Team News Riveting
Raipur, August 24
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday offered prayers at the Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya Ji’s birth place and Champeshwar Mahadev temple at Champaran in Chhattisgarh.
Located about 60 km from Chhattisgarh’s capital city Raipur, Champaran has religious significance as the birthplace of the Jagadguru Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya, the reformer and founder of the Vallabh sect also known as Pushtimarg. A temple has been constructed in his honour. Near this is a temple of Champeshwar Mahadeva. There are two Baithaks of Vallabhacharya’s Chaurasi Bethak here.
Shah, who is on a two-day Chhattisgarh visit, reached Champaran on Saturday morning. He was accompanied by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Raipur Member of Parliament Brijmohan Agrawal and others
Shah performed Puja-Archana of Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya and Champeshwar Mahadev temple and prayed for the happiness and prosperity of the countrymen.
The Union Home Minister was welcomed in a traditional manner on reaching Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya Ashram in Champaran. On this occasion, Dwarikeshwar Lal Ji Maharaj presented him a memento of Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya Ji. He was also welcomed on behalf of Vallabhacharya Nidhi Trust while Harish Babaria and Monal Babaria presented him a picture of Shrinath Ji.
Followers of Pushtimarg from all over the country visit Champaran. During his Banaras-South visit, Vallabhacharya’s mother had labour pains and she gave birth to a child near the Champeshwar Mahadev temple in Champaran. Vallabhacharya started the Pushtimarg and awakened the spirit of Krishna devotion across the country.
India has always had a tradition of pilgrimage from North to South India and from South India to North and this pilgrimage passes near many pilgrimage sites of the Mahanadi. The story of Champaran in itself reflects the unique cultural richness of India. Along with that, it also reflects the beautiful tradition of Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya and the acharyas of the Bhakti movement who cherished the values of the Sanatan tradition and awakened the spirit of Krishna devotion.
Mahaprabhu’s childhood and his beautiful memories are recorded in texts like Chaurasi Vaishnavo Ki Varta and Vallabh Digvijay. Champaran is near the Triveni Sangam Rajim. Lord Shri Rajiv Lochan is seated in Rajim. This is called Padam Kshetra. Panchkosi Parikrama takes place around this Padam Kshetra. Devotees take part in this Panchkosi Parikrama and offer water to Champeshwar Mahadev.
