So my second book is finally done.. what immense relief it is to be able to finally stop writing and let the editor do her job!
While my first book Vishwamitra was based more on secondary research of the scriptures, for the second one on Parshu-Raam, I decided to get down and as the proverb goes - get my hands dirty. My frantic research to find the avatar's birthplace had made me wander to Konkan and Himachal but neither of these professes to be his birth place. It was in fact through an obscure trekking article that I stumbled upon this place that am sharing with you.
For the uninitiated, my protagonist is the Sixth of the TEN major Avatars of Lord Vishnu known as - Dashavatar. As I have earlier written in my blog on mythology, these ten incarnations depict evolution on this planet {Read the complete article here - Darwins-evolution-in-Dashavtar}.
While my first book Vishwamitra was based more on secondary research of the scriptures, for the second one on Parshu-Raam, I decided to get down and as the proverb goes - get my hands dirty. My frantic research to find the avatar's birthplace had made me wander to Konkan and Himachal but neither of these professes to be his birth place. It was in fact through an obscure trekking article that I stumbled upon this place that am sharing with you.
For the uninitiated, my protagonist is the Sixth of the TEN major Avatars of Lord Vishnu known as - Dashavatar. As I have earlier written in my blog on mythology, these ten incarnations depict evolution on this planet {Read the complete article here - Darwins-evolution-in-Dashavtar}.
The descriptions of Parshu-Raam represent that of the early man who was living in the forest in small communities, using simple tools like the Axe, Bow and arrow. Many people might not be aware that his father Yamdagni is credited with the discovery of slippers and umbrella - clearly an indication towards the new discoveries early man was making to make his life more comfortable!
There are numerous geographical places connected with the life of Parshu-Raam - the entire Konkan region in Maharashtra is dotted with his temples, he is associated with multiple places in the state of Kerala, he is supposed to have taken a dip at the Parshuraam Kund in Arunachal Pradesh, and the Renuka Lake in Himachal Pradesh still holds an annual fair where the son comes to meet his mother.
I find it fascinating to explore the actual places connected with these historical people (Yes for me they are historical even though they are considered a part of mythology). It gives me goosebumps to see the places mentioned in scriptures from millenia ago and imagine the life of my characters in them. My hunt for the Avatar's birthplace led me far away from all the above mentioned places and towards an unlikely and surprising location - a small nondescript hamlet in Madhya Pradesh called JANAPAV!
I find it fascinating to explore the actual places connected with these historical people (Yes for me they are historical even though they are considered a part of mythology). It gives me goosebumps to see the places mentioned in scriptures from millenia ago and imagine the life of my characters in them. My hunt for the Avatar's birthplace led me far away from all the above mentioned places and towards an unlikely and surprising location - a small nondescript hamlet in Madhya Pradesh called JANAPAV!
Locations in India associated with Lord Parshu-Raam
I wasn't sure if this indeed was the place I was looking for but I decided to check it out. I had been planning to visit one of my college friends in Indore since a while and this place happened to be just about 35 Km away from the city. As luck would have it, while I was still thinking about when to schedule my trip, another friend mentioned her own travel to Indore over the upcoming weekend. All of a sudden I realized it was a sign God was giving me to do this trip!
So I quickly booked my tickets and landed at the Ahilyabai Holkar Airport early in the morning where my friend Nirmit who was gracious enough to pick me up. A short ride through the quiet early morning streets of Indore brought us to a Halwai shop where we packed Pohe, Ussal and Jalebi for breakfast. The moment I saw those I knew I would have to completely forget my dietary control that weekend. Indeed we were hogging throughout those two days thanks to the famous Indorian hospitality!
So I quickly booked my tickets and landed at the Ahilyabai Holkar Airport early in the morning where my friend Nirmit who was gracious enough to pick me up. A short ride through the quiet early morning streets of Indore brought us to a Halwai shop where we packed Pohe, Ussal and Jalebi for breakfast. The moment I saw those I knew I would have to completely forget my dietary control that weekend. Indeed we were hogging throughout those two days thanks to the famous Indorian hospitality!
