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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Excise policy cases: SC agrees to hear Sisodia's pleas seeking relaxation of bail conditions
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear AAP leader Manish Sisodia's pleas seeking relaxation of bail conditions which require him to report to the investigating officer on every Monday and Thursday in the corruption and money laundering cases related to Delhi excise policy.
A bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan issued notices to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking their responses on Sisodia's applications.
On August 9, the apex court had granted him bail in the corruption and money laundering cases linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, saying long incarceration for 17 months without trial had deprived him of his right to speedy trial.
The apex court had imposed conditions, including that he shall report to the investigating officer on every Monday and Thursday between 10-11 am.
During the hearing on Friday, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Sisodia, said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader has appeared before the investigating officers 60 times.
"I (Sisodia) am a respectable person," the senior advocate said.
Singhvi said that similar condition was imposed by the apex court on other accused in the case.
"The same ED has given no objection to all other accused," he said.
The bench said, "On the next date, we will clarify it."
"Issue notice, returnable two weeks," the top court said.
The former Delhi deputy chief minister was arrested by both the CBI and the ED in corruption and money laundering cases linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.
He was arrested by the CBI on February 26, 2023 for purported irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the now scrapped Delhi excise policy 2021-22.
The following month, the ED arrested him in the money laundering case stemming from the CBI FIR on March 9, 2023. He resigned from the Delhi cabinet on February 28, 2023.
In its August 9 verdict granting bail to Sisodia in both the cases, the apex court had said it was high time that the trial courts and the high courts should recognise the principle that "bail is rule and jail is exception".
"We find that, on account of a long period of incarceration running for around 17 months and the trial even not having been commenced, the appellant (Sisodia) has been deprived of his right to speedy trial," it had said.
The top court had directed him to furnish a bail bond of Rs 10 lakh with two sureties of the like amount.
It had directed that Sisodia shall surrender his passport with the special court and not make any attempt either to influence the witnesses or to tamper with the evidence.
The apex court had set aside the May 21 verdict of the Delhi High Court, which had dismissed Sisodia's pleas seeking bail in both these cases.
The ED and the CBI had opposed his bail pleas.
