It is the time of the year again when piety deifies the air, lending it with a divine glow. In addition, rains and the cool breeze soothe the lacerated souls who, taking some time off  the routine humdrum, devote to the deity of the nature, lord Shiva. During this season of fasting in Shrawan month, the temple Dakshin Kali Peeth bears special attraction for the visitors with its seer Kailashanand Brahmchari being engaged in Rudrabhishek, offering milk and other aromatic essences to Shivalinga, the symbol of perennial creativity, for hours together and breaking his silence barely for an hour during the day.

While the seer performs, the devotees sit silent, soaked, as it were, in the transcendental ambience of the  surroundings. This year Shivaratri falling on Monday was doubly auspicious and on the special occasion, The  Pioneer spoke to the seer on the importance of the day.

Nestled amidst the ranges of the Neel Parwat is a temple dedicated to Goddess Kali established in 1219 by Yogiraj Kamraj who went to the Himalayas after giving initiation to Bama Khepa of the famed Tarapeeth shrine in Bengal, and further to Alha, Rani Machla and Totapuri. Mention worthy, Totapuri was the saint  who initiated Ramakrishna Paramhansa, the  Guru of Swami Vivekananda, in the realm of Tantras.  

The present head of this legendary temple Kailashanand Brahmchari is known for his long -stretched rituals to appease lord Shiva in the holy month of Shrawan, the monsoon month, as per the Hindu calendar. The god of rain rejuvenates nature at this time. looking from the temple over the Neeldhara stretch of Ganga on the other side, one sees the vast verdure of Mansa Devi temple

hills.

The clouds descending over the hills offer a picturesque view to the tiring eyes of the tourists rendering a soothing effect. Moreover,  adjacent to this temple goes the pilgrim’s mountainous trail to the Chandi Devi temple, imparting an encompassing holy ambience to the temple.

Speaking to The Pioneer, Kailashanand Brahmchari said, “With the Shrawan month begins the auspicious Chaturmas (period  of four months) when lord Vishnu goes into hibernation, leaving the  command of the universe to lord Shiva.

Due to the bountiful rains, the whole earth bears a verdure robe which is deemed dear to lord Shiva. We appease the lord offering water fetched from the holy Ganga and mixed with cow’s milk and panch gavya like ghee, curd and honey and sugar with the chanting of mantras.”

He further said that as per the legend, during the churning of the ocean by the Devas and Asuras (demons), halaahal (deadly poison) was one of the 14 Ratnas (precious gems) which emerged. With no one coming forward to take this poison, lord Shiva stored the poison in his throat to save the animate and inanimate entities peopling the universe.

Since then started the tradition of offering water to the lord to dilute the effect of the poison. As Shrawan month is most dear to the lord when  the Ganga descended down the earth from heaven through his matted locks, tradition of offering Ganga jal on the Shiva linga has been enduring through millennia.

The ashram of Kali Peeth has a long tradition of making “Kheer Prasad”, made of rice and milk with butter and dry fruits, which is loved by the devotees who come from far and near.

Tasting the pious ‘Prashad’, a ten- year- old from Bareilley of Uttar Pradesh, Rahul Dev said, “My parents come for taking blessings from Swamiji every year and I am happy  partaking  the  holy Prashad. I have never tasted such delicious Kheer anywhere before.” The boy’s  admission  brought smiles on all who were present in the temple  to view  the Shivratri puja.

Notably, the seer has visited the sacred mount Kailash Mansarovar nine times. However,   he said he would rest after he ascends it   for his   21st pilgrimage. “This is the  target I have before  myself and I would fulfill it,” he  said confidently. 

Kailashanand was honoured with the title “Mahamandaleshwar 1008” (the most coveted  among the Akhara seers) unanimously  following consent that emerged  from all  the 13 akharas on 14 February in 2013 when the Kumbh Mela was on in  Allahabad. The seer had been the secretary Ardh Kumbh for 17 years. He belongs to the Agni Akhara lineage.