Parashar Rishi Temple

Pathardi, Taluka Mehkar, District Buldana

There are seven temples of the Saptarishis (seven sages) in the Mehkar taluka of Buldana district. This is considered a unique feature of Buldana district. All these temples are ancient and are situated in hilly regions. There are natural perennial water springs near all these temples. These include the Vashistha Rishi temple at Vadali, Bakdalbhya Rishi temple at Delap, Gautam Rishi temple at Gomedhar, Valmi Rishi temple at Varvand, Parashar Rishi temple at Pathardi, Durvas Rishi temple at Durgbori, and Vishwamitra Rishi temple at Vishwi. Among these, the ancient Shiva Linga consecrated by Parashar Rishi, the author of the ‘Vishnu Purana’, is located at Pathardi in Mehkar taluka.

According to references in the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata, Parashar was born as the grandson of Vashistha Rishi, one of the Saptarishis, and the son of Rishi Shakti. Unfortunately, due to his father’s death before his birth, he was filled with rage and began the ‘Rakshasa-Satra’ Yajna to destroy the demons; however, at the request of his grandfather Vashistha and Pulastya Rishi, he ceased this violence. In return for this forgiveness, he received the divine knowledge of the ‘Purana Samhita’ as a boon from Pulastya Rishi, which led to him being recognized as a great sage thereafter.

A very important event in the life of Parashar Rishi was his association with Satyavati. As mentioned in the Devi Bhagavata Purana, he met Matsyagandha (Satyavati) on the banks of the Yamuna River, and from their union, the author of the Mahabharata, Maharishi Vedavyasa, was born. Parashar Rishi was also a great author. He is the primary narrator of the ‘Vishnu Purana’, which is considered the most authoritative among the eighteen Puranas. When his disciple ‘Maitreya’ asked him questions about the origin of the universe, the answers given by Parashar are what is known as the ‘Vishnu Purana’. In this, Parashar described how the universe was created, the geography of the Earth, rivers, mountains, and the calculation of time from a highly scientific perspective. Therefore, it is believed that although Vyasa wrote the eighteen Puranas, he received the core knowledge and inspiration from his father, Parashar.

He is also renowned as a sage who combined spiritual power with science. He authored the ‘Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra’, which is the foundational text of modern Indian astrology. In it, he presented a mathematical analysis of planets and stars on human life. Notably, it is clearly stated in the Dharma Shastras, ‘Kalau Parasharah Smritah’. This means that in the Kali Yuga, only the Parashara Smriti should be considered authoritative. In Hindu religion, every person’s birth chart is prepared; it is believed that Parashar Rishi is the originator of this method. His notable works include the ‘Vishnu Purana’, ‘Parashara Samhita’, ‘Parashara Gita’, and others. It was this Parashar Rishi who performed penance in the Dandakaranya forest in the Meghankar (now Mehkar) region, situated in the Ajanta mountain range, in ancient times. At that time, he consecrated a Shiva Linga here. Later, in the twelfth-thirteenth century, a temple was built here in the Hemadpanti architectural style.

The current village of Pathardi, where this temple is located, was established by the then Forest Department during the British era, around 1940-45. This department created this village by giving land to some people of the Banjara community. It is mentioned in the ‘Central Provinces and Berar District Gazetteers – Akola District, Volume A’ that there was a village named ‘Panch Dewale’ near this village in the past. The temple of Parashar Rishi is located across the river outside the village. The temple is surrounded by hills and dense teak forests on all four sides. This temple, built in the Hemadpanti style, consists of a Mukhamandapa (entrance hall), Sabhamandapa (assembly hall), Antarala (vestibule), and three Garbhagrihas (sanctum sanctorum). Nagabandha (serpent motifs) are carved on the foundation stones of the temple, and there is some carving in the Mukhamandapa. There is an idol of Nandi in the Mukhamandapa. Various shapes are carved on the pillars standing on stone pedestals in the Sabhamandapa. Devakoshtakas (niches for deities) are carved on the walls of the Sabhamandapa. In the main Garbhagriha, there is a Shiva Pindi inside a large Shalunka. It is believed that this Shiva Pindi was established by Parashar Rishi. There is also an idol of the serpent deity in the Garbhagriha. The other two Garbhagrihas in the temple contain idols of Parashar Rishi and Shri Krishna. A Dhuni (sacred fire) burns continuously in the temple premises. There is an idol of Hanuman at a spot behind the temple. Remnants of many ancient idols are scattered in the area.

Maha Shivaratri is the main festival in this Yadava-era temple. Hanuman Jayanti and Vasubaras are also celebrated with great enthusiasm here. Before sunrise on the third Monday of the month of Shravan, hundreds of devotees perform the circumambulation (Parikrama) of the Saptarishi temples in Mehkar taluka. On the third Sunday of this month, all the pilgrims gather at the Shiva temple in Vadali at night. Around 12 midnight, after bathing under the Gomukh there and performing Jalabhishek (water offering) to Mahadeva, they begin this circumambulation with wet clothes. This circumambulation concludes after having the darshan of the Shiva Linga at the temple in Vishwi. The circumambulation is completed barefoot before sunrise on Monday.

Useful Information:

• 80 km from Mehkar
• 33 km from Buldana
• ST bus service available from Mehkar
• Private vehicles can reach the temple
• No accommodation facility in the area