Kayavrohan Of Bhagvan Lakulish

Kayavrohan Of Bhagvan Lakulish

Way :
Ahmedabad - 147 KM

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Near this place is 'Km'van' or Kayavrohan of Bhagvan Lakulish. It is a small village but has a grand temple of Lord Shiva. This was originally the main center of the Pashupat Sect in ancient times and had an old small temple. Its 'Shivling' got destroyed in time. However, Yogi Shri Krupalanandji renovated the new temple and replaced it. It also has a Pathshala and a Yogshala, besides facilities for visitors' accommodation. The ancient Shivlinga and the panels displaying Yogamudras on the walls are worth a close look on our visit there.

Tradition and some historical sources indicate that this Kayavrohan has been one of the 68 of most revered places of pilgrimage in India. It is situated in Vadodara district of Gujarat State and has been mentioned in glorious terms in the treatises of history and religion in Gujarat as well as India. The most revered Somnath temple of Saurashtra also had the leamed Pahupat Acharyas as its luminaries. These Acharayas preached the devotion of Lord Shiva not for a generation or two only but constantly for 1500 years. The 'Kashaydhvaj', the distinct flag, that flies on innumerable Shiva temples in every nook and comer of India today still declare the pure devotion of these Acharyas of Pashupat sect.

How powerful was the preaching of Shiva devotion for all those centuries can be seen from the a place called 'Ling thali bing Thali', about 3 miles from Kayavrohana. The sculptors of this place used to work on Sahasralinga of Lord Shiva, while the Pashupatacharyas built new Shiva temples all over India. The period of the Pashupats is that of spread of devotion to Lord Shiva.

Thus, Kayavarohan is the great center of pilgIimage for devotees of Shiva. Although it is not considered among the Twelve Jyotirlingas, it is indeed the Thirteenth Jyotirlinga, for the Pashupat Acharyas of this place were the ones to manage the Dwadash Jyotirlingas anyway. One may say that it was indeed the headquarters of the Jyotirlingas. It was also considered a 'Sidhdha-pith'. In the time of Bhagvan Lakulish these Acharyas were provided the training of Yoga and were initiated or given the Diksha in it too. For many years they would study at the feet of the Guru and undertake Yogasadhana. When they were ready, ShIi Guru would ask them to spread the devotion to Lord Shiva in different parts of the country. In ancient times, this place was called 'Lodhi Kashi' or 'Dakshin Kashi' i.e. the Kashi in south', a center of learning, equivalent to kashi or Varanasi.

Bhagvan Lakulish had 4 very bright disciples. As Bhagvan Lakulish immersed his earthly body into the Shivlinga of Brahmeshvar Jyotirling, this place came to be called 'Kayavrohan'. His four distinguished disciples, Kaushik, Gargya, Mitra and Kaurushya went to spread his word in central India. They gathered all the worshippers of Lord Shiva here and greatly increased the devotion to Shiva. They also began to teach the Yogasanas and spread the message of Patanjali's 'Yogasutra'.

The temple built recently at the expense of Rs. 30 lakhs is a grand edifice and is sUlToundedby green gardens. It houses the ancient if eroded Shivlinga of the ancient temple. Brahma is place under the temple as residing in 'Patal', Vishnu on Earth, and the grand and ancient Shivlinga as in the Heavens. Besides the sUlTounding gardens, there are colored fountains, grand Gate for entry, guesthouse, Annapurna Griha that caters food for the visitors, and other facilities for lodging and boarding for those who come as pilgIims or as touIists. On all sides of the temple are b-eautiful sculptures of Yaksha nd Yakshini and gods and goddesses. The 'Lakulish Vidyalaya' alTanges Yoga and Pranayam workshops every now and then. This is the birthplace of the 28th Avatar of Lord Shiva as Bhagvan Lakulish. At the time of the 'Samadhi' of Yogacharya Swami Shri Kripalanandji revealed it and thus its original name as 'Kayavraohan' came to light.