There is a very ancient temple of Markandeshwar Mahadev in Pindwara of Sirohi district. Where Yamraj had to face defeat from Lord Shiva. Even today, thousands of devotees go there for darshan and it is believed that just by darshan, the life span of the devotee increases. There is also a temple of Maa Saraswati where wishes are granted to children who do not speak or speak late. It is spoken, and the children quickly start speaking. When their wishes are fulfilled, the devotees take the children there and make them pay obeisance.
On hearing the name of Yamraj, who is considered the god of death, fear spreads in the minds of all humans. People don’t even like to hear his name. But according to the belief of Markandeshwar Mahadev Temple, by worshiping Yamraj in this temple, he protects the people from famine.
Markandeshwar Temple situated near the flower garden, among the three idols installed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, Lord Shankar is the main one seated in the middle. Whereas right in front of them is the idol of Yamraj. There is Markadeya Shivling near Lord Shiva.
Sage Markandeshwar was saved by Shiva from Yamraj –
In ancient stories, it is told in Shiva Purana, Padma Purana etc. that sage Markandeya is the child of sage Mukund, a devotee of Shiva. Mukunda Rishi, a devotee of Shiva, had no children. Therefore, the sage did penance to Lord Shiva and asked for a son as a boon. Lord Shiva told them that they are not destined to have children, so they should ask for something else. But God bowed down to the insistence of Mukunda Rishi and blessed him with a son. But the age of this son was fixed at twelve years only. After this, with the blessings of Lord Shiva, a son was born in the house of Mukund Rishi. Mukund Rishi named his child Markandeya. Right from childhood, Mukund Rishi gave all kinds of education to Tejasvi Markandeya. As time passed, sage Mukanda started worrying about the child’s short life. Both the couples started feeling sad. Markandeya ji did not see the sorrow of his parents. They started insisting to know the reason. Being forced by childish stubbornness, Mukand Rishi narrated the whole story. Markandeya understood that since he was born with the blessings of Lord Shankar after erasing the writings of Brahma, then even in this crisis one should take refuge in Lord Shankar. Sitting at the confluence of Ganga and Gomti, Markandeya became engrossed in intense penance. Shiva came here to complete his twelve years of life while doing Parthiv Vachan puja. One day Yamraj sent his messenger to take the child Markandeya. Yamraj’s messenger lost his courage after seeing the child engrossed in the penance of Lord Shankar.
He went and told the whole situation to Yamraj. Then Yamraj himself came riding on a buffalo to take the child. When Yamraj came to take the child Markandeya, he was engrossed in the penance of Shankar ji and Shankar and Parvati themselves were present there to protect him. To break the attention of child Markandeya, Yamraj started attacking from a distance, showing fear. Then Markandeya ji got scared and Shivling fell from his hand on the ground. As soon as Shiva fell to earth, the form of Shivlinga changed from the world of death to eternity.
Seeing the terror of Yamraj, Lord Shankar appeared to protect the devotee and saved Markandeya from Yamraj and warned Yamraj by saying, “Even if the world turns from here to there, the sun and the moon change, but you, my supreme devotee Markandeya, Cannot do any harm. The age of this child will be counted from my days. After this incident, Markandeshwar Mahadev started being worshipped. This temple is about 300 years old. The idol of Yamraj is worshiped and consecrated on Narak Chaudas, a day before Diwali. Also, a vow is made to Yamraj that he should not trouble them in the last phase. The kings of Scindia dynasty had established the temple about 300 years ago. This ancient temple was built in the Scindia state. A large number of devotees come here for darshan in the month of Shravan.
This shrine of Maa Veenapani is very ancient and very miraculous. Here, parents make a wish for such children who cannot speak, or stammer, or are weak in studies. On fulfillment of the wish, a silver tongue is also found here. Is climbed. Guru Gorakhnath ji’s ashes are also buried here. There is also a temple of Maa Kali and Bhairav Nath ji and also the penance place of the great ascetic Mahadev Nath ji of Abu.
The author is a senior officer of Rajasthan Administrative Service. He is currently working as Registrar in Rajasthan Civil Services Appellate Tribunal.