By John B Monteiro

Bantwal, Mar 16: Shri Rajarajeshwari Temple at Polali is in the limelight again because of its, perhaps, longest duration annual festival, stretching over one month, including its five-day chendu (football match) between two clusters of villages, before the conclusion of the month-long program. The dwajaharona (hoisting the temple flag), took place on March 14, 22 night. The chendu enthusiasts will have to wait till its start on April 7 and end on April 11.

Polali is more known for its annual chendu (football match) rather than its ancientness and sthalapurana. Shri Kshetra Polali, a scholarly book in Kannada, written by Polali Shankaranarayana Shastri, deals with many aspects of the temple, specially its deity, its founding and its founders. Like all great temples, the temple at Polali is on the bank of a river – Falguni River, popularly called Gurpur River. According to some accounts, the great flood of 1446 washed away the whole township of Polali, including palaces, leaving intact only the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. It is said to be of very ancient origin. It seems to find mention variously from the dawn of the Christian era. Shastri notes that since the temple finds mention in Markandeya Purana, its origin can date back to 5000 years. It is also noted that the Chinese traveler, Fayian, who traveled through India in 6th century AD, has written that “In the whole of Hindustan I have not come across such powerful image (Murti) of any deity”. The clay statue of the deity at Polali, at 9 ft. height, is said to be the tallest such in India.

Shastri’s backgrounder on Rajarajeshwari is interesting. We can briefly touch upon how her image came to be installed. In ancient times, Suratha Maharaj was ruling the land. He had a fight with a tribe of hunters called Kolavidvanshi and Suratha got defeated. He surrendered and retreated to the safety of his palace. Realising the weakness of the king, his ministers took control of the army and administration. Sensing danger to his life, Suratha fled to the forest. There he went into an ashram where the rishi, Sumedha Maharshi, welcomed him. The king explained his situation to the rishi. The rishi offered to host him in the ashram. But, the king kept on worrying about what he had lost and left behind.

Then, another man reached the rishi’s ashram – a Vaisha by name Samadhi. He was rich; but was driven out of home by his family which was after his riches. Like the king, the Vaisha also kept remembering and worrying about his family. Both could not understand why they were concerned about those who had rejected them. The rishi guides them to know their true situation and says that it is the impact of Adimahamaye. They request the rishi to enlighten them about this deity. A long story ensued at the end of which the rishi advised the two to surrender themselves to the Devi who, he said, would save and bless them. He also gave them a mantra to recite.

The king and the Vaisha went to the nearby river, made clay images of the Devi and her other companions and installed them chanting the given mantra, starting from Namodeviya Mahadevia and commenced the worship. Then the two started thapasya continuously for three years. This made the Devi happy who appearing before them and offered to give them the boon of their desire. The king asked for a kingdom in his next life which was unconquerable by others. As for this life, he asked to be given back his lost kingdom. The Vaisha did not want any worldly wealth but only moksha. These boons were promptly granted. The Vaisha goes on a long pilgrimage and in due time attained moksha. As for the king, his ministers came to him pleading to him to become the king again and informing him that they had already defeated the enemies.

So, even if you are not religiously inclined, and only a sports-lover, pls check the dates and enjoy the 6-day unique Chendu.