SHRINGI RISHI

Shringi Rishi was the legendary Indian Hindu saint or Rishi of sage Kashyapa's lineage. Shringi Rishi was great saint of the Ramayan era of ancient India. His father was great saint Vibhandak Rishi.Shringi Rishi performed 'Putrakameshti Yajya' for King Dashrath of Ayodhya, after that Lord Rama and his three brothers were born. There is an ashram of Shringi Rishi situated at Ayodhya on the banks of Sarayu river near Laxman Ghat.Legend has it that Shringi Rishi cursed King Parikshit for his sinful conduct against rishi Lomash. The boons and curse uttered by him were proved to be absolutely true. Rishi Shringi was a distinguished expert of the super science of mantras. A temple of Shringi Rishi, is also located at Banjar in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, in whose honour a fair is held every year in May.Shringi Rishi is the ruling deity of Banjar valley. Here rishi is popularely known as Skirni Deo. Skirni Deo is thought to be the king of Kaliyuga. A wooden temple of Shringi Rishi is located at Skiran (12000 feets),where pindi of Shringi and Bhagvati Shanta is established. In 2008, this temple has beeen reconstructed after 60 years.Shringi rishi is one of the ancient deity of Kullu valley, also included among atthara kardoo (eighteen chief deities of Kullu). Here rishi used to trevel whole valley after certain interval of time. Some of the tours are trips to Rakti sar, Dhol Garh, Hamta , Malana, Panch Kothi doura and Lambti doora.Each trip is followed by one and another in the regular interval of 12-18 years.Each trip lasts for about one month or so, though Dhol Garh trip usually lasts for three and half months. Devatas (In Kullu, there are about more then 600 palanquines of gods called rath) from the whole valley used to come and meet Shringi rishi whenever there is sevre drought in the area. cave is also located in district Sirmaur near Nahan in Bagthan where he is supposed to have stayed. It is a long cave where he is supposed to do yagna and worth seeing.

Sikhwal (also known as Sukhwal, Shringi) are one of the prominent Brahmin sects of Rajasthani Brahmins who trace their origin from the great sage Rishi Shringi (or Rishi Shring). Rishi Shringi was the son of Sage Vibhandak, himself a highly respected Vedic scholar of Kashyaap linage. Rishi Shringi is credited in Indian mythology as the inventor of ‘Putrakameshti Yagna’, the Vedic sacrifice for begetting a male progeny. This first ever Putrakameshti Yagna was performed by Rishi Shringi for the Suryawanshi Emperor Dashrath of Ayodhya (of Ikshavaku lineage) and the outcome of this Yagna was the birth of Lord Rama, the great Indian God-king and revered ‘Avtaar’ (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu, the powerful god in the holy Hindu trinity of Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh. Lord Rama was born with the blessings of the Gods who were appeased by Rishi Shringi with powerful mantras. Three more sons were born to Dashrath besides Rama (born to his eldest Queen, Devi Kaushlya) Laxman, Bharat and Shatrughna born to Devi Sumitra and Devi Kaikayee, the other two Queens of Emperor Dashrath.

The Yagna was an elaborate affair spreading over twelve days and was performed with much fanfare befitting its uniqueness. The legend has it that Emperor Dashrath’s only Sister, the beautiful young Princess Shanta, who was actively involved in the organizing of the Yagna, fell in love with the handsome and scholarly young sage Shringi. Her brother, Emperor Dashrath understood her feelings and on the occasion of ‘Poornaahuti’ (final sacrifice offered to gods, announcing the completion of Yagna process) proposed royal princess Shanta’s hand in marriage to Rishi Shringi. They were married and had eight sons and many daughters. All the sons born out of the alliance were highly respected for their knowledge of the holy Vedas and involved themselves in scholarly pursuits. Their descendants were later organized into the sub-sect of Brahmins, called Sikhwal Brahmins (also known as Sukhwal, Shringi Brahmins)

Though Rishi Shringi was a Brahmin and Princess Shanta was born to Suryawanshi Kshatriya family, such alliances were not very uncommon in the era as both Brahmins and Kshatriya communities represented the elite class of the Hindu society. Cities of Madya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh Jhansi,Lalitpur,Bhopal,Jabalpur and many villages of these states like Khurai,Bina,Dhaura,Burogon,Khiria,Kalyanpura,Mohara,Baruasagar,Sagar,Damoh,Sihora,Ramnagar,Sinonia,Rampura etc.

