Baladevjew Temple

Baladevjew Temple

Baladev Jew Temple is situated in Ichhapur (Tulasi Khetra), Kendrapara, Odisha. Baladevjew Temple is a very famous temple of Odisha and Balarama is its main divinity. However, Jagannath and Subhadra are also worshipped in the Ratna Sinhasan in the main temple. An idol representing tulasi as a goddess in a seated position is also present after the sacred seven steps.

The present shrine of Siddha Baladeva Jew was constructed during the Maratha rule in Orissa (1761 AD) of Ichhapur (Kendrapara). It was constructed by the king of Kujanga, Raja Gopal Sandha and Zamidar (land lord) of Chhedara killah, Srinivas Narendra Mahapatra. One saint (Santha) Gopi Das and Sairatak Giri convinced the then Maratha Chief Janoji and constructed the Jagamohan, Bhoga Mandapa of the main temple, temple of Gundicha and compound wall.

It is believed that Khan-I-Duran, the subedar of Odisha during the Moghul Emperor Aurangeb demolished the temple in 1661 and built a mosque on the remains of the temple. Devotees of Lord Baladev Jeu, took the deity in disguise in a boat through the river Govari and kept the deity in a secret place near Baranga (Chhedara) Jungle. Afterwards it was shifted to Balarampur village near Luna river at Sakhi Bata. Later it was transferred to the present day Icchapur temple.

The deities of Lord Baladevjew, Lord Jagannath and Goddess Subhadra wear different costumes and are decorated in different ways during different important festivals. This tradition is known as Besha (alankara). The Rath Yatra here is famous for the Brahma Taladhwaja Rath.

Some Important Alankara are -

1.Sri Raghunatha Besha on Chaitra Purnima Festival.
2.Padma Besha on Kartik Purnima Festival and Tulsi Vivah in Kartik.
3.Gamhabhisheka Besha – From Shraavana Sukla Dashami to Purnima,holy srinakshatra ceremony of Lord Balarama
4.Pushyabhisheka Besha on Pausha Purnima festival
5.Kanchi Kaveri Besha on Vasant Panchami festival.
6.Suna Besha (Bali Vamana Besha) on Bhadrapad Dwadashi Day
7.Krishna Balarama Besha on Phalguna Purnima festival
8.Dwibinda banara besha that was offered by Pandit Binod Behari Dash who was a famous Sanskrit scholar of Ichhapur, Kendrapada

Badami - rock cut temple

Badami - rock cut temple

Badami formerly known as Vatapi, is a town and headquarters of a taluk by the same name, in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka,India. It was the regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas from 540 to 757 AD. It is famous for rock cut and other structural temples. It is located in a ravine at the foot of a rugged, red sandstone outcrop that surrounds Agastya lake. Badami has been selected as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.

The Puranic story says the wicked asura Vatapi was killed here by sage Agastya.

The rock-cut Badami Cave Temples were sculpted mostly between the 6th and 8th centuries. The four cave temples represent the secular nature of the rulers then, with tolerance and a religious following that inclines towards Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. cave 1 is devoted to Shiva, and Caves 2 and 3 are dedicated to Vishnu, whereas cave 4 displays reliefs of Jain Tirthankaras. Deep caverns with carved images of the various incarnations of gods are strewn across the area, under boulders and in the red sandstone. From an architectural and archaeological perspective, they provide critical evidence of the early styles and stages of the southern Indian architecture.

The Pallavas under the king Narasimhavarma I seized it in 642 AD & destroyed the Vatapi. Pulakeshi son Vikramaditya I of Chalukyas drove back Pallavas in 654 AD. and led a successful attack on Kanchipuram, the capital of Pallavas. The Rashtrakutas came to power in Karnataka including Badami around 757 AD and the town lost its importance. Later it was ruled by the Hoysalas.

Then it passed on to Vijayanagara empire, The Adil Shahis, Mughals, The Savanur Nawabs (They were vassals of Nizams and Marathas), The Marathas, Hyder Ali. The Britishers made it part of the Bombay Presidency.

