Thave, Bihar, October 11 (Daily Kiran) : The auspicious festival of Sharadiya Navratri has begun, celebrating the divine presence of Goddess Durga across India. Among the many temples dedicated to her, the Thave Bhawani Temple in Bihar stands out, attracting visitors from far and wide.
Located just a few kilometers from the town of Gopalganj, the Thave Bhawani Temple is not an ordinary shrine; it is regarded as a “jagrat shaktipeeth,” a place of active divine energy. This temple is steeped in a mysterious history that intertwines the fervent devotion of a humble follower with the pride of a king, creating a narrative that still sends chills down the spines of those who hear it.
According to local legends, around 400 years ago, the region was ruled by King Manan Singh of the Chero dynasty. He prided himself on being the greatest devotee of Goddess Durga, refusing to acknowledge anyone else as a true follower within his realm. During his reign, a devastating famine struck the land, leaving the populace desperate for food.
In the Thave forests, a devoted follower named Rahshu Bhagat lived. Despite his humble and impoverished status, his devotion was profound. During the severe famine, Rahshu Bhagat prayed to the goddess, and through her grace, he discovered a miraculous way to provide sustenance. By tying a snake’s rope around the necks of tigers, he would gather wild grass, which astonishingly transformed into rice at night. He selflessly distributed this food among the starving people, saving countless lives.
News of Rahshu’s miraculous deeds soon reached the royal palace, igniting King Manan Singh’s arrogance. Unable to tolerate the idea that a mere commoner could be a greater devotee than himself, the king summoned Rahshu to court. He accused Rahshu of being a fraud and demanded that he summon the goddess to the palace to prove his devotion.
Rahshu pleaded with the king, warning him that forcing the goddess to appear would invite destruction. He cautioned that if she manifested before them, the earth would split, and the entire kingdom would face ruin. However, the king, blinded by pride, ignored Rahshu’s warnings and threatened him with punishment.
In despair, Rahshu began meditating on the goddess. According to folklore, as he prayed, the goddess traveled from Kamakhya in Assam, stopping at various places like Kolkata and Patna along the way. Despite Rahshu’s repeated warnings to the king, Manan Singh remained obstinate.
When the goddess finally arrived at Thave, chaos erupted. The king’s palace began to crumble, and amidst the turmoil, a terrifying roar echoed. It is said that Rahshu’s head split open, and from it emerged the goddess’s hand, adorned with a divine bracelet.
In that moment, the king met his demise, and Rahshu attained liberation. The goddess established her presence forever in the Thave forests. Today, remnants of King Manan Singh’s palace still exist.
A unique aspect of this temple is that devotees first visit Rahshu Bhagat’s shrine before approaching the goddess. It is believed that worshipping Rahshu Bhagat is essential; without it, the worship of Mother Thave is considered incomplete.
Today, millions of pilgrims from across the nation and beyond, especially from Nepal, Uttar Pradesh, and Bengal, flock to this sacred site. Grand fairs are held during the Sharadiya and Chaitra Navratri, where special offerings, particularly the “Pidkia” prasad, are made to the goddess.
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