Cities of Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota and Udaipur and many other places in Rajasthan, Kolkota in West Bengal, Hyderabad and Vijaywada in Andhra Pradesh, Mumbai, Nasik, Jalgaon, Akola, Amravati, Latur and other places in Maharashtra have a significant presence of Sikhwal Brahmin population. Today, the Sikhwals are spread all over India and also in USA and Europe.

Other prominent Rajasthani Brahmin sub-sects are Gaur, Gujar-Gaur, Daima (also called Dayama or Dadeech), Pareek, Khandelwal (not to be confused with the ‘Vaisha’ community of the same name) and Saraswat Brahmins.

In Rajasthan the other five castes i.e. Guar, Gujar-Gaur, Daima, Pareek and Khandelwal [not vaisha] together form Chh-Nyatee Bhai. Though they do not marry among themselves, but share a strong social bonding and invite each other on all auspicious occasions. In Pushkar near Ajmer in state of Rajasthan, India, Sikhwal Brahmins have an inn and a temple dedicated to Shringi Rishi.

Shringi Rishi, Banjar , the Valley of  Hermits-

Historically, the area plays an important role in the birth of Lord Rama (the most famous incarnation of God). According to the legends associated with Ramayana ‘Kal’, it was a privilege of Rishi Shringi, from the Banjar valley, who’s Ashram was at Chehni, to act as Purohit (sage) at the ‘Putreshtiyajna’ of Raja Dashratha during the age of Satyug (The Golden age). As a result of the actions and prayers by the Rishi, God Rama was born. Throughout the ages, particularly during Satyug, it is believed that many Rishi’s (sage’s) and Nag Devta’s came to Banjar Valley to meditate because of its peace and serenity.

As word spread of the beauty and tranquility of the region, people from far away places (Kullu, Manali, Mandi etc.) began to visit the valley. They brought with them, their goats and sheep to graze. Slowly, as people realized the valley could offer them all that they needed, they began to settle in the area. During the initial period when people began to populate the region, the rulers were the ‘Maraich’ people, who were reputed to be over 3 meters in height. Later, the region came under the control of the Thakur’s (an Indian feudal and colonial title in Hindi), and then under the rule of the King of Kullu. With the various changes in leadership, the administrative center for the region has shifted over the ages. At first, the tehsil headquarters were located in Palach, and then shifted to Banjar.

During the rule of the King of Kullu, Chehni was his summer capital. Finally, under the British rule, the area was first made easily accessible with the construction of State Highway 11 (in 1916-1917).The Banjar Valley begins at the junction, National Highway 21 and State Highway 11, in the town of Aut, and ends at Jalori Pass. State Highway 11 follows the valley from Aut, and then continues beyond Jalori Pass towards Narkanda, Shimla and Kinnar Kailash, thereby connecting the Sainj and Tirthan Valley with BanjarValley.

Chehni Fort at Chehni village is approximately 1500 years old (as per many stories) and offers breathtaking views of the mountain-valley around. The Fort rises up to 11 levels high into the air and one should be very careful while climbing up (Not Recommended), as it not safe. The fort also has a 400 meter tunnel (now closed) and aBhagvati Temple  on one of the upper storeys.

The Shringi Rishi Temple at Bagi, which has a large statue of Rishi Shringi and intricate wood carvings depicting 24 different births of God. (Rama, Krishna, Narsimhan, Barah, etc.)

Sakiran Dhar (Ridge)

The Sakiran (Dhar) ridge leading to Lambhari offers beautiful views of the Himalayan range. At Sakiran there is an old Shringa Rishi Temple(Shrignga Rishi has many followers in the villagers). The area offers good camping in the fields or in many caves. There are also wild fruits available during the summer months.

Lambhari - At 3475meters

Offers the best view of the Himalayas along with the beautiful views of the Himalayan range around. The peak offers two distinct faces, one of which, will make you think that you are walking on the moon. This is an excellent area for camping in the solitude of nature. Additionally, there is an abundance of effective Ayurvedic/Naturopathic medicines to be found growing in the area including Kauri, Patish, Losar, Talshi, Chunkhari, Tangul and Dhupnu. The area has crystal caves and is full of wild animals and birds.