Badami has eighteen inscriptions, among them some inscriptions are important. The first Sanskrit inscription in old Kannada script, on a hillock dates back to 543 CE, from the period of Pulakeshi I (Vallabheswara), the second is the 578 CE cave inscription of Mangalesha in Kannada language and script and the third is the Kappe Arabhatta records, the earliest available Kannada poetry in tripadi (three line) metre.One inscription near the Bhuthanatha temple also has inscriptions dating back to the 12th century in Jain rock-cut temple dedicated to the Tirtankara Adinatha.

Sri Nanundeswarar temple

Sri Nanundeswarar temple

Moolavar : Nanundeswarar
Urchavar : Chandrasekharar
Mother / Thayar : Parvathi
Old year : More than 1000 years old
District : Mysore, Karnataka

Sri Veerabadra in the temple is considered very important and famous. He is holding bow, arrow, sword, dagger and danda. Traditionally Mother Badrakali is the main deity with Lord in Veerabadra temples. Here, Mother Dakshayani occupies the prominence holding lotus bud in Her hand in standing form. Daksha, father of Dakshayani is right of the Lord. All the three are standing on a lotus shaped Peeta.

For total eliminations of sins following from past birth, for pardon for wrongs done unknowingly, devotees perform Panchamirtha abishek, offer betel leaves garland and perform archanas with vilwa. They offer curd rice as nivedhana. Also those affected by poisonous bites and suffering from prolonged illnesses pray here.

Devotees perform special abishek to Lord and Mother and do Angapradakshina.

Daksha with an intention of humiliating Lord Shiva, did not invite Him for a yajna he conducted. Mother Dakshayani, his daughter went to Her father furiously and demanded to stop the rituals but Daksha insulted her too. With a view to stop the Yajna, Dakshayani fell into the fire pit. Lord Shiva created Veerabadra from His fury and sent him to destroy the Yagna totally. Veerabadra not only destroyed the Yajna but took off the head of Daksha. Not satisfied, Veerabadra took Mother Dakshayani from the fire pit and danced ferociously keeping Her on his shoulders.

Daksha’s wife Prashudda Devi fell at the feet of Lord Shiva and begged for the life of husband Daksha and daughter Dakshayani. Lord Shiva, with all kindness to her prayer, restored both to life and granted Darshan to Daksha and Prasuddha Devi. Remembering this event, Sri Veerabadra graces darshan with Dakshayani in the temple.

The scar caused by sage Parasurama is visible on Shivalinga. As a tradition, rice abishek to Lord Shiva is performed only in the month of Aipasi-October-November, but it is a daily performance in this temple to Lord Nanjndeswara. It is said that Annabishekam is performed to Lord to reduce the venom element in Him as He destroyed a highly poisonous demon.

Also a medicine called Suganditha Sarkarai made of dry ginger, butter and sugar is offered to the Lord. It is believed that Sage Gautama performs midday puja to Lord in this temple. As Lord Nanjundeswara offers cure to all diseases of devotees, He is praised as Raja Vaidya – Royal Physician.

Mother Parvathi is in a separate shrine right of the Lord. In between the shrines of Lord and Mother, is the shrine of Lord Narayana whose wedding festival is celebrated in the month of Aavani-August-September. Lord Shiva conducts the marriage of Lord Narayana. Similarly, Shiva-Parvathi wedding is conducted by Lord Narayana. During summer, Lord and Mother visit the top floor of Vimana and go round. It is noteworthy that there are two Vilwa trees on both sides of the Vimana.

According to belief, Lord Shiva is facing Northeast direction-Eesanya corner. Hence, Nandhi the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva, to have the view of the Lord, is just on the side of northeast. As the very tower of the temple is regarded as Shiva Linga, there is a Nandhi outside the temple also. The third, Alankara Nandhi in the prakara is facing outside. Special pujas are performed to Aalankara Nandhi on Pradosha days (13th day of both new moon and full moon fortnights).

Lord Dakshinamurthy graces in the temple with His 14 disciples. There is a Nandhi in this shrine also.

The 24 forms of Lord Shiva, Maragatha Linga (emerald Linga) installed by Tippu Sultan, Vennai Ganapathy (butter Ganapathy), Lord Muruga in the midst of serpents, Lord Chandikeswara in standing form and the Navagrahas (9 planets) with weapons on a lotus peeta are the shrines a devotee cannot afford to miss.

