Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

Legend of Tripurasura - As per one legend mentioned in the Matsya Puranam and the Shiva Puranam, there were three demons by the names of Vidyunmali, Tarakaksha, and Viryavana, and together they were known as the Tripurasura. They performed Tapasya and obtained a boon from Lord Brahma. The boon was that the Gods will construct three beautiful cities, each made of gold, iron, and silver for the Asuras. All three forts together will be called Tripura. However, the prophecy said that only a single arrow can destroy the city. Demons from all over the world came and resided at the palaces. After the initial self-enjoyment, they eventually started troubling the people of the realm. They even misbehaved with Rishis and Maharishis, terrorized the common folk and eventually challenged the Gods. Therefore, Lord Indra accompanied by other Gods went to Lord Brahma to put an end to the Tripura, but Lord Brahma could not help and asked them to request Lord Shiva. Shiva obliged and the war between the Devas and the Asuras began. He also requested the help of Goddess Parvati and both of them took the form of “Ardha-Narya-Nateshwar” and descended to the Earth. To destroy the Tripura, Lord Shiva asked Vishwakarma to build a chariot. The chariot had special features. The Goddess Earth (Prithvi) became the chariot, Sun and Moon became the wheels, Lord Brahma became the Sarathi, Mount Meru became the bow, Serpent Vasuki was the bow-string and Lord Vishnu became the arrow. Just as the three cities aligned, Lord Shiva burned them to the ground. Then the Gods requested Lord Shiva to take rest there and make the place his home. Lord Shiva turned himself into a Linga and made the Bhimashankar mountains his home.