Every religion, every culture and every country, be it Sri Lanka, Austria or America, will always have a history and with that history comes great fables and legends. Similarly, in India, as we all know, over tens of thousands of gods are worshipped since time immemorial and with each god came an incarnation or earthly form, during which he waged wars, helped mankind, built structures, initiated new practices, left behind teachings and relics et al. In Hindu mythology there are many such observations listed and accounted for, some with great hype, some just plain lies and some with such precision that the information provided – could be a date, place or even measurements- are scientifically proven by modern-day researchers. Such evidence of the existence of happenings that took place over 5000-years ago, during the period when the gods walked this earth, has baffled one and many. So, in this article I will present to you a few such unbelievable, yet true, events that are spread across India.
1. ADAM’S BRIDGE or RAMA SETU
The Rama Setu was the supposed bridge built by Lord Ram in the year 5076 BCE, as per listed in the Hindu epic, The Ramayana. It was built out of limestone shoal rocks by the ancient architect Nala, who helped create this civil engineering marvel of the ancient civilization.
As the story goes, Ram’s army of apes wrote his name on each piece of rock and threw it into the ocean, which caused it to float, to create a 30km long bridge across the Gulf of Mannar to reach Sri Lanka from the city of Rameswaram. However,modern day scientists deny the fact that rocks could merely float on water, so have given multiple theories but have failed to provide any evidence. Another fascinating fact was that this bridge was passable by foot up till the 15th century, where-after the water levels increased and most of the bridge was destroyed by a massive cyclone. What we see today are the remains of the ancient Rama Setu. FACT.
2. ASHWATTHAMA
Ashwatthama was the son of the afamed Guru Dronacharya from another Hindu epic, The Mahabharata. He was one of the seven Chiranjeevins. He was dearly loved by his father and was blessed with great knowledge and strength, so much so that he had an enormous gem, The Syamantaka Mani which harnessed great magical powers. However, after siding with the Kauravs during the battle and losing thereafter, Ashwatthama sought out one last resort to destroy the Pandavas and take revenge. Thus, being a big devotee of Lord Shiva, he seeked his blessings and went on to murder the five brothers in their sleep, like a coward. But in all darkness of the night, instead of killing his opponents he murdered the five Upapandavas, the five sons of Draupadi. Enraged by this deed, the Pandavs and Lord Krishna removed the Mani from his head and cursed him to walk this earth till the end of time with a bleeding wound and heavy heart. He is never to be forgiven nor are his wounds ever to be cured.
Since the battles occurred in 3000BCE, there have been many sightings and tall tales by people on account of their encounters with a tall beast like man with a perpetually bleeding wound.
A few encounters are as follows…
Legend says that in an Indian village near Burhanpur, there is an old fort called Asirgarh (in Madhya Pradesh), an ancient tomb where Ashwatthama supposedly offers flowers to a Shivaling each morning. This came very briefly on some news channels too.
Once, a Vaidya (Ayurvedic Doctor) in Madhya Pradesh had a tough patient with a septic forehead. After several applications of a fail-proof potion, the wound was still fresh and kept bleeding. Amazed at this, the doctor wittingly said: “Your wound seems ageless and cureless. I wonder, are you Ashwatthama… hahaha”. At the third ‘ha’, he turned around to apply the next doze and found that the seat was empty. The patient just disappeared into air, sealing Vaidya’s wit with reality.
When in 1192, Prithviraaj Chauhaan lost the battle from Mohammad Gauree, he left for jungle. There he met one old person with a scar on his head. Being a very good doctor Prithviraaj Chauhaan confidently asked him that he can cure his scar. The old man agreed. But even after week’s medication it remained as it is. Prithviraaj was surprised and understood the details. He asked old man if he is Ashwatthama. Because such a scar – created only by taking the “MANI” from a person’s forehead – cannot be cured. The old man confirmed that he was Ashwatthama indeed and then went away. This description is given in “Prithviraaj Raso”, the biography written in 12th century on Prithviraaj Chauhan.
Thus, if you ever think about wondering in the Himalayan forests or by the riverbeds of northern India, try looking for the ‘Mani-less’ dude (pun-intended)! Okay, bad joke. And yes, many news channels like India TV and ZEE News have made failed attempts at filming documentaries trying to track him down, but with miserable results.
3. LOST CITY OF DWARKA
The ancient city of Dwarka was Lord Krishna’s hometown, where he grew up, ruled and played with his numerous gopis. This city is said to have existed more than a 1000-years ago, even before the Indus-Valley Civilization and was a prosperous port town on the banks of the Arabian Sea in Gujrat. As many stories reveal, this city was submerged by the waters of the sea as the Gods grew jealous of its enticing beauty. And another one mentions that the city was destroyed the moment Krishan ji left for his heavenly abode leaving behind his human form forever.
However, off late, in 2001, underwater divers checking the pollution levels under the sea found, of what is said to be, the remains of an ancient city of Dwarka. Thereafter, more discoveries uncovered various truths. FACT.
4. NIDHIVAN, VRINDAVAN CITY.
Nidhi Van is one of the most mysterious places located in the sacred city of Vrindavan, dedicated solely to Lord Krishna and his Gopis. There is a small temple in the middle of the area surrounded by a large forest which is said to have ‘dancing trees’ entangled with one another. Some say they are Krishan’s Gopi’s portraying the emotion of love for each other. The legend about Nidhi Van goes as; there was adivine saint “Swami Haridas” used to please his Lord Banke Bihari (Krishan Ji) by pouring the melodious rapture of his thrilling music in Nidhivan. And kind Bihari ji appear in his dream and also blessed him by appearing in the ground of Nidhivan and there is a temple at that place inside Nidhivan named Prakatya Sathal (place of appearance of shree Bihari ji).
So, after 8 p.m., all creatures, human or animal, clear out of the vicinity after the night arti (prayer) as it is said that Lord Krishan and his Gopis perform their Ras-Lila (a dance form) there during sun-down and by morning all the goodies left back by the priest for t the celestial beings to feast on is vanished. Also, if anybody is left behind the next morning is found in such a state that he has no re-collection of what happened, i.e. they are found deaf, blind, dumb or dead. FACT.
Thus, we can also say that if these ancient myths are witnessed by millions even in today’s date, then they aren’t legends any more. They are hard core facts.
