintly person arrived in Shiroda and stayed at Harbanna Kamat’s house for 40
years. He worshipped Vetoba as Vitthal, the avatar of Lord Krishna. It is
believed that while standing in front of Vetoba with folded hands, a small
flame emerged from the deity’s heart, floated through the air and stopped in
front of Bapumama’s heart. It was as if saying that he and Bapumama were one.
This incident has been widely reported. Hence any description of Aravali’s
Vetoba is incomplete without reference to Bapumama.
It is said that hrough his pravachanaas (lectures), Bapumama sang the glories of Vetoba and preached about His power and compassion to the devotees, turning hundreds of people into Vetoba’s staunch devotees. Due to his presence in the region, Aravali soon blossomed into a holy pilgrimage place, where devotees thronged, and still do for Vetoba’s darshan and blessings.
It is said that hrough his pravachanaas (lectures), Bapumama sang the glories of Vetoba and preached about His power and compassion to the devotees, turning hundreds of people into Vetoba’s staunch devotees. Due to his presence in the region, Aravali soon blossomed into a holy pilgrimage place, where devotees thronged, and still do for Vetoba’s darshan and blessings.
Since Bapumama was very close to Vetoba that his anniversary programme is
called ‘Bapumamacha Padwa,’ and is celebrated every year. It takes place on
Jeshtha shuddha pratipada at the residence of Gajanan Pandurang Kamat at
Shiroda. In honour of the occasion, it is the tradition to send from Aravali’s
Shri Dev Vetoba Devasthan members of Joshi, Haridas, Puranik families, together
with vajantri (troupe with instruments) and the temple gurav to Kamat’s
residence at Shiroda.
Also read:
MyPost
First
Likes & Dislikes!:
Women love to remember the many firsts in their lives, like – first love, first date, first kiss, first dress/saree, first flight, etc.
Women love to remember the many firsts in their lives, like – first love, first date, first kiss, first dress/saree, first flight, etc.
But
at the same time love to forget a few firsts like – first streak of grey hair,
first sign of getting old, first glimpse of a wrinkle, first feel of going out
of shape and first realization that she is crossing 30.
Men
too have their likes and dislikes, but soon forget the count of it! Men are not
too attached to it. They remember for a while and forget it. A seasoned husband
is one who forgets his marriage anniversary or his wife’s birthday at least
once and I need not mention the repercussion!
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Picture Post
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| Sateri temple close to Vetoba in Aravali |
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