Dandeshwar

My favorite temple so far… Dandeshwar, not far from the larger temple complex of Jageshwar. But much smaller. Both considered to be once the focal point of Pashupatas over a thousand years ago — roaming tantriks and sadhaks who lived with the wild, emulating Shiva in his pashupati form as lord of animals.

(In my earliest awakening remember it was the animal spirit guides that came to me first)

The call of the Devadaru haunts my being; even now as I nurture my phlegm-spewing lungs. Forcing me perhaps, to take on the healing sadhana of Shiva as Soma; coughing between mantras, hoping it still amounts to something. Much better today.

Let it be understood that the temples here were never meant to be a place of worship — you will find each ‘building’ as merely a shiva linga encased in a beautiful stone stupa; barely enough space of 1-2 persons to stand inside, much less congregate for puja. These structures were originally meant as beacons for sadhaks to amplify their sadhana practices with the energies here. Tapasya seared into stone. At Jageshwar, there was the massive twin deodar; here at Dandeshwar sitting by the stream, you will in the ‘main shrine’ find a sacred rock (swayambhu linga) — which by chance I managed to do abhishekam with my Teacher behind me. I called upon Shiva realizing that nothing and no one else would understand...

I often find myself alone in such a path; perhaps that is why this place speaks to me. There is that part of me that longs to roam free in these mountains, with just a walking stick and perhaps a tiger as companion.

Do you remember the rudraksha I received from Pashupatinath in Nepal less than a month back? It is now connected to the energies here (my Teacher helped place it on the main Shiva Linga)

I know Shiva watches over me: Danda-eshwar, he who holds the staff. Perhaps reminding us that only trees, with their roots firmly grounded in Maya and their branches reach into the Akasha… can withstand the test of time.

And dance freely in Prakriti.

I love you, my Devadaru.

S.

29/3/2023