Damodar Kund
| Damodar Kund | |
|---|---|
Artificial lake | |
| Basin countries | India |
| Max. length | 257 ft (78 m) |
| Max. width | 50 ft (15 m) |
| Settlements | Junagadh |
Damodar Kund (
Many Hindus prefer to bathe here and immerse the ashes and the bones left after
The water of the lake has properties of dissolving the bones.[3] The lake is 257 feet (78 m) long and 50 feet (15 m) broad and only 5 feet (1.5 m) deep. It is surrounded by a well built ghat.[3] The steps for going up the Girnar hills start near Damodar Kund.
At the foothills of Ashwatthama Hill in Girnar mountain range base, southerly to Damodara Kund is the Damodar Hari Temple. The idols here are supposed to have been installed by Vajranabha, the grandson of Lord Shri Krishna, the one who also is credited with Dwarkadhish Temple and many other. Historically, these temples are supposed to have been built or renovated by a Suryavanshi ruler named Chandraketpur, who is also accredited to have built the temples of Shiva at Bhavnath, a testament to his tolerance for all belief systems.[5] The place underwent renovation during the regime of King Skand Gupta of Gupta dynasty in the year 462 AD. Lord Damodar here is considered by vaishnavaits as Adhipati of Girnar Kshetra.
Covering an area of 32 acres (13 ha), the temple is constructed using pink sandstone and consists of an inner Nij Mandir and an outer Solaha Mandapa, each topped with a Shikar, supported by an array of around 84 exquisitely carved pillars. Nij mandir's shikhar is 65 feet (20 m) tall and the sabhha Mandap's shikhar is 30 feet (9.1 m) tall. The statue of Damodarji is found in the form of Chaturbhuj, each arm holding a conch, discus, mace and lotus, along with Sri Radha Rani. Both the idols are sculpted from black stone and are heavily decorated with gold and silk. There are other sub shrines dedicated to Lord Balarama, Sri Revati and Lord Ganesha. There are several other ancient temples nearby with on and outside temple complex.
Devotees are seen taking a holy dip in the sacred bathing tank, Damodar Kund, before offering prayers at the temple.
The sewa of Shri Damodarji is being performed here in the Samprant-Yug by Vaishnav tradition. Shri Damodarji is the Ishtdev of the Giri Narayan Brahmin community and several other local communities. As per the traditional belief, Giri Narayan community is living here since around 12000 years ago.[6]
The Damodar Kund is closely attached to the life of
Narsinh Mehta in one of his verses mentions this fact as quoting self as under:
(Gujarati:
— ગિરિ તળેટી ને કુંડ દામોદર ત્યાં મહેતાજી ના’વા જાય.)
at the foot hills of Girnar, there is Kund (lake) Damodar, where Mehtaji goes for bathe
Close to Damodara Kund, on the westerly to the Damodarji temple is Revati Kund. The kund is 52 feet (16 m) long, 52 feet (16 m) broad and 37 feet (11 m) deep. Because of the depth dip here is not safe for all.
There is another holy lake, Mrigi Kund located nearby in Bhavnath temple premises. Hindus prefer to bathe in all these lakes to get rid of their sins.[7]
Damodar Kund is one of the monuments protected by the state government of Gujarat. It is a temporary check-dam reservoir, which are being made and shifted regularly, in order to maintain water levels throughout the year at Damodar Kund. There are changing rooms, public toilet and other basic amenities provided by government, who have built permanent structure at Damodar Kund for facility of pilgrims.
References
- ISBN 9788120604858.
- ^ ISBN 9788182202085.
- ^ a b c Gazetteer , Volume 8, Bombay (India : State). Government Central Press, 1884. 1884. p. 442.
cremation.
- ^ "At the Three Rivers". Time, February 23, 1948.
- ISBN 9788173871832.
- ^ "Radha Damodarji Temple". Archived from the original on 2018-10-04. Retrieved 2019-07-15.
- ^ a b Fairs and Festivals of India: Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra by Madan Prasad Bezbaruah, Dr. Krishna Gopal, Phal S. Girota - 2003 - Page 157
- ^ Census of India, 1961: Gujarat published by India. Office of the Registrar General, 1965, pp 818.
