Parashuram Jayanti 2023: The Warrior Ascetic Who Restored Dharma On Earth

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Situated about 175 km from Berhampur, in the middle of the eastern ghats in the Gajpati district, the Mahendragiri hills or Mahendra Parvat stands at an altitude of 5,000 feet from above the ground level. Mahendra hills itself reminds us of the famous Mahendra Parvata of times of yore which was in the eastern direction.

Coincidentally the Mahendragiri hills fit all the descriptions of Mahendraparvatha. Known also as the Southern Amarnath of Orissa, it is connected with mythological incidents from Ramayana.

Known as Kula Parvata along with other mountain ranges such as Sahyadri and Malaya, it is the revered home of Parshurama who is believed to have penanced for a long time here. This is where Chiranjeevi Parshuram is doing his Tapasya even today. One can also find the temples built by Pandavas here. Shivratri is a festival that is grandly celebrated here, as Lord Shiva was the guru and God of Parashuram.
Parshuram The Immortal

Parshuram, who is blessed with immortality, belonged to the Treta yuga. He was credited with the annihilation of 21 kshatriya generations, and entrusted the responsibility of restoring dharma to Shri Ram, when he proved his valour by breaking the Shiv Dhanus after he encountered him in a duel, face to face.

Parshuram Retires At MahendraGiri

Recognizing that Rama was none other than Lord Vishnu who had taken an incarnation here on earth, Parshuram realised that he had no role to play anymore as Rama, the next incarnation of Vishnu had stepped in. So Parshuram decided to give away his ascetic powers and his Lethal weapons to Lord Ram before he travelled to Mahendragiri to continue his penance which had been paused due to the continuous kshatriya-killing spree. He went on to do penance at Mahendragiri.

It is believed that he offered his divine weapons to Bhishma, Karna and Dronacharya in the Dwapara Yuga. However, he has another commitment to fulfil, that of training Kalki at the end of Kaliyuga and helping him revive dharma by eliminating evil. Satya yuga would start again after this period and Parshurama will be promoted to the status of Saptarshi in the next yuga.

Parshurama And The Three Yugas

After annihilating the Kshatriya race, he handed over his possession of the entire earth to Kasyapa, and started on a very austere penance by settling at Mahendragiri where he even now dwells.
When Dwapara Yuga arrived, Dronacharya, the famous guru of pandavas, travelled up to Mahendragiri to learn the weaponry from Parshuram who actually declined to teach him, instead, gave away all his weapons saying that he wanted to retire from being a warrior. At this juncture, Karna wanted Brahmaastra from Drona but his request was rejected by Drona. Disappointed Karna asked about a solution to which Drona advised to go to Mahendragiri to learn and get the Brahmastra from him.

Pandavas' Historic Meeting With Parshurama

During exile, Pandavas, as they were wandering everywhere, reached Mahendra Mountain to see a sage called Akritavrana. Akrit varna tell them that a sage called Parshurama who stays there in the Mahendragiri is omniscient, and knows about pandavas arrival there already. Since he is pleased with pandavas, he will manifest himself before them, he said. Saints met him on the fourteenth and eighth day of Shukla paksha regularly. He could be recognized by his deerskin and matted hair."

Amba, the princess of Kashi, also had visited this area and prayed to Rishi Hotravahana for a solution to her problem. Rama along with other rishis, Gandharvas and Apsaras stayed there at Mahendraparvata.
All these incidents throughout the span of three yugas are proof enough for Parshuram's immortality and the fact that he still is alive amongst us.

Pandavas built temples here which can be reached through three specific routes. Some travellers who have visited this place have reported surprising incidents of seeing Parshurama wandering there in the mountains even today.

It is observed during February and March. Several devotees visit this place from around the globe and trek up to the top. District administrators are taking the right measures to bring this place into spotlight and make this a famous pilgrimage centre.