B K Charak
Temple of Harihar is located in village Chanunta about 25 Km from Udhampur district headquarters. It is on the left side of an ancient on foot-route from Udhampur to Ramnagar and on left side of this temple, there is a sweet water spring (Bowli). Just adjoining to it, there is an inn in a dilapidated condition, possibly built for night stay of travelers. Temple is a unique specimen of architecture. It is constructed in Nagra style like most of the temples in northern India. Design of temple is based on ancient Vastu Shastra. Nagra temple architecture style was prevalent in northern India during Gupta period (3rd century CE to 6th century CE). There isn’t any authenticated record or proof regarding exact year of its construction, but according to the village elders, it was build some 140 years back during regime of Maharaja Ranbir Singh by Wazir Ram Dass, who was a Minister in the court of Maharaja and a resident of this village. It is believed that there was a great spurt in temple building activity during this period. It is a unique temple, due to being the only temple of Harihar in district Udhampur and perhaps in J&K as well.
Harihar deity situated in the Sanctum sanctorum is having four images, central image is a fused form of Lords Shiva and Vishnu, while right side of the deity is the image of Lord Vishnu having Conch shell in one hand and a mace in the other hand. Head is decorated with peacock feather and is golden hued, whereas left side of the deity shows image of Lord Shiva with drum tied to the trident, one hand raised upright in gesture of benediction and decorated with crescent and Ganga flowing out from matted hair. On the both side of deity are two female images each, but actually it is the same female image known as Mohini, which is a transformed form of Lord Vishnu. On the extreme right side is son of Harihar, commonly called as Harihar Suta or Ayyappa, which is famous as Swami Ayyappa in South India. Fused form of lord Shiva and Vishnu known as Harihar also expounds the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta that ultimate reality is not two but one (Brahma).
According to Padam Puran and Vishnupuran, when Cosmos was in its youth, two types of beings were there; one the Devas (demigods) depicted in Hindu mythology as clean shaved, handsome and celestial beings, others were Asuras (Demons as brutes) with long uneven hair, black colored, long mustache and villain like appearance. These demons were always in constant war with Devas especially with Indra to usurp his throne. During some respite from war, both the forces decided to churn the primordial ocean of milk to get the nectar, thinking that it would bless them with immortality. For this purpose they used the mount Meru as churning rod and serpent Vasuki nag as rope, who was bound round the Meru. The first product which appeared from churning was lethal Halahal (poison). Lord Shiva, who was watching all this from Mount Kailash rushed to the spot and drank it to save the cosmos. His consort Parvati, who also there, feared that Lord himself would be affected by the poison, squeezed his throat, due to which it turned blue-coloured, after which he was known as Neel Kantheshwar Mahadev. Another product which came out from the ocean was bowl of nectar. Asuras got hold of it and ran away. Lord Vishnu who is also called as sustainer of universe, was watching all this, so he acted quickly and transformed himself into a beautiful woman. Later, this woman was called as Mohini, started dancing before the Asuras. Infatuated and charmed by the beauty of this divine Mohini, Asuras left behind the nectar bowl and got attracted to her. They all forgot about the bowl. Devas took advantage of this and quickly got hold of the bowl, drank nectar and became immortal. Thereafter, Mohini by her magical powers escaped from the spot.
As the story goes on, Mohini appeared in very deep and dense forest by the side of a spring, where there were multicolored flowers everywhere. Atmosphere was full of fragrance and she was admiring her beauty. Continuing the divine play on, Lord Shiva appeared at that lovely place, visibly infatuated by her beauty, both Shiv and Mohini indulged in conjugatal union, after which a son was born to them, which was called as Harihar Suta or Ayyappa. After dematerialisation of Shiva and Mohini, Ayyappa was left in the forest and was discovered by King of Pandalum (Kingdom in South India). Famous temple of Swami Ayyappa is situated on the hills of Sabarimala in Karnataka. Present deity Harihara, which is situated in the temple at village Chanunta since last 140 years, unknown and unidentified by public of surrounding area, despite maintenance and up-keeping by temple committee, is abandoned spiritually, as no one knows the proper method of its worship. People of adjoining areas used to come to pay obeisance before the deity without knowing the fact that which deity is this or which type of Mantra chanting is required to worship the deity. It needs further research to bring out the truth from the womb of past.
(The author is a retired Lecturer).