Pilgrimages and Temples of Sri Parashurama

Introduction:

Sri Parashurama is the 6th incarnation among the ten major incarnations of Lord Vishnu (Dasavataras) who are widely remembered and quoted. Lord Narasimha is the 16th incarnation among the series of incarnations of Lord Vishnu mentioned in the Srimad Bhagavatam. The major purpose of the incarnation of Sri Parashurama was to vanquish the kshatriya kings who were oppressing the brahmanas.

Sri Parashurama was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu with an Axe (Parashu) in hand which had instilled fear among the kshatriya kings. The duty of the brahmanas was to establish the divine order in the society. The sages and other brahmanas were thus near to God for carrying out the work of God. Whenever the sages and brahmanas were oppressed and tormented in order to put an end to the divine order carried out by them, the Lord intervened and again established the divine order. This happened again and again. When Kartavirya Arjuna and other kings started disrespecting the brahmanas and oppressed them, the Lord incarnated as a brahmana with axe in hand. Lord Shiva provided the axe and the mission to destroy the kshatriyas and establish Dharma in society was carried by Sri Parashurama.

Many incarnations of Lord like Sri Rama and Sri Krishna cleansed the society of demons who were oppressing the brahmananas. Sri Parashurama cleansed the society of human beings who were oppressing the brahmananas. Sri Parashurama displayed great valour. He waged war against the kshatriya kings 21 times, facing their armies in combat single-handedly.

After completing his mission, Sri Parashurama mostly adopted the life of penance and meditation, although he taught some eminent warriors in the science of warfare during the time of Mahabharata.

This article classifies the Pilgrimages of Sri Parashurama into the following groups:

(1) Pilgrimages related to the Life of Sri Parashurama

(2) Other famous Pilgrimages of Sri Parashurama

(1) Pilgrimages related to the Life of Sri Parashurama:

• Janapav:

• Sri Parashurama was the son of sage Jamadagni and Devi Renuka and incarnated in the Jamadagni Ashrama:
(Brahmanda Purana - 21 to 47)

► Janapav (Janapav Kuti)
(Indore district, Madhya Pradesh)

☗ Janapav Hill
▘ Parashuram Kund
(Malwa Plateau)

(Brahmanda Purana)

- Sri Parashurama incarnated in the Jamadagni Ashrama. Janapav is identified with the place of Jamadagni Ashrama.

• Maheshwar:

• Sri Parashurama came to Mahishmati several times to wage war against the kshatriyas (Kartavirya Arjuna and his descendants). Sri Parashurama bathed in river Narmada in Mahishmati:
(Brahmanda Purana - 21 to 47)

► Maheshwar
(Khargone district, Madhya Pradesh)

▬ River Narmada flows → Narmada Ghat (Aarti)
(Vindhya - Satpura Range)

(Brahmanda Purana) (About Sri Parashurama)

- Sri Parashurama came to Mahishmati several times to wage war against the kshatriyas (Kartavirya Arjuna and his descendants).

• Mahendragiri:

• Sri Parashurama performed penance in Mahendragiri to expiate the sin of killing Kartavirya Arjuna and the kshatriyas and remains there till today:
(Brahmanda Purana - 21 to 47)

► Mahendragiri
(Gajapati district, Odisha)

☗ Mahendragiri Parvat
☗ Arjuna Temple peak
☗ Bhima Temple peak
☗ Jagannath Temple peak
(Odisha Highlands)
(Brahmanda Purana) (About Sri Parashurama)

- Sri Parashurama performed penance in Mahendragiri to expiate the sin of killing Kartavirya Arjuna and the kshatriyas. Sri Parashurama stays even today in Mahendragiri and performs penance.

• Kurukshetra:

• Sri Parashurama offered libations with the blood of kings at Kurukshetra (Samanta Panchaka):
(Brahmanda Purana - 21 to 47)

► Kurukshetra (Shakti Peetha)
(Kurukshetra district, Haryana)

◼ Brahma Sarovar
◼ Sannihit Sarovar
(Punjab Plain)

(Mahabharata)
(Peetha Nirnaya Tantra)

- Sri Parashurama offered libations with the blood of kings at Kurukshetra. In the Mahabharata the place is mentioned as Samanta Panchaka.

• Gaya:

• Sri Parashurama offered libations to Pitris at Gaya:
(Brahmanda Purana - 21 to 47)

► Gaya (Ashta Dasha Shakti Peetha)
(Gaya district, Bihar)

☗ Bhashmakuta Hill → Janardhana, Mangal-Gauri Temple
☗ Ramashila Hill → Rama Temple, Rama Kund
☗ Pretashila Hill → Brahma Kund
☗ Brahmayoni Hill → Brahma Temple, Brahma Kund
☗ Prabhasa Hill (Rama Gaya Pahar)
☗ Gridhrakuta Hill
☗ Naga Hill
▬ River Phalgu flows
☘ Akshaya Vata
☘ Bodhi Tree
(Bihar Uplands)

(Vayu Purana)

- Sri Parashurama offered libations to Pitris at Gaya.

• Siddhpur:

► Siddhpur (Pancha Sarovar)
(Patan district, Gujarat)

◼ Bindu Sarovar
▬ River Saraswati flows (hidden form)
(Gujarat Plain)

(Srimad Bhagavatam)

- Sri Parashurama is said to have performed Matru Shraddha (for decapitating mother Renuka) after bathing in Bindu Sarovara. So Siddhpur is also known as Matru Gaya.

(2) Other famous Pilgrimages of Sri Parashurama:

Sri Parashurama:

• Stotras of Sri Parashurama

• Deeds of Sri Parashurama

• Scriptures of Sri Parashurama

• Pilgrimages of Sri Parashurama

• Festivals of Sri Parashurama

Bharatavarsha - The Land of Gods and Sages:

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• Scriptures

• Pilgrimages - by Groups - by Deities - by States - by Geography

• Sacred Geography - Mountains - Rivers

• Festivals

• Sages - Hermitages - Penances

• Saints - Ramakrishna - Vivekananda - Ramana

• Sadhana

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• Arts and Sciences

• Bharatavarsha - Puranic History - Puranic Lineage