A demon, Kesian by name and terribly venomous was harassing the Devas the subjects of the celestial world. They appealed to Lord Shiva for protection. Lord advised them to conduct a yajna in this place of confluence of three rivers Kapila, Koundini and Manikarnika and throw the demon in the fire pit when he came there. Devas followed the instructions of Lord. When the demon came there, they pretended to welcome him and threw him in the fire. Lord appeared there in the form of Agni-Fire and destroyed him. As prayed by the Devas, Lord stayed in the place in the name of Nanjundeswara as He destroyed the demon poison personified. Nanju means poison.

In the days that followed, this Linga disappeared. Sage Parasurama, seeking relief for the sin he committed by killing his mother Renukadevi, came here to install a Shiva Linga for worship and began curing the place. When the sage was removing the bushes, he found a Linga bleeding. For causing the injury to Lord, he was about to end himself, when Lord appeared and granted darshan. Parasurama raised the temple in the place.

Sri Kumbeswarar temple

Sri Kumbeswarar temple

Moolavar : Kumbeswarar
Amman / Thayar : Mangalanayaki
Old year : More than 2000 years old
District : Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu

The glory of Lord of the temple is praised by Saints Tirugnana Sambandar and Tirunavukkarasar in their hymns. This is the 26th Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns.

Theerthavari festival is celebrated in the Mahamagam tank on Masi Magam (February-March). Sabthasthanam festival in Chithirai (April-May) when the Lord and Mother visit 7 places at a distance of 20 kilometres. Tirukalyanam (wedding festival) in Vaikasi (May-June), Tirumanjanam in Aani (June-July), Aadi perukku and Aadi Pooram (July-August), Panguni festival (March-April) with special pujas, Butter pot festival on the Aswathi star day in Masi (February-March), on the 8th day, and the procession of Panchamurthis are the festivals grandly celebrated in the temple. Masimagam is the biggest festival in Tamilnadu.

The Pottramarai tank is in front of the temple. Those visiting the temple during the Mahamagam festival (famous festival celebrated once in 12 years as the Kumbh Mela in North) take bath in the tank. The story goes that the 9 divine maidens had a dip in this tank after their bath in the Mahamagam tank. As the Linga is of sand, no abishek is performed. Only Tirumanjanam is applied. The Linga is broad at the bottom and narrows at the top in the shape of a needle. There is a Nadaswaram (a musical instrument) made of stone which is well maintained. A lion carrying some stones on head in the front hall of the temple stands as an example of the Tamil sculpture art.

Aavani covering August-September is the Malayalam New Year Day when Sun will be in Leo that determines the weather of the year throughout. The practice of fasting during the Sundays of this month praying to Sun and Nagaraja for protection of the crops from creatures as rat etc. is followed since ancient days.

During the devastating pralaya floods, Lord Shiva placed all ‘creation materials’ in a pot (Kumba) and saved them, hence Lord is praised as Kumbeswarar. Special pujas are performed in this temple on Aavani Sundays in August-September.

Devotees enter the temple through the Rajagopuram, pass the long Mandap, Bali Peeta and the Kodi Maram (flag post), seek the blessings and Sri Nandi Deva and worship Lord Kumbeswarar. They then go through the prakara worshipping the 63 Nayanmars, Saptha Mathas, Kamadenu, Bhava Linga, Mahalinga, Lord Dakshinamurthy and Lord Valanchuzhi Vinayaka. They then have to proceed to Mother’s shrine through the shrines for Lords Bikshadana, Muruga, Akshayalinga, Sahasralinga, Mothers Annapoorani, Gajalakshmi, Mahalakshmi, Saraswathi and Lord Brahmma. There is a glass room where Lord is in a reclining posture. Then are the shrines of Mother Ashtabhuja Durga, Navaneetha Vinayaka, Kiradhamurthy, Bhairava, Kala Bhairava, Jurakeswarar, Sastha, Great soul Govinda Dishithar, Nagambal. After worshipping Mother Mangalambika, devotees leave the temple after worshipping at the Navagraha (nine planets). It is believed that following this worship procedure would bring all the boons wished by the devotees.

Devotees pray to Mother Mangalambika for distinction in education and seek wedding and child boons, for progress in trade and profession and prosperity. They worship mother with red flowers on Sundays in Aavani month-August-September.

