This is not from Ripley’s Believe It or Not

Photographs of Lord BhavaniShankar, the presiding deity of Shri Chitrapur Math, Srivalli, found in the ancient ruins of RudraMahalaya, the magnificent Temple of Lord Shiva at Sidhpur  -

Photographs: Hemant Kaikini.

Rudra Mahalaya a massive Shiva Temple at Sidhpur (Yatris would be visiting Sidhpur during Prabhas Teerth Somnath Saraswati Yatra on 27^th January 2009), was built more than a 1000 years ago. King Mulraj of the Solanki dynasty started its construction in 983 AD and was completed by King Jaisingh Sidhraj!

When Rudra Mahalaya was standing in all its glory it is believed that it rested on 1600 pillars and had 12 entrance doors and covered almost half of the total area of Sidhpur. The eastern gate was adorned with beautifully carved 'Toran', with a flight of steps leading to the Saraswati River. The unique geographical feature of the Saraswati stream turning eastwards lends special sanctity to this place.

Ulugh Khan and later Ahmed Shah of Ahmedabad ruthlessly destroyed this magnificent Shiva Temple, in the late 13th century or early 14th century. The cells on the surrounding walls were converted in to a mosque.

Today (18^th August 2008) the Core Team of PTSSY from Ahmedabad Sabha, along with Gen. Prakash Gokarn, Maheshmam Kalyanpur of the Tercentenary Committee and Vivek Kallianpur (Bangalore) were on a Pilot Trip to this place and what we saw amazed all!

Rudra Mahalaya is in the itinerary of the Prabhas Teerth Somnath Saraswati Yatra and the Yatris are scheduled to visit Sidhpur on 27^th January 2008.

Rudra Mahalaya is under the Archeological Society of India and is closed to the general public. When we reached there the security person was fast asleep (at 1.30 pm!) and we miraculously could get unhindered entry.

No sooner we reached one of the Shiva Linga, Nagdevata gave an exquisite darshan to Maheshmam Kalyanpur.

He excitedly called all of us, but before we reached, Nagdevata had disappeared. Possibly he wanted to give darshan only to Maheshmam.

And what we saw next amongst these ruins was something amazing and unbelievable – it left us dumbfounded! It was a beautiful but slightly mutilated marble statue of Lord Bhavanishankar about 2.5 feet tall. Truly a feast for our eyes and our spirits! And please do remember - Rudra Mahalaya is over a thousand years old!

Were our forefathers great travelers? Did some of our ancestors migrate to Gujarat? Do we have our roots in Gujarat? Well at least I do not have the answers to these questions which come to my mind.

But personally I would like to believe that Lord Bhavanishankar is showering His blessings on Chitrapur Saraswats during the Tercentenary Year!

Vivek Hattangadi18^th August 2008