Legend Of Tuljapur Bhavani Temple
Tuljapur, the one amongst three and half Shakti Peethas (abodes of cosmic powers) of the state, is situated in Maharashtra, wherein resides the Mother Goddess Tulja Bhavani. She is also fondly revered as Aai (mother) Ambabai, Jagdamba, Tukai by her devotees who throng in millions to Tuljapur for her Darshan and for seeking her blessings. As a divine Mother, she protects her children from the sins of evil desires, selfishness, jealousy, hatred, anger and ego. At the same time, TuljaBhavani symbolizes the power of the Supreme Being that maintains moral order and righteousness in the universe.
TuljaBhavani is also described as the impressive and formidable goddess in Hindu Puranas. She is known for combating demons who threaten the stability of the universe. She killed the Demon (asur) called Kukur, who, endowed with supernatural powers, had become arrogant and a great menace to the social and moral order of the day. When the Goddess appeared to kill him, the demon assumed the form of a ferocious buffalo (mahisha) and challenged her for a combat. She vanquished him in the battle and killed him and from then onwards, she became popularly known as "Mahishasur Mardini", the one who killed the demon called Mahishasur.
In Maharashtra, TuljaBhavani worship is of great antiquity and innumerable royal houses and their nobles have been devotees. She is the Family Deity (Kuldaivat) of most of the Maharashtiran families, including the great Bhonsla dynasty , whose most celebrated progeny was Great Shivaji, the founder of Hindavi Swarajya. Legend has it that it was Tuljabhavani who gifted the Bhavani sword to Shivaji to vanquish his opponents in the battlefield.
According to Hindu Puranas, She manifested her divine presence through all Yugas (ages). She guided Lord Rama in the Treta Yuga; blessed Yudhishtir in Dwapar Yuga in the epic war of Mahabharata, and in the Kali Yuga, she was an eternal source of great inspiration to King Shivaji and according to legend, she gifted the most celebrated Bhavani Sword to him.
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