Lord Shiva announced that the Mango brought by Sage Narada would be presented to one who wins a marathon round of the whole world. Lord Vinayaka circumambulated His divine parents Shiva and Parvathy and established the fact that world means Father and Mother and going around them fulfilled the condition of competition. He won the mango. Based on this philosophy, the prakara structure of the temple covers both Lord and Mother shrines. In other temples, the prakaras are separate. There is no abishek to the presiding deity. The Linga is broad in base and sharp at the top as a needle point. The stones of the temple have musical tones. There is a lion sculpture in the Navarathri Mandap holding long stones on its head.

The Pottramari tank – tank with golden lotus flowers – is in front of the temple. Those coming for the bath in Mahamagam tank bathe in this tank also. After their bath in the former tank, it is said that the Navakannikas bathed in this tank also. Hence, this is practiced. Kumbamuni Siddha is in the outer corridor of the temple. Devotees pray here for relief from the adverse aspects of planets.

Mother Goddess is praised as Mangala Nayaki and Mantra Peeta Nalathal. Sage Tirugnana Sambandar in his hymns had praised Mother as Valar Mangai. Lord Shiva parted half of His body with Mother Parvathi, He had also parted 36 crore of His Mantra Shakti-power with Her. Mother also has Her share of 36 crore Shakti and the share of Lord makes it to 72 crore. Thus Mother is praised as Mantra Peeteswari. Of the 51 Shakti Peetas, this the first place. She wears the yellow sari with turmeric on the face and the Kumkum on the forehead. She glitters with all mercy.

The Mahamaha tank measures 3 acres situated in the heart of the Kumbakonam town. During the Pralaya floods, when nectar flowed from the pot, Lord Shiva made it fall in a pit on earth. This pit is the Mahamagam tank. The Kumbakonam Mahamagam festival is celebrated once in 12 years on a Poornima-full moon day when Jupiter enters Kumba-Acquarius and Sun Simha zodiac signs. On this day, other holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Narmada, Saraswathi, Cauvery, Kumari, Bayodhini and Sarayu also bath in the tank to cleanse themselves of their sins. It is also believed that those bathing on this day in the tank, takes the benefit to seven families related to them.

Lord Vinayaka of the temple is praised as Aadhi Vinayaka as He had arrived here well before Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi to the place. Lord Muruga had received the Mantra Upadesa from Mother Mantra Peeteswari before waging the war against Surapanma. He is praised by Saint Arunagiriar in his Tirupugazh hymns. Lord Shiva came here in the guise of a hunter (Kiradha) and broke the nectar pot here. Special pujas are dedicated to Him on the Magam star days by devotees to realize their wishes.

When the world was facing destruction due to the devastating tsunami, Lord Brahmma approached Lord Shiva to know wherefrom He had to restart creation. Lord Shiva suggested that Brahmma make a magic pot with the sand collected from various sacred places and float it in the flood water and also taught the procedure of leaving it on the water. The pot stopped at a place. Lord Shiva shot an arrow on the pot. The nectar spilled and spread on all directions. That nectar mixed with the sand and became a Linga. This Linga is Kumbeswarar.

Chowalloor Siva Kshethra, Kerala

Chowalloor Siva Kshethra, Kerala

The ancient Chowalloor Siva Kshethra or Mahadeva Temple, as it is called is famed to be over centuries old. Located `approximately three kilometers towards east from the world famous pilgrims paradise Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple is yet another significant pilgrim centre for saints and God seekers alike. Considered to be one of the oldest 108 sivalayas consecrated by Lord Parasurama, the fascinating legends linked to the Chowalloor Siva Temple bear testimony to the ancestry and age of this Temple.

History

Lord Siva, the deity of Thrissur Sree Vadakunnatha Temple is said to have manifested himself on an umbrella carried by one of his beloved devotees, a pious old Namboothiri from Chowalloor Mazhavannoor Mana (Illam of Namboothiri), who used to walk all the way to Thrissur to have daily Darshan of the Lord. When his devotee become too old to walk and worship him regularly, the Lord is said to have accompanied him to his native home in Chowalloor. Later a temple was constructed at the very place where the Lord appeared to his devotee.

