Dantewada (Chhattisgarh): When priests chant 'Ekadantay vakratunday Gauri tanaya dheemahi...', anyone can recognise that it's none other than Lord Ganesha. But, does one know that where is the first and exclusive idol of Ekadantay has been installed.
This unique idol of Lord Ganesha was installed on Mountain Dholkal in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada, at a height of about 2,500 feet.
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The 11th-century idol of Ganesha was installed by the kings of Chhindak Nagvanshi dynasty in memory of the battle between Parashurama and Ganesha.
According to mythology, Lord Ganesha and Parashuram (a seer) had a battle at this hillock and in this fight, lord Ganesha’s tooth was broken and fell here.
While speaking to ETV Bharat, Hemant Kashyap, an expert from Bastar said, "A battle took place between Lord Ganesha and Parashuram after the former objected Parashuram to meet Lord Shiva. In the battle, a tooth of Lord Ganesha was broken. Only after this, Lord Ganesha is called 'Ekadanta'".
"To commemorate this incident, the Chindak Nagvanshi kings installed the statue of Ganesha on this mountain," said Kashyap.
As Lord Ganesha’s one tusk got broken due to Parashurama's axe or 'Pharsa', the village located at the foothills of the peak is called Pharsapal, Kashyap added.
The idol of Ganesha has been carved with the stones, which are found in the foothills of Indravati River, which was later installed at the highest peak of Dholkal mountain, part of the Bailadila hill range.
Three-feet high and two-and-a-half feet wide statue is an exhibition of artistic brilliance. Justifying the saviour avtaar, the idol has 'Pharsa' (Axe) in the upper right hand and a broken tooth in the left hand, the lower right-hand holds Akshmala (Rudraksha mala) in the Abhay Mudra gesture and the lower left-hand holds a modak.
This wonderful statue is also uniquely carved. It is said that Lord Ganesha is sitting in ‘Lalitasana’ or playful and easygoing posture and such a statue is found nowhere except Bastar. There is no roof over the statue. It is naturally protected.
Sanjeev Pachori, an expert said, "The Ganesha idol has 'Shesh Nag' in it, symbolising the Chhindak Nagvanshi dynasty. Besides, the idol has Shackle instead of Janeu (Hindu sacred thread). You can not find any similar kinds of Ganesha idol in the whole world".
As per the locals’ belief, natives of South Bastar, Bhogami tribals owe their origin to the female priest of Dholkatta Dholkal and they worship the Dholkal Ganesha idol everyday.
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There is a belief that a Bhogami tribal woman first worshipped the Dholkal Ganesha idol. Locals said, people of Pharaspal woke up when she blew a conch from the top of the mountain.
The local inhabitants worship the idol of Ganesha throughout the year and a special fair is held at this site in summer. During this time Lord Ganesha and Parashurama are worshipped along with other local deities.
One has to undertake a gruelling journey, crossing inaccessible dense forest, mountains and ravines to reach the height of the mountain where the historic idol of Lord Ganesha is located. For reaching Dholkal, one has to reach Pharsapal which is 18 km away from Ganesha idol and from there a three-hour trek to reach the Dholkal peak at the hillock. Pharsapal is 16 kms away from Dantewada.
It is one of the reasons that very few tourists do turn up to have a glimpse of pious idol Lord Ganesha. Most of the visitors are from local villages.
Experts feel that there is a need to develop and promote this unique place as a tourist spot.
The State government and Department of Tourism need to work for the development of Dholkal so that the people can come to visit the rare idol of Lord Ganesha.
