Kartha Naag Bhagwan Visits Kaulantak Peeth
Kullu’s Dussehra festival is famous as the International Dussehra Festival. Although this festival is not part of ancient Deva Dharm tradition, but this ‘Mela’ (carnival) was started by the King of Kullu when he brought the idol of Bhagwan Shri Ram from Ayodhya to Kullu, where the Siddhas’ Shaiva-Shakht tradition is still followed in Kullu , under the Deva Dharm tradition.
When Bhagwan Shri Ram’s idol was brought to Kullu, then the King invited local Devi-Devatas (Deities) to Kullu and started Lord Rama’s ‘Ratha Yatra’. So this tradition has been followed since the 16th century and is held every year by the district administration of Kullu. In modern times, around 200-300 Devi-Devatas are invited, from the far away mountains of Kullu valley, in the Kullu Dussehra festival.
One of the prime deities from the Paladi valley, Banjara, Himachal Pradesh, Bhagwan Shri Kartha Naag, goes to take part in Kullu Dussehra. This time, after the Kullu Dussehra festival, Bhagwan Shri Kartha Naag stayed in Kaulantak Peeth while returning from Kullu Dussehra. The ‘Goor’ (Shamans), the ‘Poojaris’ and hundreds of Devotees of Bhagwan Shri Kartha Naag ji came along with the Devata to Kaulantak Peeth. The ‘Ratha’ (Divine Chariot) of Bhagwan Shri Kartha Naag ji arrived in Kaulantak Peeth at 8:00Pm, on the night of October 30, 2023.
The information of the Devata’s arrival reached Mahasiddha Ishaputra well in advance. So the head of Kaulantak Peeth, the Kaulantak Nath, Mahasiddha Ishaputra, came from His Sadhna space in the Himalayan forest, to welcome the Devata Kartha Naag ji along with His Bhairavs and Bhairavis. All the Bhairavis were dressed in the traditional ‘Kullvi Pattu’ of white colour, covering their head with colourful scarves, holding the worship ‘Thali’ (worship plate of Brass) in their hands, standing in a queue along with the Kaulantak Nath, Mahasiddha Ishaputra, His mother and Guruma. While Mahasiddha Ishaputra was wearing Red royal ‘Dhoti and Odhani’, ‘Kullvi Topi’ with His signature ‘Shri Vatsa’ pendant in the garland of ‘Panchamukhi’ Rudraksha. Every Thali was decorated with flowers, incense ‘Dhoop’, offerings of walnuts and ‘Akshata’ (rice grains). It was a musical environment, filled with the fragrance of incense, devotion and music of the Devata’s band, where the ‘Bajantri’ (band of Devatas) played big drums, ‘Dhols’, ‘Nagaras’, ‘Narsingas’, ‘Karnalis’, ‘Shehnayi’ and many more instruments. The Bhairavis offered the prayers and ‘Dhoop’ to the Devata and the Devata Kartha Naag ji accepted the prayers by bowing down on the Bhairavis to give blessings.
The team of Kaulantak Peeth held a grand welcome for the Devata after which the Devata was seated on the special ‘Asan’ (altar) prepared especially for Him. The ‘Asan’ of Devata was placed in the centre of the hall, along with Bhagwan Shri Swacchanda Bhairav and Kula Mayi, Goddess Kurukulla. The centre space in the hall was kept empty for the other devotees from the surrounding villages to visit the Devata and receive His blessings. The devotees who came with the Devata, sat behind the well-arranged space on both sides of the hall to take part in the worship rituals and ‘Kirtan’ (devotional prayers and hymns). After the Devata Kartha Naag Ji accepted the ‘Asan’ and was seated there, the grand worship rituals for Bhagwan Shri Kartha Naag Ji began in Kaulantak Peeth.
The worship rituals and the Shamanic traditional rituals, held under the Deva Parampara tradition, were conducted during the same night. Followed by worship rituals, the special Prasad, famously known as ‘Kulvi Dham’, was offered to all the devotees present on the auspicious night in Kaulantak Peeth. After the devotees were satisfied with the Prasad offering, Mahasiddha Ishaputra had an insightful conversation with the Shamans of Devata Kartha Naag Ji. The Shamans of Devata, the ‘Pujari’ and the devotees listened to Mahasiddha Ishaputra on Siddha Dharma tradition, Deva Dharma tradition and importance of Himalayan Devi Devatas for people in Himalayan villages and in cities around the world, especially in the dark age of kaliyuga.
Mahasiddha Ishaputra presented suggestions to improve the Deva Parampara so that this tradition can help further to bring world peace, harmony, Love and happiness in the world. The next morning, after the worship rituals, the ‘Dakshina’ (donation) and many gifts were offered to the Devata Kartha Naag ji, that was sent by few Bhairav Bhairavis from around the world. Mahasiddha Ishaputra asked for the ‘Ashirwaad’ (blessings) for all His Bhairav- Bhairavis that they all be blessed with abundance, prosperity, Gyan, wisdom and happiness in their lives. And they should progress on the path of Dharm and Siddhatva. After the offerings, the Devotees were offered with the Prasad of the Devata, after which the Shamanic ritual was held by the Shamans of Devata Kartha Naag ji. These rituals were conducted just before bidding farewell to Devata Kartha Naag ji.
Devata Kartha Naag ji spoke the Divine words and gave His blessings to Mahasiddha Ishaputra and all Bhairava-Bhairavis of Kaulantak Peeth before leaving. The Devata said to Mahasiddha Ishaputra that He came not because of any invitation, but because of His own will to visit Kaulantak Peeth. The reason He came was for the welfare of Kaulantak Peeth, of the world and for all the sentient beings. The Devata further said that Kaulantak Peeth is His own place, therefore He will keep visiting His place, without waiting for any invitation and will bless all. He said to Mahasiddha Ishaputra that the great capacities, knowledge and wisdom They gave to Him is for the welfare of the world. So Mahasiddha Ishaputra should move forward in His goals around world’s welfare and establishing Dharm without any inhibitions. The Devata Kartha Naag ji then promised to return soon to Kaulantak Peeth before leaving.