Legend of Rishishringa and Shanta
Bal kand chapter 9 in Valmiki ramayan mentions Rishyashringa ( A sage with deer horn) who would help King Dashrath beget sons through putreshti yagna.
Stories on Rishyasringa
There are different stories relating to the birth of Rishyasringa. One legend suggests that Rishi Vibhandaka (Son of Rishi Kashyap) was seduced by Urvashi (An apsara from Indra’s court) on the order of Indra (the king of gods) , who feared the yogic powers gained out of penance by the rishi could prove fatal to the very existence of heavenly world.
However, immediately after the child was born, Urvashi, after completing the duty she was sent for, left the young born child and Vibhandaka. The boy was born with a horn and hence named Rishyasringa.The incident left the father with extreme hatred towards women folk, and he raised the boy in a forest, isolated from society. He was raised in seclusion away from human society by his father Vibhandaka unaware of existence of any female and acquired magical and miraculous powers due to his chastity.
Another story suggests that he was born of a hind (female red deer) who was a devkanya and was transformed into a hind by bhrama. She was rid of her curse after giving birth to the sage. Hence the child was born with a horn on his head.
Rishyashringa’s presence was believed to have the power to bring rain to a drought-stricken land. Indra was displeased by The king of Anga Lompada and hence restricted rain in his kingdom which suffered a drought.
In the Ramayana, King Romapada of Anga sought Rishyashringa’s help to end a severe drought plaguing his kingdom.
Manipulation to bring Rishyasringa to Anga
Rishyashringa was raised in complete isolation by his father, Sage Vibhandaka, who wanted to shield him from worldly influences. Due to this seclusion, Rishyashringa grew up unaware of human society and its customs.
The king of Anga despite his fear of the power and anger of Vibhandaka , sends some courtesans to Rishyasringa to bring him into his kingdom. During Vibhandaka’s absence, the women come to his ashram and meet Rishyasringa. Rishyasringa becomes astonished by seeing their appearance as he has never seen a woman before . The courtesans take Rishyasringa to Anga.
Romapada requests RishyaSringa to perform a yagya to end the draught. After the yagya , Anga receives bountiful rain and the problem of drought is brought to an end. Pleased with this, Raja Rompad married his adopted daughter Devi Shanta (King Dashrath’s daughter and lord Ram’s elder sister)daughter Devi Shanta to Rishyasringa.
The descendants of Shanta and Rishyasringa are Sengar Rajputs who are called the only Rishivanshi rajputs.
Temples of Rishyasringa and Shanta
Sri Rishya Shringeshwara temple : Kigga (Sringeri)
Rishyasringa Temple is located at the village named Kigga which is 13km from Sringeri. Locally, it is popular as Kigga Temple and many devotees visit the temple.
Rishyasringa felt himself called back to the forest with its holy atmosphere. He retired to the forest to spend the remainder of his life in divine contemplation along with his wife. When he shuffled off his mortal coil, a lightning issued forth from his body and disappeared into the Linga he was worshipping as a symbol of formless Absolute.
Rishyasringa Temple is located in a place called Kigga near Sringeri. Here the sanctum consists of a Shiva Linga with a horn which is indicative of both Sage Rishyasringa and Shiva Linga in one form. Here the deity is known as Rishyasringeshwara Swamy . Hence, the Rishyasringa Temple is one of the unique temples with unique Shiva Lingam in South India.
The Linga that was worshipped by the sage Vibhandaka and into which he himself disappeared in the end is on the summit of a hillock. This is situated in the centre of Sringeri. The Linga is known as Malahanikareshwara (destroyer of the impurities of the Jiva) and is worshipped even today.
Shringa Rishi temple : Baggi Village (Banjar valley)Kullu
At a distance of 60 km from Kullu, 65 km from Mandi and 6.5 km from Banjar, Shringa Rishi Temple is situated at Baggi village in Banjar valley.
