RUPAL VILLAGE
A place of pilgrimage – "MAA VARDAYINI."
This holy place is situated only about 13. km.
From Ganthingar, the capital city of Gujarat. It is believed that the
construction and creation of this MAA Temple might have been caried out
for several times in past. However MAA VARDAYINI in her daity form, has
been always present here since the inception of the universe. Outof
from her Nine-daity forms she, in her celibacy [the second swaroop]Form,
riding on a swan, shines over here. [Reference is found from page
Number 10 of shri v.m]
Dnring the years ago, the eminent scholars of
village Rupal, prepared a literary composition on the Glory of MAA
Vardayini, naming-"shri vardayini Mahatmya" The volume of this book was
based on their profound study, research and interest in religious books.
That book of Glory became totally out of print and was not available
anywhere. The only print which was preserved witn the ancestors of those
scholars, was obtained in torn condition. And arrangements were made to
reprint the Glory book of MAA with a view to put it before the
credulous people.
During the initial ages of the universe, there
lived a ,very strong and Dangerous demon called "Doormad", at this
place. He started to destruct, the well created universe by the Brahma
and harresed the Brahma in very crual manner. The Brahma got upset and
became unhappy. He went to MAA VARADAYINI, surrendered politely and
prayed her, like son, for the protection against the demon.MAA
VARDAYINI welcame the Brahma as her son and breast fed him with
assurance to protect agaiust the Devil. There was a fatal battle between
MAA and the demon "Durmad." MAA Faught very ferociously and conqurred
the Demon. She killed him. As her clothes were bloodsheded during this
killings , she herself washed them and took a fresh bath in a lake
called "Mansarovar" which she created out of her wish. MAA was very mueh
pleased and decided to stay here at Rupal.[Refpage "shri V.M-BOOK- 90
and 97]
Note: As on today also the water in the
Mansarovar at Rupal, washes away the stains of 'Ghee' on the clothes,
durina the day of'palli'.
During TRETA AGE, According to our Epic Ramayana, lord Rama accepted to
leave for forest, only to obey the orders from his father. Lord Rama
during that period also had worshiped MAA VARDAYINI with due respect and
honour, under the advice of the great sage 'Shri Shrungi'. Rama offered
this 'pooja' along with Sita and Larmana, after, he met brother Bharat.
MAA VARDAYINI was very much pleased and adorned lord Rama with her
bleesings, giving one Divine ARROW WEAPON [BANA]. This efficacious
weapon than beeame instrumental to kill 'Ravana.' [Ref Pege
116,117,119,120 of Book shri.v.m] by lord Rama.
Accordingly, during DWAPAR AGE, the
Pandavas had to remain as unidentified for a year after living in forest
for 12 years. This was a precondtion, while playiug chessgamble with
Kaurava. Kaurava defeted the Pandava in the gambling and drove them away
to the forest. On completion of 12 years stay in the forest, they had
to keep themselves. Unidentified for one year. If they failed to do so
,the vicious circle of that penalty was to continue. Twelve years of
stay in the forest was easily enjoyed by them in the company of saints
and sages, however, the critical period to pass safely,was for one year.
Dharmraja,the senior of Pandavas was very strict follower of the
truth, it was therefore very difficult for him to remain unidetified for
a period of one year. Pandva therefor thougt it proper to take advice
from sage "Dhaumya". Saint Dhaumya instructed them to take shelter at
MAA VARDAYINI`S shrine, which was situated at a short distance of
[6kosh] from Ashram of sage "Dadhichimuni". Paudavas arivved there and
worshiped MAA Vardayini and requested for her blessings. MAA was pleased
very much. She suggested them to hide all their clothes, weapons and
aramaments etc on a tree called khijada or 'Varkhada' and thereafter to
proceed towards Viratnagar [today`s Dholka] in disguise. MAA also
assured them witn her blessing, and told "Nobody will be able to
identify you, during the peiod of one year. You will be victorious
during the cruzed of "Mahbharat."
Accordingly, Pandavas were protected under disguise
and also they defeated Kauravas in Mahabharat war. After the great
victory, they, along witn Lord Shrikrishna, Draupadi and their entire
army visited Rupal on 9th day during month of Asho, first fortnight.
