Rajasthan Darshan Desk, Dussehra is celebrated across the country by burning Ravana as a symbol of the victory of truth over untruth and virtue over sin. But in Jodhpur, the people of Shrimali Brahmin community, who claim themselves to be descendants of Ravana, perform Yajnopavit rites and worship along with mourning in the temple of Lankapati Ravana.
It is believed that Ravana’s in-laws house is in Jodhpur. Ravana’s wife Queen Mandodari was the daughter of the king of Mandore of Jodhpur. When Ravana came to Mandore in Jodhpur with a wedding procession from Lanka, Shrimali Brahmins of Goda Gotra also came here along with him in the wedding procession. After marriage, Ravana returned to Lanka with Mandodari but Shrimali Brahmin of Goda Gotra remained in Jodhpur. From then till today they worship and worship Dashanan here. The situation is that this society celebrates Dussehra as a form of mourning and also does not observe Ravana Dahan.
Shrimali Brahmins consider themselves descendants of Ravana
People of Shrimali Brahmin community of Goda Gotra consider themselves descendants of Ravana and Mandore as Ravana’s in-laws. More than 100 families of this gotra live in Jodhpur and more than 60 families live in Phalodi.
Ravana’s temple is here
In 2008, Shrimali Brahmins of Jodhpur had built the temple of Ravana in the foothills of Mehrangarh. Here a huge statue of Ravana and Mandodari worshiping Shiva was installed. Even at present, the construction work of the temple is in progress and the descendants of Ravana are worshiped here every day.
Tarpan is offered to Ravana during Shraddha Paksha.
Shrimali Brahmins of Goda Gotra have been doing special worship of Ravana. They mourn on the day of Ravana Dahan. Even the Brahmins of Goda Gotra perform Shraddha and Tarpan of Ravana on Dashami during Shraddha Paksha. Just as the sacred thread ( sacred thread) is changed by taking a bath after the death of a loved one, similarly after the burning of Ravana on Dussehra, people of this community also change the sacred thread by taking a bath in the pond or lake.
Ravana Dahan does not happen here
The temple of Lankapati Ravana is built in the Navgraha temple located on Kila Road, Jodhpur. Where there is a statue of Dashanan Ravana worshiping Shiva. Lankapati Ravana was a great devotee of Mahadev. Therefore, the temple of Mandodari has also been built in front of the temple of Shiva and Ravana. Ravana Dahan is not done within a radius of about 500 meters of Ravana temple in Jodhpur, nor do any people from here go to see Ravana Dahan. People here say that even though Ravana is considered a symbol of evil, their ancestors have worshiped Ravana. Ravana was a very scholar and musician. In such a situation, they will also keep worshiping Ravana.
Descendant’s faith in Ravana
Pandit Kamlesh Kumar Dave, the chief priest of Ravana’s temple, who considers himself a descendant of Ravana, says that he belongs to Shrimali Brahmin community of Goda Gotra and is also a descendant of Ravana. When Ravana came to Mandore from Lanka to marry Queen Mandodari, his ancestors also came through Daijar cave to attend the marriage. After marriage, Lankapati Ravana returned to Lanka with Mandodari in Pushpak Viman and his descendants remained here. From then till today he has been worshiping and worshiping Ravana here.
