Parshuram kund
It was a really beautiful route as we returned along the NH 113 alongside the spirited and lusty Lohit river. The mountains were green and lovely and the roads were winding and …er…lovely. And the weather was …er…lovely.
I was a bit sad though. Today would be the last leg of riding in the mountains. We would descend down to the Assam valley and the Lohit would meet the Dibang and other tributaries to become the mighty Brahmaputra and the land would be flat and rather boring.
But that was for tomorrow!
Why spoil the beautiful today with thoughts of tomorrow?
Why spoil the beautiful today with thoughts of tomorrow?
We rode leisurely down the empty roads, enjoying the sights of the mountains and valleys and frequently stopping just to chill and enjoy the views. Every turn seemed to offer an even better sight than the last - I particularly remember stopping to gaze up at the mist-covered Himalayan ranges in the distance, and being charmed to see a flock of Great Hornbills take a slow turning descent and land in the trees.
The clouds sat on the mountain sides like tired birds taking a break, and the river laughed and babbled as it enjoyed the last of its mountain route. And soon we were at the edge of the plateau and looking down on the majestic valley below.
It was really fascinating to see the difference in the river as it was freed from its mountain bounds and flowed into the flat valley below. It lost all its bounce and vitality and became separated like a an old rope fraying, as its component strands separated into a hundred different little rivers.
Whether humans or rivers - it is the limitations and boundaries imposed on you that give you power by focusing your energies.
We rode down as slowly as possible, with many many stops, as we gazed down on that awesome sight. We knew that we would lose this perspective soon, as we came down from the heights. One can only appreciate the greatness of this river from a height and distance. It totally overwhelms you with its power and immensity as you get near to it.
The road did some serious winding after the Lohit view point, and we enjoyed it extremely. It was a brilliant going-away present from Arunachal as we bent the bikes and scraped the footpegs coming down the curves.
The road did some serious winding after the Lohit view point, and we enjoyed it extremely. It was a brilliant going-away present from Arunachal as we bent the bikes and scraped the footpegs coming down the curves.
But Arunachal had one last present for us - Parshuramkund.
I was very happy to see Parshuram kund, named after our divine progenitor - a place of forgiveness where atonement is to be had - even for a sin as heinous as Matricide!
But probably there was too much sin even for this place to handle - there was a massive earthquake in Assam in 1950 and the original kund had been washed away!
There was a modern temple there now - but no kund! I went looking for it - but there is just the river! And such a powerful river!
Forget your sins - your body will also be washed away!
Apparently there is a big fair here every year on Makar Sankrant - 14th of January- when pilgrims come here to take holy dip and wash sins away.
Imagine taking a bath here in the depths of winter! Brrr. You will be frozen stiff!
But probably there was too much sin even for this place to handle - there was a massive earthquake in Assam in 1950 and the original kund had been washed away!
There was a modern temple there now - but no kund! I went looking for it - but there is just the river! And such a powerful river!
Forget your sins - your body will also be washed away!
Apparently there is a big fair here every year on Makar Sankrant - 14th of January- when pilgrims come here to take holy dip and wash sins away.
Imagine taking a bath here in the depths of winter! Brrr. You will be frozen stiff!
What I find most fascinating about this place and the legend of Parshuram - apart from the unprecedented ‘Kill Bill’ level bloodlust - is the geographical extent of the tale!
It’s amazing to think how the ancient Indians had such an accurate idea of the size and shape of the subcontinent … they called it the ‘Jambu- dwipa’ (Rose-Apple island… meaning a triangular landmass). So they knew the shape of the entire peninsula, they knew the mountains, rivers, plains etc.
They obviously knew about the neighbouring island of Sri Lanka - as it is a key location in the Ramayana. They knew about Tibet - it is the location of Mt Kailasa, home of Shiva. They knew about Burma - the very name ‘Burma’ is a corruption of the original name ‘Brahmadesh’ - ‘the Land of Brahma’.
How did they achieve such mapping? Such geographic knowledge ? - that too more than 3000 years ago?
Parshuram was born in North India - in Himachal Pradesh, on the banks of Renuka lake .
He then travelled all the way to the extreme East of India -here - to wash away his sins.
Then he cut his way through generations of Kshatriyas - presumably all over India.
Then he went to the West and literally created the west coast of India, which runs to the extreme South of the country.
Then he retired, and again went East - and created his own ashram in a mountain in the Eastern state of Orissa (where Karna of Mahabharata fame went to learn from him…and got cursed for his pains…but that’s yet another story.)
Thus - Unlike Rama and Krishna, who had largely North to South journeys in their adventures, from the Gangetic plains to the Deccan - Parshuram did all directions!
And he is the only Vishnu avatar who went East. I would think that Parshuram Kund is the Easternmost outpost in the Dashavatar!
I suppose even the tale of Parashurama could be titled - ONE MAN GOES TO ARUNACHAL PRADESH!
It’s amazing to think how the ancient Indians had such an accurate idea of the size and shape of the subcontinent … they called it the ‘Jambu- dwipa’ (Rose-Apple island… meaning a triangular landmass). So they knew the shape of the entire peninsula, they knew the mountains, rivers, plains etc.
They obviously knew about the neighbouring island of Sri Lanka - as it is a key location in the Ramayana. They knew about Tibet - it is the location of Mt Kailasa, home of Shiva. They knew about Burma - the very name ‘Burma’ is a corruption of the original name ‘Brahmadesh’ - ‘the Land of Brahma’.
How did they achieve such mapping? Such geographic knowledge ? - that too more than 3000 years ago?
Parshuram was born in North India - in Himachal Pradesh, on the banks of Renuka lake .
He then travelled all the way to the extreme East of India -here - to wash away his sins.
Then he cut his way through generations of Kshatriyas - presumably all over India.
Then he went to the West and literally created the west coast of India, which runs to the extreme South of the country.
Then he retired, and again went East - and created his own ashram in a mountain in the Eastern state of Orissa (where Karna of Mahabharata fame went to learn from him…and got cursed for his pains…but that’s yet another story.)
Thus - Unlike Rama and Krishna, who had largely North to South journeys in their adventures, from the Gangetic plains to the Deccan - Parshuram did all directions!
And he is the only Vishnu avatar who went East. I would think that Parshuram Kund is the Easternmost outpost in the Dashavatar!
I suppose even the tale of Parashurama could be titled - ONE MAN GOES TO ARUNACHAL PRADESH!