After a short nap and a quick shower, we picked up the third friend and left for Janapav tracking the route through Google maps which showed it as a Shiva Temple just off the Mumbai-Agra Highway. We set off to the accompaniment of a slight drizzle, ready to explore this unheard of place that nevertheless, could have huge historical significance.
The drive through the highway was nice and leisurely and the landscape is dotted with many small hills. Since it had been raining in the past week, we were greeted with lush vistas and a pleasant breeze that made us roll down the windows and enjoy the journey. We stopped at couple of places for the mandatory Facebook and Instagram pictures which BTW I believe are the small joys of a long journey ;o)
Posers on the highway
River Chambal, famous for its erstwhile dacoit-infested areas is believed to begin at the hill of Janapav where we were headed. Remember Gabbar of Sholey and THE Phoolan Devi? Yes they used to live just a little ahead of here!
The turn towards Janapav comes on the left side of the highway if you are traveling from Indore and you have to be careful not to miss it. A well-paved road takes you through an increasing elevation surrounded by fields and shrubs in the lower portion and dense trees in the higher region till you reach a bridge over the aforementioned river. From here onwards, a steep incline begins and takes you to the top of the hill.
The turn towards Janapav comes on the left side of the highway if you are traveling from Indore and you have to be careful not to miss it. A well-paved road takes you through an increasing elevation surrounded by fields and shrubs in the lower portion and dense trees in the higher region till you reach a bridge over the aforementioned river. From here onwards, a steep incline begins and takes you to the top of the hill.
The signboard that told us we were in the right spot!
The first view of the Ashram at the top of the hill
To our surprise, it was thronging with pilgrims when we reached there! Considering the fact that no one I knew, including my friends from Indore, had known about this place, I was a little surprised on seeing so many people. But as we parked our SUV in the small parking space (which BTW also had a donkey and two calves parked there), I realized the reason why that was so.
We, the city-dwellers have lost touch with our roots to the extent that the only places that we know of are the ones promoted as tourists spots by various websites and tour-operators. Places like Janapav that are off the track very easily fall off the map and are increasingly being relegated to the small towners or those who have heard of them from their religious gurus and are genuinely there on a pilgrimage.
It is a shame since the real beauty of India is in such hidden places that have retained their original flavor. The view from the place is breathtaking. There are multiple ponds visible from the top of the hill and as far as the eye can see its only uninterrupted forests covering the entire range like a breathing, living carpet. And just when you start enjoying the serenity that the view provides, there come the langoors!
It is a shame since the real beauty of India is in such hidden places that have retained their original flavor. The view from the place is breathtaking. There are multiple ponds visible from the top of the hill and as far as the eye can see its only uninterrupted forests covering the entire range like a breathing, living carpet. And just when you start enjoying the serenity that the view provides, there come the langoors!
Just like the monkeys in Jakhu Temple at Shimla and the Elephanta Island near Mumbai, this area has been claimed by Langoors who probably thrive in the forests around. They are pretty calm and friendly and I saw a lot of pilgrims, even children share their food with them and their babies. Seeing them reminded me of the Vanars from the Ramayan and I made a mental note to visit Kishkindha, the kingdom of Sugreev (Hampi) next.
Anyhow, a short walk from the parking area is a temple and an ashram that belonged to Yamdagni (Rishi Jamdagni as known by the locals) and is believed to be the place where Lord Parshu-Raam was born. It was an ecstatic feeling to find that we were indeed in the right place and to stand at the very spot where the Avatar was born!
Though the existing temple is small and even the Ashram is not very big, but I was delighted to see that a big temple dedicated to the avatar is coming up across the parking.
Though the existing temple is small and even the Ashram is not very big, but I was delighted to see that a big temple dedicated to the avatar is coming up across the parking.
The small shrine dedicated to Parshu-Raam
The not-so-talkative elderly Pandit ji
The younger Pandit ji who corroborated the entire story of the Avatar for me
The new temple coming up at Janapav
For those who do not know, Parshu-Raam is recognized, and even dreaded, as the man who decimated the entire ruling class in a bygone age. His name was whispered in hushed tones by Kshatriya kings till not very long ago. You may have heard of him from your grandparents or seen a brief glimpse in some television mythological but seldom is his life story detailed to an extent that it could become an epic by itself.
