Kamalnath Mahadev Temple – The place where Ravana himself had cut off his head and offered it to Mahadev.
There is an ancient temple of Lord Shiva situated on the hills of Awargarh in Jhadaul tehsil, about 80 kilometers from the city of lakes Udaipur, which is famous by the name of Kamalnath Mahadev. According to the Puranas, this temple was established by Lankapati Ravana himself.
This is the place where Ravana had dedicated his head to Lord Shiva in the fire pit, due to which Lord Shiva was pleased and established the Amrit Kund in Ravana’s navel. The biggest feature of this place is that here Ravana is worshiped before Lord Shiva because it is believed that if Ravana is not worshiped before Shiva then all the worship goes in vain.
The Legend of Kamalnath Mahadev according to Purana
Once Ravana, the king of Lanka, reached Mount Kailash to please Lord Shankar and started doing penance, pleased with his harsh penance, Lord Shiva asked Ravana to ask for a boon. Ravana asked Lord Shiva for a boon to go to Lanka. Lord Shiva agreed to accompany him in the form of a Linga, he gave a Shiva Linga to Ravana and placed a condition that if he placed the Shiva Linga anywhere on earth before reaching Lanka, I would be installed there. The journey from Mount Kailash to Lanka was quite long, on the way Ravana felt tired and stopped at a place to rest. And despite not wanting, Shiva Linga had to be kept on earth.
After resting, Ravana tried to lift the Shiva Linga but he could not move, then Ravana realized his mistake and to repent, he started doing penance there again. He used to worship Lord Shiva with hundred lotus flowers once a day. Ravana spent twelve and a half years doing this. On the other hand, when Lord Brahma felt that Ravana’s penance was going to be successful, he stole a lotus flower during the puja one day in order to thwart his penance. On the other hand, when one flower was missing during the puja, Ravana cut off one of his heads and dedicated it to Lord Shiva in the fire pit. Lord Shiva was again pleased with this rigorous devotion of Ravana and as a boon, he established the Amrit Kund in his navel. Also declared this place in the name of Kamalnath Mahadev.
To reach the temple on the hill, you can take your own vehicle to the temple of Shani Maharaj located below, but the further journey of 2 kilometers has to be completed on foot. Lord Ram also spent some time of his exile at this place.
Historical importance of Kamalnath Mahadev Temple
The hills of Avargarh also have historical importance – Jhalaur was the estate of Jhala kings. A fort still exists on the hills of Avargarh at a distance of 15 kilometers from Jhalaur. It was built by Maharana Pratap’s grandfather’s grandfather. It is famous for the fort of Avargarh. When the Mughal ruler Akbar attacked Chittor, the fort of Avargarh was the safe place for the armies of Chittor. In 1576, the battle of Haldi Valley took place between the armies of Maharana Pratap and Akbar. In the battle of Haldi Ghati, injured soldiers were brought to this fort of Avargarh for treatment. In the same battle of Haldighati, the great Jhala Veer Man Singh had saved the life of Maharana Pratap by sacrificing himself.
After the battle of Haldi Ghati, on the hill located in Jhadaul Jagir, where the fort of Avargarh is situated, Maharana Pratap lit Holi in the year 1577. Since that time, Holika Dahan takes place first at this place in all Jhalaur. Even today, every year the people of Jhalaur, followers of Maharan Pratap, gather on the hill on the occasion of Holi, where the priests of Kamalnath Mahadev Temple burn Holika. Only after this, Holika Dahan is done in the entire Jhalaur area. Holi of the people of Jhadaul inspires other people of the country, how we can remember the glorious past of our country while celebrating our festivals.
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