Monday, Mar 26, 2007
A Temple for Demon King Ravana in Jodhpur
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 Burning of Ravana effigy on Dussehra. Photo © Janmeja Singh Johl. Hindus in Jodhpur, who claim the Demon-King "Ravana" of epic Ramayana as an ancestor, are constructing a temple in his honour.
About 200 Hindu families of the Mudgal Gotrahere (community) here, have decided to construct the temple.
They believe that Ravana should be worshipped as he was superhuman, a Brahmin and also the king of the three worlds.
Locals also believe that Ravana's wife, Mandodari, hailed from Mandore, which was the ancient capital of Jodhpur.
"Ravana's Temple is being built since his ancestors hailed from Jodhpur. He also got married here. There is a temple of a Goddess where Ravana used to worship and that is the reason a temple dedicated to him is being built. For over two decades, the plan to come up with this temple was thought of. Now, we have found a good artist and he is busy sculpting the idol," said Mamlera Dave, President, Akshya Joyti Anusandhan Kendra, Jodhpur.
Artisans are working day and night on the statues for the temples, which are being sculpted out of special Jodhpuri stone.
"I have made many idols of Gods and Goddesses but this is the first time I am making sculptures of someone, who is not regarded as God. It does not matter to me that I am making a sculpture of Ravana. It is just a sculpture for me. I just want to make more and more idols and statues so that people see and find them interesting. I am also doing this to save the art, which I have inherited from my forefathers," said Chunaram, a sculptor.
The temple is likely to be completed in six months, making it the first such temple in north-west India.
South India is believed to have a couple of temples dedicated to Ravana. (ANI)
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