Worship of Lord Brahma, Part 9

BY: SUN STAFF

Lord Brahma – Brahmhuti Temple, Una

Nov 30, 2017, CANADA (SUN) — A serial exploration of places of Lord Brahma's worship.

The Brahmhuti Temple at Una

In Hindola village near Mehatpur, along the remote Una border of Himachal Pradesh, exists a beautiful temple dedicated to the worship of Lord Brahma. The village is situated in the Shivalik foothills, and is remote and obscured from the world around it. One can only get to Hindola village by walking. There are no roads in place to make even walking easy.

Villagers must navigate along seasonal rivulets and natural tracks to get from Hindola to anywhere else in Himachal and Punjab. When the monsoons come, the 1,000 residents of Hindola, along with the many Punjabi villages of Nangal, are kept at home, as their normal watery-walkways become impassable.

Sitting along the banks of the River Sutlej, against a hilly backdrop covered in brilliant green, is the peaceful abode of Lord Brahma. The temple view of Sutlej River is beautiful and crystalline. Devotees, although very few in number, hold this place as a sacred bathing site. From the temple there are beautiful views of the Gobind Sagar Reservoir and the lush green hills.

The Brahmhuti temple (Brahmahooti, Brahmauti or Brahmooti) was built during the time of the Mahabharata pastimes. The presiding Deity, Brahmadev, is said to have worshipped here at Hindola village during the Mahabharata era. Nearby there is also a Shiva temple from the Pandava era, in Swamipur Bag village.

Brahmhuti Temple, Una

Lord Brahma is offered respects here by the local priests and villagers, although they complain about the lack of attention and maintenance support forthcoming from local officials. In an article in Himachal Tribune, writer Kiran Deep states:

"The reason of this temple for not getting recognition as many people still fear to worship Brahma. As per the mythology, Brahma decided to perform a yagna at Pushkar, but his wife Savitri was late in joining him. Later when she came and found Brahma performing yagna with another woman, she cursed Brahma that he would only be worshiped at Pushkar. People still believe that the only place in the world where worshipping Brahma is considered auspicious is Pushkar," according to the head priest of the temple, Mr Mahesh Giri."

Deep states that local officials and politicians refuse to come visit the temple because the Pushkar pastime worries them. The temple is run on donations alone, and as a result, has fallen into disrepair. On the occasion of Baisakhi and certain other festivals, more visitors come to get darshan of Brahma, and their donations keep things going. Over the last 50 years, this temple has enjoyed the continued protection and patronage of the local people.

Because of the lack of roads, few tourists or other pilgrims generally come here, not attracted to the idea of walking several kilometers in the hilly region to reach the temple. The village residents, of course, are very desirous of attracting visitors, who would help the local economy.

The temple has undergone some renovations in recent years. In fact, the original Brahma temple here is now submerged in the River Sutlej, following what is described as a "high-rise in the riverbed". This may refer to flooding, but could also be attributed to an actual movement of the earth. Only when the riverbank returned to his normal levels did the original temple partially re-emerge. It can be seen, out in the water of the Sutlej.

Along with the Gobind Sagar Reservoir are two nearby dams, the Nangal dam and the Bhakhra dam. The Bhakhra dam discharges the icy waters from the Sutlej River, which wash the feet of Lord Brahma in this ancient temple.

Brahma shrine at Pushkar

SERIES INDEX:

Part 1 - Brahma-Karmali in Carambolim, Valpoi, Goa
Part 2 - Pushkar, Rajasthan
Part 3 - Chinch & Asotra, Rajasthan
Part 4 - Eklingji, Udaipur, Rajasthan)
Part 5 - Vasantgarh, Rajasthan)
Part 6 (Rajasthan: Bijoila, Mewar; Chandravati, Sirohi; Kiradu & Sevadi, Jodphur)
Part 7 (Khokhan, Himachal Pradesh)
Part 8 (Tihri-Uttarsal, Himachal Pradesh)
Part 9 (Una, Himachal Pradesh)

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