This temple is dedicated to sage Rishyasringa, who was the legendary saint of Kashyapa’s lineage. This valley is believed to have been the Rishi`s `tapa bhoomi` or meditation site.Shringi Rishi is the ruling deity of Banjar valley and is popularly known as Skirni Deo. The temple has been reconstructed in 2008.
Lord Rama’s elder sister, Devi Shanta is worshiped in the Shringa Rishi temple here. In this temple Goddess Shanta and her husband Shring Rishi are worshiped together.
According top legend , whoever worships the couple with a genuine heart, is granted the blessings of Lord Rama. The festival of Dussehra is celebrated with great grandeur in the temple of Goddess Shanta.
Once a year, in the month of May, thousands of pilgrims come here every year to pay homage to Lord Shringa. During rest of the year the place remains inaccessible due to thickly covered snow.
Shringi Rishi Dham : Lakhisarai
Shringi Rishi Dham is located in Lakhisarai district of Bihar state. The temple was closed for many years due to naxalites and is now open to public. According to legend , it was here that King Dashrath’s son’s ; Lord Ram , Lakshman, Shatrughan and Bharat’s Mundan Sanskar took place. People come to this place for the mundan ( tonsure) ceremony of their kids.
The temple is located in the Chanan and Kajra hills near Jalappa Ashthan. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva.
Locals believe that this temple was in existence well before the birth of Sri Ram, and this belief is written on the wall of the temple “RAM JANAM SE PAHLE {before the birth of Ram}.
This temple was Rishi Shring’s ashram in Tretayug.
Saptarshi Ashram : Sihawa(Dhaqmtari Chattisgarh)
Sihawa is a small village located at a distance of 80 kilometers from Dhamtari district headquarters. Lord Rama visited Muchkund Rishi, Agastya Rishi, Angira Rishi, Shringi Rishi, Kankar Rishi, Sharabhang Rishi, Gautama Rishi and others in their respective ashrams to seek their blessings during his 14-year exile.
The mythological name of the Sihawa mountain mentioned in the Puranas is Mahendrachal or Mahendraparvat. Shringi Rishi Ashram is a major ashram of Sihawa which was inhabited by Shringi Rishi.
Mahanadi origin
River Mahanadi flows from here and appears to be massive in this region as compared to its origin. A small pool on the hill is believed to be the source of Mahanadi. It is no less than a miracle to
have a pool of water at the top of this dry rocky hill. There are hollow stones on the hill which make a ringing sound.
Rishi Shringa Samadhi
There is a temple of Rishi Shringa and Devi Shanta here. Childless couples come here during makar shankranti for the vishnu Yahya which is performed on 14 J anuary every year. It is believed that Rishi Shringa took samadhi in his ashram here.
Shringa Rishi Cave : Sirmaur
The Sirmaur Shring Rishi Cave is a sacred site located in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. It is believed to be the meditation spot of Shringi Rishi.
Legend has it that Shringi Rishi performed intense penance and meditation in this cave, making it a place of spiritual importance for devotees. The cave is nestled amidst the serene and picturesque surroundings of the Himalayan foothills, providing an ideal environment for meditation and introspection.
Many believe that the vibrations of theplace, imbued with the energy of the sage’s penance, have a transformative effect on the mind and spirit.
The journey to the cave usually involves a trek through scenic trails, allowing pilgrims and travellers to immerse themselves in the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Along the way, they may encounter small temples, shrines, and natural springs, adding to the spiritual ambiance of the pilgrimage.
Local festivals and religious ceremonies are sometimes held near the cave,
attracting devotees from far and wide to participate in the celebrations and rituals. Lord shiva and Lord Ganesh are worshipped here and various deities are carved on the walls of the cave. A big fair held near the cave on shiv ratri.
Pandavas during dwaper yug paid homage to Shringa Rishi and sought his blessings at this cave.
References :
https://seth-traveldiary.blogspot.com/2017/12/let-us-explore-tourism-opportunity-of.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shringi_Rishi_Dham
https://wwwsrkullu.blogspot.com/2011/04/shringi-rishi.html
https://ramvangamanpath.com/sihawas-saptarishi-ashram-and-ramayan-ram-van-gaman-path