he origins of Kalasa are traceable to Mythology. Although unsubstantiated, local myths attribute the origin of Kalasa to an event mentioned found in the Skanda Purana.
Accordingly, the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvathi in Himalayas caused a shift in the Earth's rotation because of the attendance of all Gods and Goddesses. To restore the Earth's balance, Lord Shiva requested Sage Agasthya
to travel South. Agasthya however, expressed his wish to witness the
wedding. Lord Shiva assured to grant divine vision to the sage, which
would enable him to witness the wedding from any part of the world.
Agasthya
travelled southward and resided in Kalasa from where he watched the
wedding. Local legends state that a pilgrimage to Kalasa brings greater
religious merit (punya) than a visit to Varanasi.
The
Girija Kalyana (marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvathi) is celebrated in
Kalasa every year to commemorate this tradition. This auspicious
occasion falls on Karthika Shuddha Ekadashi of Lunar calendar.
Other legends also state that Sage Vasishta had lived in a hermitage near Kalasa as also the Skanda Dwaya.
The word
Kalasa is a corruption of the Sanskrit root,
Kalasha, which means a
waterpot or jug. In the context of Hindu temple architecture, every temple should have a round pinnacle placed at the top, known as the
Kalasha.
Geographically,
Kalasa is surrounded by the Bhadra river on three sides with the
Duggappana Katte hill at the South. Viewed from an altitude, the town
resembles a pot, hence the name. The Kalaseshwara temple is located at
the base of this hill.
PANCHA THEERTTHAM
Kalasa
contains five major water spots, within an approximate distance of 8
Kilometres from the town. Together, these are known as
Pancha Theerthas (literally, Five Sacred Waters). Each
Theertha is associated with a myth drawn mostly from the Hindu Mythology. People offer worship at these
Theerthas as part of their pilgrimage to Kalasa.
- Vasishta Theertha--Named after Sage Vasishta
- Naga Theertha--Named in honour of the Snake God, attributable to Lord Shiva.it is believed bathing here will remove Nagashapa/Nagadosha.
- Koti Theertha--To signify koti Devatha stayed here during first Girja Kalyana celebrated to please Aghsthya.
- Rudra Theertha--Named after Lord Rudra
(Shiva)is also called Rudrapada., similar to Vishnupada of Gaya it is
believed that offering Pinda during pithru Karya is as auspious to Gaya
Shradda
- Amba Theertha-- Named after Goddess Parvati.