Legends never fail to attract people’s attention. Even the most cynical non-believers are sure to get their curiosity tickled with the incredulous stories that make up legends. The more unbelievable it is the better reception it gets. However, we can’t take away from the fact that there is no evidence to prove it. It solely stands on two legs- our vivid imagination or penchant for exaggeration and the mystique we seek in life.But, it’s not my penchant for exaggeration that makes me say that history owes its appeal to these legends. There wouldn’t be as much hoo-haa about Hanuman if he hadn’t lifted the Sanjeevani Mountain or flown all the way to Sri Lanka to rescue Sita. Similarly, Ravana wouldn’t have been the top villain in history if it weren’t for his 10 heads that add to his menacing quality. While puritans believe that history should be based on facts and not fiction. It is ok to indulge in tales once in a while.Once such story, a certified legend (no written proof only hearsay) that has been passed on from generation to generation as a bedtime story is one about the Raagigudda Temple located in Jayanagar 9th block. Legends goes that the region that is now the temple was an agricultural land under the administration of a local chieftain.One year they were blessed with a bumper crop of raagi. The surplus crop was celebrated with pomp and show and poojas were performed all over the region. The chieftain’s share of raagi was piled up as high as a hillock. As per tradition at the chieftain’s house, his daughter-in-law had to perform a special pooja and distribute raagi to everyone. People gathered and the pooja was performed. When the daughter-in-law started giving away the raagi, at a distance were heard three daasayyas (beggars) begging for alms. They were approaching the gathering. To the devout daughter-in-law, the three daasayyas approaching seemed like the Hindu Gods Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Eshwara. Considering this auspicious, she thought it fitting to share a portion of the raagi with them. No sooner had she filled a basket with raagi to give them than her mother-in-law stopped her. Saddened by the behaviour of her mother-in-law, she pleaded with her to let her do her duty. Her mother-in-law wouldn’t budge. Her sadness soon turned to anger. “What is the use of this God given raagi if there is none for him,” she cried. Reasoning that if it couldn’t be shared, it was of no use, she cursed the raagi to turn to stone. Thus the hillock of raagi turned into a hillock of stone and the name Raagigudda came into being. The trimurthies Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwara, who visited the place wished to stay there permanently and transformed themselves into three big stones which one can still find next to the temple. People of the area who knew about the legend decided to build a temple around the hillock. Back in 1969, the temple of lord Hanuman was built on the hilltop. Hanuman was chosen since he is known as the protector and people deemed his presence necessary. Since Jayanagar those days was not considered a part of the city and was an ‘extension’ to it, the need to feel safe makes sense. Now, it is a big 5-acre temple complex of Rama, Ganesha, Eshwara, Rajarajeshwari and Navagrahas. The unique Shivalinga is made of green jade stone. The temple has been beautified over the years with the star attraction being the 6-foot Ganesha. Visitors can’t miss the gigantic Garuda bird carved in stone with its glorious wings outstretched as if in flight right above a cascading waterfall that is best witnessed in the evening. People from all over Bangalore visit the temple and the footfalls increase during the Hanuman Jayanti festival in December. It is said that nearly 35,000 devotees visit on the last day of the 12-day festival. The temple is also known for its school and charitable work. In light of how far the hillock of raagi has come, the curse doesn’t seem so bad after all.
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