Context:
Recently, Shreenath Veer Mhaskoba festival is being celebrated during the Magh Poornima (full moon of February) for 10 days.
About Shrinath Veer Mhaskoba Festival
- The name “Shrinath Veer Mhaskoba” refers to one of Lord Shiva’s avatars.
- The Shepard community in the western Maharashtra region worships it.
- Celebrates Lord Shiva’s marriage (marriage of two Gods: Mhaskoba and Mata Jogeshwari) and lasts for 10 days.
- The day of wedding is celebrated with the scattering of red paint and flowers all around during the festivities called Bhandara.
- Celebrated is attended by the residents of Veer village, located on the banks of the Purnaganga river, 50 km from Pune.
- The festival is held during the Magh Poornima (February full moon), with the final Sunday being the most important day.
About Veer Mhaskoba:
- Shrinath Mhaskoba is the Hindu God Shiva’s Kaal Bhairava avatar.
- He is also worshipped by the tribal communities of Mhaswad, Borban, and Sonari.
About Kaal Bhairava Avatar:
- He is a powerful Shiva manifestation, or avatar, connected to annihilation in Shaivism.
- Bhairava is the symbol of Supreme Reality, also known as Para Brahman, in the Trikasystem.
- As he uses a rod or danda to chastise offenders, Bhairava is also known as Dandapani (one who holds the Danda in hand) and Svasva, which means “whose chariot is a dog” in Hinduism.
- He is also known as Heruka, Vajrabhairava, and Yamantaka in Vajrayana Buddhism.
- He is seen as a fierce manifestation of the bodhisattva Majur. Together with Tibetan Buddhism, he is admired in India, Nepal, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Japan.