Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

In Ramayana, there is a mention of Dandakarnya forest which is part of Saptashrungi Mountain. It is believed that Lord Rama and Devi Sita visited Dandakarnya forest and worshipped Goddess Amba. Sage Markandeya (who later came to be known as Bhakth Markandeya and composer of Devi Mahatmaym) a devotee of the Goddess Bhramari and Sage Parasher, believed to be an incarnation of Sriman Narayan, accomplished their fierce tapasya at Saptashrungi. Once a demon, or Daitya called Aruna, wanted to defeat all the Gods. He had a strange desire of not wanting to be killed by any God, any weapon, nor by any man or woman, or by any two legged or four legged creature. He medidated and prayed to Lord Brahma for thousands of years. Finally Lord Brahma pleased with his prayer granted him the boon he desired. With the blessings of Lord Brahma, the demon Aruna with other Rakshasas waged a war on the gods/ devatas to establish his supremacy on earth by conquering the Devatas. The Gods, prayed to the Mother of the Universe for help in conquering the demons. When the Goddess appeared to help the Devtaas, a swarm of black bees came out of the Devi’s body. These bees killed all the demons and thus the Gods/ devtas were saved. From then on the goddess came to be known as Bhramari Devi, or Goddess of Bees. The temple is considered as Sita Gufaa (Sita Gufaa temple complex) which is located on the western side door of Kalaram temple near Panchavati. The cave can be accessed only through a narrow passage. There is a Shiva Ling which is believed to be worshipped by Lord Rama, Lakshman and Sita during their exile. In Ramayana war, when Lakshmana was lying unconscious in the war field, Hanuman came to Saptashringi to get medicial herbs to restore his life.