Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network-Mangalore
Mangalore, Jun 24: The world is full of fascinating, unexplored places, but unfortunately, hardly does one have the time to glance at them or take the trouble to delve deep into their charming histories.
Gujjarakere, a lake situated near Jeppu, is one such place, immersed in an interesting story. The lake is linked to two distinguished saints, Macchendranatha and Gorakshanatha, who lived in the surrounding areas of Mangalore. The two of them were celebrated deities of the famous Kadri Sri Manjunatha Temple. This lake is also connected to nearby famous temples like Mahatobara Sri Mangaladevi Temple, Halekote Sri Mariyamma Mahishamardini Temple, Bolar and Sri Gorakshanatha Temple, Gorakshadhand.
According to Hindu mythology, Gorakshanatha was a disciple of Macchendranatha. On one particular instance, Macchendranatha asked Gorakshanatha to go on a piligrimage for 12 years. When he was back from his piligrimage, Gorakshanatha could not find his master. With his devotional spirit, Gorakshanatha sat for Dhyana, with his hand upon the Brahma Dhand (a stick that Swamijis usually carry).The place where he sat for the Dhyana is called Gorakshadhandu, a temple is also built at this place, known as Sri Gorakshanatha Temple. With his spiritual powers, he found his master Macchendranatha in the Kerala Malyalasiri Rajya, along with his wife Malayala Rani.
Gorakshanatha realized that his master had now converted to a Samsari (married) from a Sanyasi (Saint). Gorkshanatha wanted to change his master, Macchendranatha, back to being a Sanyasi. He goes to his master in the disguise of a servant and works for him.
One day, when the master along with his wife sits down for lunch, their son ends up urinating there. Gorkshanatha’s master calls him and asks him to clean his son. Gorakshanatha takes the boy to a river, dips him into the water and knocks him over a huge rock. Baby Manjunatha is now left with only skin, all of his flesh and bones are broken down to pieces. Upon being questioned by Macchendranatha, Goraksha asks his master to heal his son with his devotional powers, but he fails to do so, as he is now a samsari.
Goraksha then requests his master to give his old devotional powers to him so that he could treat Manjunatha. The master does as requested and Goraksha in turn puts the skin, flesh and bones back together and orders “Uto beta Manjunatha”, (Get up son , Manjunatha) . Manjunatha rises back to life. Goraksha pleads Macchendra to go along with him to the Mata in Kadri and return to being a sanyasi like before. Finally Machendra agrees, but his wife and son also follow them.
While leaving that place, Macchendra asks Goraksha to put two pieces of gold that he had in his side bag, so that it would help them in need as they made their journey from Kerala Malayala Rajya towards Kadri. On the way, they visited Gorakshadhand and passed by the lake, Gujjarakere. Gorakshanatha felt that being a sanyasi, it was futile to posses’ gold and throws both the gold pieces into the lake.
Before throwing, he speculates and puts a spell on the gold which would make it look like mud for the rest of the people, except for his master and himself, because if anyone else saw it as gold they would be greedy and fight after it.
As they carried on their journey, Goraksha also makes Malayala Rani disappear to a place faraway. That place is now known as Mangaladevi, and the Devi he vanished is Godess Mangalambika. History states that Mangalore is also named after this Mangala devi. Mangalore also known as Mangalapuram is derived from this tale.
Initially, there lived a group of people near Jeppu, called as the Gujjaris. They were extremely affluent and powerful, ruling the neighbouring places. This lake belonged to them and hence it got the name, Gujjarakere.
This tale shows the historical evidence linked to the holiness of the lake Gujjarakere . Such history being unknown to the residents of mangalore is a very sad state.
Around 2 years ago, the Mangalore City Corporation has laid the foundation towards the improvement of the lake at an estimated cost of approximately Rs 2 crore.But the project does not seem to be anywhere close to completion . The holy lake is dumped with waste such as garbage, plastic, tyres and other unwanted plants. An association called The Gujjarakere Teertha Samsrakshana Samithi was formed in the year 2002 consisting of 50 localities . This group is striving hard to maintain the sacredness of the lake.
Drainage water has engulfed the lake, around a week ago, meanwhile the MCC is still ignoring the holy place. A barrier wall created to protect the lake is close to collapsing, which shows further negligence on behalf of the corporation.
Gujjarakere is in need of quick development in order for it to become a perfect tourist attraction.
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