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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8 children between ages of 1 and 14 dead after mass shooting in Louisiana, police say
Shreveport(US) (AP): A gunman in Louisiana killed eight children in shootings at two different homes early Sunday in the nation's deadliest mass shooting in more than two years, police in Shreveport said.
The victims ranged in age from one to about 14 years old, said Shreveport police spokesperson Chris Bordelon. A total of 10 were shot and some of the children were related to the suspect, Bordelon said.
The gunman later died after a chase with officers who fired at the suspect, Bordelon said. The suspect stole a car while leaving the scene of the shootings and was followed by police, according to Bordelon.
Police did not release the name of the suspect but did say he was an adult male. The shootings were the result of a “domestic disturbance,” Bordelon said.
Officials said they were still gathering details at the crime scenes south of downtown Shreveport — the two homes and a third location.
“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” he said.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in the US since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
At a news conference outside the residence where one of the shootings occurred, officials appeared stunned, requesting patience and prayers from the community as they sorted through multiple crime scenes.
“I just don't know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”
“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had,” said Tom Arceneaux, mayor of the city in northwestern Louisiana with about 180,000 residents. “It's a terrible morning.”
Louisiana State Police say their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate. In a statement, state police say no officers were harmed in the shooting that involved an officer after a police pursuit into Bossier City on Sunday morning.
State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.
Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry said in a statement that he and his wife were heartbroken. “We're deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” he added.