Unique Features

The devotees have the good fortune to worship Siva family a rare phenomenon (Lord Siva, Sree Parvathy, Sree Ganesh, Sree Subrahmanian (Murukan), Sree Ayyappa and Sree Anjaneya) Which is not seen else where in kerala. (if not in too many Temples in Kerala).

In the TWO TIERED round Sreekovil or Sanctum Sanctorum, the Swayambhoo idol of lord Siva is seen facing west and that of his consort Sreeparvathy facing east affectionately showering blessings in all directions. The Sapthamathrukkal, precious black stone idols symbolizing the seven divine Mothers are also worshipped in the Temple in the form of Bimbas made of Krishnasila, yet another rare phenomenon.

Sri Ambe Ma temple

Sri Ambe Ma temple

The antiquity of the temple dates back to more than 5,000 years. The tonsuring ceremony for Lord Krishna when He was a three year child in Gokhula was celebrated in this temple by Nandagopa and Yasodha. Since then, only male children’s tonsuring ceremony is observed by parents in this temple. It is not followed for the aged and female children. The belief is that the male child would enjoy a prosperous life filled with wisdom as Lord Krishna if this ceremony for male children is celebrated the next day of its birth day.

Sri Ambe Ma Ambica temple, Ambaji, Gujarat state.

In front of the Ambica shrine, in a pit-like place there are idols of Nageswarar, Hanuman, Nagarajar. We can do the abishek and flower pujas ourselves directly.

The hundi is 10 feet long made of copper. It is not vertical as in our temples. Contributions are put in. Kumkum and Laddu are offered as Prasad. Lord Someswarar temple is within 8 km around this temple. Old Ambaji temple is in Kappar Mountain 4 km from here. There is rope car facility to this 900 step temple. Only the feet of Ambica and a lamp are in the temple. Idols made of marbles are available for sale.

Devotees pray in the faith that male children would be wise and prosperous as Lord Krishna, if they tonsured the next day of their birth day

This is altogether a different Ambica Temple where only a Yantra is placed on a Lion Vahan which is fixed in marble plate decorated with jewels as Ambica. This is called Vishayantra, with an Ambica appearance.

This is also called Sri Yantra. As Sri represents wealth, it is believed that worshipping this Yantra would bless the devotee with prosperity. This is made of gold and placed on a tortoise vahan. There are 51 letters on the Yantra. Devotees are not allowed to go close to the yantra for darshan as the devotee cannot bear its power. Hence, a bandage cloth is tied around the eyes of those wishing to go close.

The shrine is small in size. The mandap and the prakara are made of marbles aesthetically. Peepal tree-Arasamaram is the sacred tree of the temple. They call the Mother Ambe Ma and Chachar Chowkvali. The Kalas on the 103 feet tall tower weighs 3 tonnes – 3000 kilo and is covered by gold.

The antiquity of the temple dates back to more than 3000 years. It is said that Lord Krishna’s tonsuring ceremony was celebrated in this temple when He was three years old and playing in Gokhulam. Nandagopa and Yasodha took him to this temple then for the purpose. Hence, only male children alone are tonsured in the temple and not female children and the aged.

Vinayaka worship is very popular in north. Lord Vinayaka graces in the shrine with His consorts Siddhi and Buddhi and sons Shub and Laab and with their sons Kushal and Sam (Vinayaka’s grandsons). The red Sendhura mixed with oil is applied on Vinayaka according to northern tradition.

Demon Mahishasura had the boon from Agnideva that he could not be destroyed by any weapon. Proud of his boon, he rounded up Indraloka and his greed drove him to capture Vaikunda and Kailash. Because of his strong boon, even Shiva and Narayana could not kill him. They sought the help of Mother Bhagavathi who would destroy any one misusing the boon power. Mother Bhagavathi destroyed the demon, stayed in this place and is blessing the devotees.

According to another story, Sri Rama and Lakshmana met Sage Srungi and sought his guidance to reach Lanka to rescue Mother Sita. He advised the princes to worship Ambaji Ambe Ma for guidance. Ambika blessed them with a weapon (astra in Sanskrit) called Ajai to conquer Ravana and rescue Sita.

