"एकदन्तं महाकायं लम्बोदरगजाननम्ं। विध्ननाशकरं देवं हेरम्बं प्रणमाम्यहम्": Maoists tried to destroy Ganesh idol at place that gave him Ekdanta name, but couldn’t stop the divinity as rediscovery created a sensation, became popular destination for pilgrims

Ganesh Chaturthi, the festival commemorating the birth of Lord Ganesh, started today across India. After restricted celebrations in the last two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year has seen the return to full-fledged celebrations of the holy festival. While most individual households and puja pandals get clay idols of the elephant-headed God for the occasions, temples and many other places worship permanent idols, many of them centuries old. Among those idols of Lord Ganesha, one in Chhattishgarh is really unique, the Dholkal Ganesha of Dantewada.

This unique idol of Lord Ganesha is located on Mountain Dholkal in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada at a height of around 3000 feet. The idol brilliantly carved out of stone, was the victim of the systematic vandalism and destruction of Hindu icons and objects of worship recently, when it was vandalized by Maoists in 2017. But the Maoists could not kill the divinity of the idol and the mountaintop, and devotees complete a difficult trek to climb 3000 feet on foot to reach the idol to have a darshan and worship it.

The idol was carved and installed in the 11th century and was worshipped regularly. But with time it went out of people’s memory and got covered by trees, and remained hidden for many years until it was rediscovered by the British in 1943 before opening the Bailadila mines. The idol is around 3 feet tall and weighs more than 500 kgs. The Ganesh idol, carved from a solid piece of granite, is perched on its beautiful circular perch amid the deep, impenetrable woods of Bastar in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada region.

However, post-independence, the idol got vanished from public memory again until the year 2012 when a journalist marched on a trek into the dense forest leading to the Dholkal mountain peak. This rediscovery created a sensation, so much so that the Dholkal Ganesh temple became a popular destination for pilgrims, trekkers, and history lovers. The Chhattishgarh state government had also started taking efforts to recognize the travel spot and had begun promoting the same in its travel programs.

Also, the local tribes began hoping for prosperity as increased tourism would mean increased employment opportunities and increased income. Many also employed themselves as tour guides and tour operators and the dense forest from the base camp named Farsal suddenly was teeming with people who were walking up the way to pay respects to the 1100-year-old Ganesha idol.

Maoists threw the idol from Bastal hilltop

The scene of the Dholkal Ganesh idol bringing prosperity to the local tribal people of Bastar and the Dantewada region was unbearable for the Maoist terrorists who resided in the areas around Bastar. They could not watch the local tribes earning money and hoping for a better life due to state-promoted tourism. In January 2017, the huge Dholkal Ganesh idol was dropped from its lofty position 3,000 feet into the Bastar forests. The idol naturally shattered into smithereens resulting in killing the hopes of local poor residents.

The Bastar Police then launched an investigation to find and gather the idol pieces at the foothill dominated by the Maoists. The Police also stated that the Maoists had executed the destruction to stop the economic development of the region and also to prevent visitors from entering the area. Reports mention that the incident happened after the state government had announced sanctioning Rs 2 crore for developing the area as a tourist spot.

On February 2, the Ekadanta idol was then restored to its original site atop Dholkal hill by the Archaeological Survey of India and was consecrated by local religious rites.

Ekadanta- the unique idol

Mountain Dholkal in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada, where at a height of about 2,500 feet a unique idol of Lord Ganesha in the form of Ekdantay was installed during the 11th century to commemorate the battle of sage Parashuram and Ganesh. Established by the Chindak Nagvanshi kings, the idol holds an axe in one hand and a broken tooth in the other, with the 'Shesh Nag' on the belly of the elephant-head God. Every day Bhogami tribals worship the idol of Ganesha by climbing the mountain.

When priests chant 'Ekadantay vakratunday Gauri tanaya dheemahi...', anyone can recognize that it's none other than Lord Ganesha. But, does one know 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.

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 meeting 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 the 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, symbolizing the Chhindak Nagvanshi dynasty. Besides, the idol has Shackle instead of Janeu (Hindu sacred thread). You can not find any similar kinds of Ganesha idols 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 every day.

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 grueling journey, crossing inaccessible dense forests, 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 the Ganesha idol, and from there a three-hour trek to reach the Dholkal peak at the hillock. Pharsapal is 16 km away from Dantewada.

It is one of the reasons that very few tourists do turn up to have a glimpse of the 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 the Department of Tourism need to work on the development of Dholkal so that the people can come to visit the rare idol of Lord Ganesha.

Locals worship the idol and commemorate the battle

People also worship the idol during Ganesh Chaturthi which started today. People trek to the mountaintop, walk over a series of rocks to reach the stone where the idol is located, climb over that rock, and offer prayers. Due to its location, only physically fit people can reach the place, and only a small number of people can reach the idol at a time, as there is not much space on the rocks in that place. But the locals still reach the place on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi and conduct puja as per rituals.

The Ganesha idol established at the mountaintop of the Bailadila hill range is unique as it holds some special features. The idol which is around 1100 years old is naturally protected with no roof covering the statue. It features a ‘Sheha Nag’ on the stomach of the idol of Lord Ganesha and also shackles instead of Janeu which is a Hindu sacred thread. According to the experts, these features symbolize the creation of the Chhindak Nagvanshi dynasty and make the idol one of its kind worldwide.

Locals believe that the Bhogami tribals of South Bastar are descended from the female priest of Dholkatta Dholkal, and they worship the Dholkal Ganesha idol every day. According to another legend, the Dholkal Ganesha statue was initially worshiped by a Bhogami tribal lady. Locals claim that the residents of Faraspal village woke when she blew a conch from the top of the mountain. The locals worship the Ganesha statue throughout the year, and a special fair is conducted at this location in the summer.

During this period, apart from Lord Ganesha, Parashurama and other local deities are worshipped. To reach the peak of the mountain where the historic idol of Lord Ganesha is located, one has to travel through extremely dense forests, mountains, and ravines. Farsapal village which is named after the weapon used by sage Parshuram in the battle forms the base point for the Dholkal trek. Reportedly, the majority of the visitors to the spot hail from neighbouring areas.

Pertinently, the news of damage to the idol in 2017 has travelled far, attracting several visitors to the spot, including YouTubers. The state security forces after the year 2017 have also extended their operations to the location to drive away the Maoists and protect the visitors.

References:

opindia.com