Sage Rishyashringa Temple near Shringari Peeth at Kigga

Sringeri is hallowed for all times by the ancient legend of the sage Sri Rishyasringa. Sage Vibhandaka, by a curious combination of circumstances, became the father of a child, with a horn in the forehead, born of a deer. He found himself responsible for the proper upbringing of the child, whom he named as Rishyasringa. He thought that the easiest way to keep his son innocent of the worldly ways was to keep him in forest isolation. He succeeded to such an extent that when the boy matured into manhood, he had never set eyes on any human being other than his own father. He was even unaware of sexual distinction.

It so chanced that a neighbouring kingdom, which was then ruled by a king named Romapada, suffered from a severe drought. The king was advised by his ministers that there would be rains if sage Rishyasringa, blessed his kingdom with the touch of his holy feet. Romapada sent a number of fair damsels to the forest to bring the sage. They were however afraid of sage Vibhandaka, and so approached the hermitage when he was absent. King Romapada, learning that the boy-sage had started from his hermitage, waited to receive him at the frontiers of his kingdom. The instant the holy sage stepped on the soil, the heavens opened up and poured-down life giving showers. The king, thankful for the favour conferred on him, showed his gratitude by offering the hand of his daughter, Santha, in marriage to the sage. Rishyasringa accepted her as his wife and remained in the king’s palace as an honoured guest for sometime. Later Sage ruled over Anga for many years and finally left to forest to regain his ascetic powers.

King Dasharatha officiated by Sage Rishyashringa

It was during this period that Dasaratha, King of Ayodhya, invited him to officiate in the yaga named Putrakameshti, by which he was blessed with four sons, Sri Rama and others. Sage Rishyasringa felt that his married life was not without its merits. It gave him an opportunity to usher into this world Sri Rama, the personification of Dharma.

Yet he felt himself called back to his native forest with its holy atmosphere. He retired to the forest to spend the remainder of his life in divine contemplation. When he shuffled off his mortal coil, a lightning issued forth from his body and disappeared into the Linga he was worshipping as a symbol of formless Absolute.

The Shiva-Linga of Sage Rishyashringa at Kigga

This Linga can be seen even now in the temple at Kigga, a village about 10 Km from Sringeri. Unlike others, this Linga is invested with a horn on its head, to commemorate the merger of the sage

Rishyasringa. The Linga that was worshipped by the sage Vibhandaka and into which he himself disappeared in the end is on the summit of a hillock. This is situated in the centre of Sringeri. The Linga is known as Malahanikareshwara (destroyer of the impurities of the Jiva) and is worshipped even today.

The Story of Rishyashringa in Ramayana

King Dasaratha decides to perform an Ashvamedha Yaga to have a son. The decision is welcomed by the sages and they all proceeded to make the necessary arrangements of the yaga. Sumantra, the charioteer, then reminds King Dasaratha of something he has heard from elders and narrates the story of Rishyashringa. Sage Santkumara while discussing about future events had predicted about the birth of a great son to King Dasaratha. Sage Kashyapa had a son named Vibhandaka. Santkumara predicted that Vibhandaka will be the father of Rishyashringa. The birth and life of Rishyashringa will be mysterious. Rishyashringa will live in the forest cut off from other human beings. His only contact will be his father. When he reaches teenage, Anga, a nearby kingdom, will be ruled by Romapada. Kingdom of Anga is in terrible famine due to a curse and only way to get rid of the curse is to bring Rishyashringa and get him married to Romapada’s daughter Shanta. But no one will be willing to take the journey to forest to bring Rishyashringa fearing the wrath of Vibhandaka. Finally, courtesans will be venture into forest and lure Rishyashringa into Anga. He will then marry Shanta and rule Anga. Later, Rishyashringa will preside over a famous yajna which will beget King Dasaratha sons. Sumantra then requests King Dasaratha to discuss the matter with Sage Vasishtha and others. The sages were too happy to have Rishyashringa preside over the Ashvamedha Yaga. When the Ashvamedha yaga was drawing to a close, King Dasaratha requests Rishyashringa to perform Putrakama yajna to beget a son. When the yajna was drawing to a close, a divine form appeared on the yajna fire and handed over a golden bowl with ‘payasa’ (sweet) to King Dasaratha. The king distributed the sweet to his three queens and a year later they gave birth to four sons – Lord Ram, Lakshman, Bharatha and Shatrughna. Thus sage Rishyashringa played a major role in the birth of Lord Ram.