I have made a sincere effort in my upcoming book NOT to harp about his later achievements that many of us are aware of, but to bring to readers the events from BEFORE his birth that slowly but surely led this simple Brahmin boy to become the legend that fate forced him to become.
The time spent at Janapav was therefore extremely valuable for my research and gave me an understanding of the formative years of my protagonist. The lush green vistas of the hill-side gave me an insight into what kind of life the Avatar would have had growing up in the region as well as a setting for the major events that shook his life. I have woven the story around this place in a way that you would hopefully be transported back to the ancient times of Treta-Yug when this god-incarnate is supposed to have caused a major upheaval in the Indian society.
I have made a sincere effort in my upcoming book NOT to harp about his later achievements that many of us are aware of, but to bring to readers the events from BEFORE his birth that slowly but surely led this simple Brahmin boy to become the legend that fate forced him to become.
The time spent at Janapav was therefore extremely valuable for my research and gave me an understanding of the formative years of my protagonist. The lush green vistas of the hill-side gave me an insight into what kind of life the Avatar would have had growing up in the region as well as a setting for the major events that shook his life. I have woven the story around this place in a way that you would hopefully be transported back to the ancient times of Treta-Yug when this god-incarnate is supposed to have caused a major upheaval in the Indian society.
Besides his well-known deeds, Parshu-Raam also finds mention in the Mahabharat as the guru of Kuru patriarch Bhishma as well as the ill-fated Karna. Since Parshu-Raam was opposed to Kshatriyas, Karna had to lie about his identity in order to receive martial training from him, a subterfuge that ultimately led Karna to be cursed to forget the very knowledge he had acquired when he needed it the most.
Like his own grand-uncle Vishwamitra, Parshu-Raam also makes an appearance in the grand epic of Ramayan as well although briefly. When Shri Raam breaks Shiva’s bow in the Swayamvar for Sita’s hand, Parshu-Raam arrives at the scene like a storm and challenges the prince for a duel. As far as I am aware, this is the only instance where two different incarnations of Lord Vishnu have come face-to-face as adversaries! It also brings to fore the conflict between the way of life that early man was living and the way that was adopted in the years to come by the more civilized man.
Like his own grand-uncle Vishwamitra, Parshu-Raam also makes an appearance in the grand epic of Ramayan as well although briefly. When Shri Raam breaks Shiva’s bow in the Swayamvar for Sita’s hand, Parshu-Raam arrives at the scene like a storm and challenges the prince for a duel. As far as I am aware, this is the only instance where two different incarnations of Lord Vishnu have come face-to-face as adversaries! It also brings to fore the conflict between the way of life that early man was living and the way that was adopted in the years to come by the more civilized man.
In Kerala, Parshu-Raam is believed to have imparted similar training to Swami Ayyappa, the lord of Shabrimala, and developed the martial art of Kalaripayattu along with Rishi Agastya. His influence though is not restricted to great personalities of the past. He is still believed to reside on earth, awaiting the arrival of Kalki, the tenth avatar of Lord Vishnu, who will receive training in the martial knowledge that Parshu-Raam has perfected in order to help the final incarnation of this yuga fulfill his purpose!
The mission of Parshu-Raam’s life is to help humanity find its way whenever it gets lost and the search for his birthplace has certainly helped me find my own way! I am a Man on a Mission and my aim is to never stop exploring the hidden gems of India and bringing out stories of such inspiring men from our history.
It is said that the best journeys are those that bring you back home.. come home to your roots and visit this place at least once in your lifetime.
It is said that the best journeys are those that bring you back home.. come home to your roots and visit this place at least once in your lifetime.
Come home... to The Legend of Parshu-Raam!
Available at the below links
Amazon India - https://amzn.to/3cbWqwg
Amazon International - http://amzn.to/2kbziGE
Flipkart - http://bit.ly/1TvGo0z
Amazon India - https://amzn.to/3cbWqwg
Amazon International - http://amzn.to/2kbziGE
Flipkart - http://bit.ly/1TvGo0z