Sri Veeratteswar temple Moolavar : Veeratteswar, Kruthivasar Amman / Thayar

Sri Veeratteswar temple

Moolavar : Veeratteswar, Kruthivasar
Amman / Thayar : Iangilai Nayaki
Old year : More than 2000 years old
Historical Name : Tharuka Vanam
City : Thiruvaluvoor, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu.

Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthi. Of the Atta Veera sthalas, this temple is the sixth in the rank. This is the only Shiva temple where devotees can have the Feet Darshan of Lord.

There are five wells in the holy spring-theerthas of the temple known as Pancha Mukha wells. In his celebrated hymns, Saint Tirugnana Sambandar had made special mention about this temple. Lord Vinayaka of the temple is praised as Selva Vinayaka.

Majority of the devotees seek wedding and child boons from the Lord. People use to bathe in the holy spring in Lord’s shrine on new moon days and pray for removal of evil effects on their children. Lord Gaja Samhara Murthi is the special Lord of the temple. A Yantra is installed behind this shrine where people pray for total release from spells and witchcrafts and other such evil magic. People praying to presiding deity Kruthivasar are blessed with mental peace. People also pray for employment, progress in trade and profession, promotions also.

Devotees perform archanas to Lord after having a bath in the holy spring on new moon day-Amavasya. Those seeking wedding boon offer Kalyana Malai with conch and Kalasa abisheks. They also cover Lord with sandal paste. Abisheks are offered in rice flour, turmeric, cosmetic powder, oil, milk, curd, green coconut, panchamirtha, lime fruit juice, honey and sandal mixtures. Some devotees arrange Annadhana-feeding, distribute nivedhana offered to Lord to other devotees and perform usual abishek and aaradhanas.

Lord Gaja Samhara Murthi is praised as the Special Lord of the temple. The idol-sculpture is so realistic showing the tearing of the elephant (Gaja) keeping His feet on its head and wearing its skin. The idol is huge in size. Mother Uma is holding Her child Lord Muruga in fear. Lord Muruga as a child points His finger on Lord.

Pancha Brahmma Thertham (spring) is in between the Lord and Nandhi. People bathe here for child boon. Saraswathi Theertham blesses the devotees with wisdom and high education. Yantra Pratishta is behind Lord Gaja Samhara Murthi as the Rahasya Pratishta in Chidambaram. Samahara Murthi graces from the Gnana Sabha-Court of Wisdom. The feet darshan of Lord Shiva is available to devotees in this temple only.

Sani Bhagwan in the temple appears fighting with King Vikrama Raja. Defeated by Sani, the king fell in the theertha the holy spring. Bathing in the spring, the king worshipped Lord for relief. Sani Bhagwan sought the pardon of Lord. His leg got damaged. There is a separate shrine for Sani in the temple holding a bow.

The structure of the temple is different here. It begins from Nandhi followed by a tank, then the sanctum sanctorum. Of the nine dances of Lord Shiva, Gaja Samhara dance is praised as Oordhva Thandava.

48,000 sages had performed penance in this place gaining wisdom. Of the Theerthas in the temple, the one before Lord’s shrine known as Patala Ganga or Eesana Theertham is praised as the most sacred in the temple.

As the place eluded (Vazhuvudhal in Tamil) destruction by pralaya floods, the place is called Vazhuvur. The name in scriptures is Tharuka Vanam.

The sages in the Tharukavanam grew proud that no divine grace was required as every thing they get came from their penance and own power. Their wives too shared their opinion. To teach them a lesson and erase their pride, Lord Shiva came there as a Bikshadana the beggar and Lord Vishnu as an enticing woman. The sages lost themselves at the sight of the Mohini and their wives on Lord Shiva’s handsomeness. Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva created Aiyanar and disappeared. Realizing that they were cheated, they performed a yajna and brought out Fire, tiger, deer, axe snakes, demon Muyalaga to attack Lord Shiva. Failed in their attempts, they finally created a wild elephant to kill Him. Lord Bikshadana entered into the belly of the elephant. The world became dark. Mother held Lord Muruga in fear. Lord churned the belly of the elephant which cried aloud unable to bear the pain. He came out dancing tearing its belly. The sages fell at the feet of Lord and sought His pardon. As Lord Shiva killed the Gaja-elephant, He is praised as Gaja Samhara Murthi.