Mahisha cult not imaginary, has temple in Barkuru: Prof T Murugeshi
Udupi: "Mahisha cult is not an imaginary sect. It still thrives along the west coast. The only Mahisha temple in the country is in Barkuru, the famous capital of Tulu Rajya", said Prof T Murugeshi, retired Associate Professor at the Department of History and Archaeology in Mulki Sundar Ram Shetty College, Shirva. He was commenting on the recent controversies around 'Mahisha Darasa' in the Chamundi Hills of Mysuru, in a press release on Wednesday.
Attributing the controversies that arise during the Mysuru Dasara to the wrong understanding of the word 'Mahisha', Prof Murugeshi said that while 'Mysuru' meant a land ruled by Mahishas, the state was called Mahisha Mandala. "However, the word 'Mahisha' is wrongly understood to mean a buffalo", he stated.
"The Alupa inscriptions dating back to 8-9 AD use a word, 'Meygesha'.’Mahi' means earth. So the word 'Meygesha' means the one who is ‘Isha’ or lord to 'Mahi', the earth. Mahishi means a queen even today. So if Mahishi means queen, Mahisha should be a king, isn't it?" he questioned.
Referring to the Barkuru Mahisha temple, Prof Murugeshi said that the Mahisha sculpture there was really interesting. "With a Nandi's (bull) head and a human body, the sculpture throws light on a curious fact that the kings of Mahisha sect fought in wars with a bull mask. It is worshipped in the coastal areas as a deity of fertility", he added.
"As they opposed the expansion of the Vedic culture, the Mahisha kings became targets to the ire of the vaidikas and were called as asura kings, the demon lords. So Mahisha becomes Mahishasura. According to the puranas, Devi was called different names like Mahishamardini for killing Mahishasura, Mookambike for killing Mookasura and Chamundi for killing Chamundeshwari", he stated.
Speaking about the history of Mahishas, Prof Murugeshi explained its link to the times of Ashoka and Buddhism. "Buddhism achieved a foothold in South India due to the efforts of Emperor Ashoka. Buddhism has many branches. One of them is Mahishasika or Mahishika. This branch was popular in the Banawasi Mandala and Mahisha Mandala. Dr M S Krishnamurthy of Mysuru University found a bronze mold with a diamond symbol etched inside and the remains of a Dharma Chakra, during an excavation at Talakadu. In his opinion, Talakadu was the capital of Mahisha Mandala", he said.
Prof Murugeshi stated that the leaders of the Mahishasika or Mahishika Buddhist branch themselves ruled as Mahisha kings. "Mahisha opposed the expansion of the Vedic culture as a social and cultural ambassador of the region. That is why he is worshipped in the coast", he added.
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Agra: Teacher dies of heart attack after fraudsters' call regarding her daughter's 'sex scandal'
Agra, Oct 3: A government school teacher in Agra died due to cardiac arrest after she allegedly got a call from cyber fraudsters that her daughter was caught in a sex scandal, her family claimed on Thursday.
On September 30, the fraudsters allegedly threatened the teacher and demanded Rs one lakh to not disclose the matter, the family further said.
Talking to PTI, Deepanshu Rajput, the deceased's son said, "Mother Malti Verma (58) was a government teacher at a Junior High School in Achhnera in Agra. On September 30, she got a Whatsapp call at 12 pm in which they said that her daughter was caught in a sex scandal and began threatening her for the future consequences of revealing her daughter's identity."
The caller posed as police inspector, Rajput added.
"After that, she talked to me over phone and informed me about the call. But when I checked the phone number, I told my mother that it was a fraud call from cyber criminals," he added.
"After that I also talked to my sister and found everything normal. I asked my mother not to worry because she was a victim of cyber fraud, but she could not control her tension and her health deteriorated after that call," he added.
"As she returned home after school, she also complained of chest pain and anxiety. When her health began deteriorating, we took her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead due to cardiac arrest," he said.
Anandveer Singh, Jagdishpura police station in-charge, told PTI, "We have received a complaint in this case from the family. Action will be taken accordingly."
