Rajim Kumbh and Rajiv Lochan Mandir The Hallmarks of Rajim

Rajim is one among the ancient cities of Chhattisgarh and it existed ever since the age of Vedas. There are more than one mythological stories on how the godly city Rajim came to existence. The city embraces the confluence of three rivers Chitrotpala (Mahanadi), Pairi and Sondur, a sangam similar to Allahabad, India. Hence, Rajim gets its popular name ‘Prayag of Chhattisgarh’ and like Allahabad, Kumbh is organized every year at this place. In addition, the city also host one of an ancient temple Rajiv Lochan that dates to 7th Century. It’s been said that this temple is an earthy abode of lord Vishnu in avatar of Lord Rajiv Lochan. Surely this city has many mysteries and the most rumoured is, it’s not just a saying that lord Vishnu resides here… he really does.

How to Reach Rajim

Rajim is about an hour and a half journey from Raipur on NH43. The national highway from Abhanpur forks to Rajim on sharp left and Dhamtari on the other side. After 30 mins of endless fields on either side of the narrow road you’ll reach at the welcome gate of Rajim, Gariyaband. Drive until you see a bridge. When visible, then you’re just minutes away from destination. A sharp U-turn as the bridge ends and you’ll find yourself driving along a bank of the popular confluence – Triveni Sangam of Rajim, Chhattisgarh.

The road ends at 7th century shrines. On a regular day, the premise is very peaceful. The temples in white dominates the hue of blue sky, a holy river on the other side and small shops selling items for aarti and pooja. But if you’ve arrived here during the time of Rajim Kumbh, it’ll be a different kind of peace. The one that you get in the middle of a crowd.

If you’re planning to visit Rajim Kumbh 2019 then it is scheduled from 15th February to 1st March. Prefer to book your stay in Raipur closer to the airport area. So far what we know about Rajim Kumbh 2019 is that it’ll be called Punni Mela. About 13 akahadas will be participating in the event this year.

Rajiv Lochan Mandir

The Rajiv Lochan Mandir was built in 7th Century during the king Vilasatunga’s reign. The temple has meticulous sculptures of many deities, gods and goddesses on the columns, at the entrance and around the premise. Inside the main shrine resides lord Vishnu in the form of god Rajiv Lochan. There are many different avatars of Vishnu around the temple’s premise. What’s really intriguing at this place is the statue of lord Buddha meditating under the Bodh Tree, finely sculpted on a black rock. There is a sculpture of lord Hanuman in orange paint right next to him. Perhaps a hint of time when religions were closing in. In the same premise is temple of goddess Sati and many other shrines dedicated to various deities.

Other Shrines

Bhuteshwarnath and Pancheshwarnath temples are near the bank of the river. In addition, Kuleshwarnath mandir is located right in the middle of this confluence of three rivers. Kuleshwarnath temple is an example of ancient engineering marvel as its makers correctly predicted the height of foundation from the river bed. Hence, even at the max capacity the temple never drowns. In a flood during 1967 the temple did drown under water, however there was hardly any damage to the shrine when the water level restored. The engineers in those days were not just great artist but must’ve been smart scientists.

Another fact that makes this place quite interesting is the temple of Rajim Telin. Who was Rajim Telin? Why her name has Rajim in it? Where is Padmavatipuri on the map now? We’ll come to this story within this very travelogue. But as this story is quite long let’s first talk about Kumbh Mela first.

Rajim Kumbh

Kumbh ka Mela, every Indian must’ve heard about it. Bollywood must’ve crossed your mind? Well, this article is on the serious side, so let’s get back to the topic. Kumbh mela is among the most holy festivals of India. Rajim Kumbh started in Chhattisgarh from the anomaly that occurs at Sangam in Allahabad, Utter Pradesh. The has confluence of three rivers also known as Treveni Sangam that lead to the commencement of this holy pilgrimage in Rajim, Chhattisgarh. Rajim Kumbh is organized every year since 2007 and the celebration has now gone massive.

Every year Rajim Kumbh is organized during mid-February and it ends on March during Mahashivratri. The gathering attracts thousands of saints and devotees from across the country. The pilgrimage is one of its kind of celebration that happens in Chhattisgarh. Everyday the Royal Bath, Triveni Sangam Bath, Shobha Yatra and Archana is religiously followed. It is accompanied by a visit to Rajiv Lochan and Kuleshwarnath temples.

Kumbh Mela connects to a deeply rooted believe in Hinduism of that of Moksha. It’s attained when human is cleansed of all sins. It’s then when he/she breaks the chain of body and the spirit, finds liberty in the form of Moksha. The Kumbh is celebrated in every 12 years in Allahabad at Prayag – confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati. Conventionally the Kumbh was celebrated at Haridwar, Allahabad, Nasik and Ujjain. Since, Rajim Kumbh started almost a decade ago, it is also known as the 5th Kumbh. It’s the same ideology that taking a bath in Triveni Sangam will cleanse all sins and lead one to the path of mokhsa.

Read more about Allahabad and Kumbh here

Mythologies of Rajim

Formation of Rajiv Lochan Mandir

Once upon a time there was a king Ratankar, who was trying to perform yagya but the demons were obstructing his prayers. In the meanwhile, a crocodile Grah attacked his elephant Gajendra. Gajendra was fighting for his life and prayed to lord Vishnu for mercy. Looking at Gajendra in grave pain, lord Vishnu immediately came to earth and rescued him. Gajendra offered a lotus to lord Vishnu for saving his life. In the sculpture of Rajiv Lochan one can see elephant gifting lotus to the chaturburj (four arms) Vishnu. Seen nowhere else in India.

The king Ratnakar made a wish to Lord Vishnu if he could reside at this place for darshan everyday. Lord Vishnu wanted to make sure that the king and his elephant are protected. He asked lord Vishvakarma to build him an earthy abode at a place where this lotus touches the ground. Thus Rajiv Lochan temple was built, upon the nectars of heavenly lotus. And the 5 petals gave rise to Panchkoshi Dham Kuleshwarnath (Rajim), Champeshwarnath (Champaranya), Bramhkeshwarnath (Bramhani), Pandeshwarnath (Fingeshwarnath) and Kopeshwarnath (Kopra). Lord Vishnu found his abode and resides in this temple in avatar of Rajiv Lochan.

How Padmavatipuri reincarnated to Rajim?

Long back there use to be a city Padmavatipuri in Dakshin Kosala which was doing good in business. Owing to the confluence of three rivers the city was blessed with nutritious soil. Perfect to sow oilseed and it’s farming was central to many living here. The Rajiv Lochan temple was now surrounded by jungles. A king heard about this famous temple and decided to pay a visit. Looking at the sculpture he thought why not take it back to his estate and erect it. The king ignored local’s objection. While crossing the river he faced a storm and drowned.

Rajim Telani who use to work in the oil seed farm found the rock next day. She though it can be an amazing fit to her manual mill, as it requires smooth huge rock to process the oilseed. She was right, the mill gave excellent results and her business picked up in no time.

Gold Exchange

The king of Padmavatipuri, Jagpal use to pray at Rajiv Lochan temple although it had no idol. When the king learned about the god’s idol at Rajim’s mill, he offered gold equal to the weight of the rock in exchange to her. Well, the first attempt to weigh gold failed. Lord Rajiv Lochan himself directed the King Rajpal to drop his greed, add few basil leaf while measuring. The king followed lord’s advice and this time, he did weigh gold equal to the idol and gave it to Rajim for exchange. The idol was erected again at the Rajiv Lochan temple. One fine day while praying to god Rajim Telin attained moksha. Since then, the ancient city of Padmavatipuri was called Rajim.