They prepared a LampChariot [palli] out of pure Gold for "MAA
VARDAYINI". That palli was prepared in five sections. Dharma Raja, the
senior brother lighted the first lamp in the central part of the palli.
Bhima , Arjun and Sahadova lighted other lamps at north east , south
east north west and south west section, respectively. That lampchariot
[palli] was taken out tor procession throughout the villoge Rupal. The
panchaBali [Five types of sacrifice] Yadnya was performed at the
templeplace, and thereafter the journey procession ceremony started.
Which till today is regularly and constantly being celebrated everg year
on niuth day of Asho.
The entire village , since the early morniug of 9th
Asho, sails on the ocean of joy and enthusiasm. Preparations for palli
fair and for Lamp-chariot procession are on from dusk to dawn. The
entire Rupal village and the people of all the caste and creed
contribute their honoarary serivices for this procession,joyfully and
without any descrimination of Religion and caste. Members of Harijan
family offer their services to cut the khijado tree for the palli, while
the Car-paiuter get involed in carving out the chariot from it. Members
of Barber family and the Potters family start other outfittingswork on
the palli. The FlowerVendors and Gardners become busy to decorate the
palli–chariot with beautyful flowers and flower garlands. The
CottonCarder brings cotton for the lamps. Family members from Pancholis
are ready to cook khichadi, about 25 kills quantity for the sacrifice
before MAA. The Trivedis are ready to recite holy mantras for performing
the pooja,Thereafter,the Lampchariot [palli] pull out for pocession
respectfuly by the Patels. They activate the flames in the lamp.pot and
perform pooja Arti to the chariot [palli] The procession gets started
and the Chawda Brothers are heading the palli with nacked swards in
their hands. They are the guards,traditionally appointed for the safty
of procession and the palli. During the ceremony these chawda guards are
walking backstep, keeping their swards ready and open for proteetion to
palli till the parocession ends. The Barber youth keep on walkiug ahead
the procession with burning torch [masals]
This Lamp-chariot enroutes throughout the
village Rupal and get honoured at 27places of the Various, streets in
the village. The procession for time being stops for a while, at these
selected place, where thousauds of devotees offer lakhs of killos Ghee
in the burning open lamps of the palli. Throughout whole night, the
palli procession complete the round in the village and returns to the
Mai temple in the nextday morning. Arti and pooja are offered before the
palli and it is then to be kept at the palliMandir place. This
celebration is perfectly secular in all respect. Hindus and muslim
citizen are taking active part in the ceremony.
During KALIYUG AGE, the king of Patan, Shri
Siddharaj Jaysinh used to neglect king Yashovarma of Malwa teritory. He
maintained enimity and taken a vow to defeat and destroy him. For
fufilling the oath, he took an improper decision to observe fast till
his wishes could not be met. He started for Malwa along with his army,
to attack king Yashovarma. But on the way he became very feble and weak
due to the hunger. He camped at the Campus of Maa temple, for some rest.
He was confused for the hasty and foolish oath he had taken. He got
asleep in the illusory staus of mind. Maa appeared in his dream and
suggested him the solution " prepare a model fort of Malwa, out of
cowdung , in the morning , project an idol of your enemy. Making it out
of flour of 'urad' and then destroy the fort as well as the idol of your
enemy. Your oath will stand fulfilled and you can have your food. You
may afterwards take an attack to real Malwafort. My blessings are writh
you. You will be victorious, in the war." King Siddharaj followed the
orders as per the dream, and everything happened ascording to the order
from MAA. King Yashovarma was defeated and killed. In celebratio of
victory, King Siddharaj arrived at Rupal and offered great pooja after
reconstructing MAA temple. A new idol of MAA Vardayini was installed
with great respect and regards. MAA appeared in her divine form, under a
Baniyan Tree and gave 'Darshan' to King Siddharaj. Therefore MAA is
also known as 'VADECHI MAA' amoug her devotees.
The story of glory for MAA Vardayini is narrated here as per book written by the schoolars of Rupal.
