Sugrim said that you have to be cautious of Ravana's cleverness. We are mentioning this incident because the hero of today's special report is Uluk. Uluk means owl. Just think, the owl which was described as a symbol of cleverness in Valmiki's Ramayana, is today used to denote stupidity and lack of intelligence. If you call someone an owl, then there is no need to say anything else about his wisdom and discretion. Our special report breaks this belief about this bird through a video from Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Let us understand what is there in this video and why this bird was called Uluk Raj.

Kashi is the city of Lord Shiva

Where resides Mahadev, the God of Gods, the Lord of the entire world – Baba Vishwanath. Kashi is known as the capital of Lord Shiva and the most favorite place of Goddess Parvati. If you have ever been to Varanasi and visited Baba Vishwanath Temple, then there is no need to tell you about this divine scenery.

Anyway, by watching this scene you will be able to feel the divine aura of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The part of this scene which has become the subject of most discussion these days is the golden spire of the temple. This peak of Baba Vishwanath made of gold shines in the sunlight in such a way that it dazzles even the eyes. Such a scene of this shining peak has been captured on camera, which is shocking the entire Kashi.

White owl seen on the top of the temple

According to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Management Committee, the arrival and departure of a white owl was seen at the peak of the temple at a fixed time. Especially at the time of Shayan Aarti. Shayan Aarti is performed in Baba Vishwanath temple before the night rest of Lord Shiva. During this time, the movement of a white owl was seen in the camera installed in the temple.

White owl is considered to be a very rare bird, after its continuous appearance on the peak of the temple, a special mantra is being chanted for it.

Uluk Mantra:

"Vahanay Mahalakshmi Namah

"Om Hreem Shreem Kam Ae Ulluka"!

It is considered to be the vehicle of Goddess Lakshmi.

Actually, the white owl is considered to be the vehicle of Goddess Lakshmi. Therefore, the devotees of Sanatan consider it to be the messenger of the gods in Baba Vishwanath temple. In our Vedas, there is mention of a bird named Uluk as the vehicle of Goddess Lakshmi. There is also a special worship mantra for this in Srisukta.

Om Hiranyavarnam Harineem Suvarnarajatstrajam.

Chandram Hiranmayi Lakshmi Jaatvedo Ma Aavah ||1 ||

What are the characteristics of an owl?

Owl is considered a strange bird all over the world. It has many special features which initially surprised even the scientists. Like seeing even in dense darkness. Which is not possible for humans without any equipment. It has eyes that never close and a neck that can rotate up to 270 degrees. Because of this, an owl can see up to one-third of the back of its head. Because of these qualities it is considered a very alert and intelligent bird.

Not only in India, it was considered a symbol of auspiciousness in many civilizations of the world. In the Roman Empire, coins with the image of an owl were issued. This is in the same way as in our Vedic belief it has been described as the vehicle of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. That means, where the owl's feet reside, the goddess of wealth Lakshmi resides. What is the secret behind this belief?

adapts to any situation

Science calls it strange because the owl adapts itself to that situation also. In which even humans and many other creatures are not capable. It remains so alert that it is not possible to hunt it with any weapon like arrow. Antarctica is the only continent in the world where there are no owls, otherwise hundreds of their species are found all over the world.

There are a total of 225 species of owls in the world. Of these, 30 species are found in India. White owls are the most special in this also. Their numbers are very less. In our Vedic texts, this white species has been described as the vehicle of Goddess Lakshmi.

Lord Vishnu had gifted the city

According to mythological beliefs, when Goddess Lakshmi goes to the underworld, desolate, dark or any other inaccessible place, she rides on an owl. In this way Goddess Lakshmi is called Uluk Vahini. Goddess Lakshmi has a special relationship with Varanasi, because this city was gifted to Lord Shiva by Lord Vishnu. Before that, Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi were permanent residents of this city.

The white owl seen on the golden peak of Kashi Vishwanath temple is being linked to this mythological belief of Goddess Lakshmi. Mahadev, the god of gods, lives here, hence all the gods come here as messengers to see him.

Who made the divine symbol 'retarded'?

An unnecessarily stupid saying became popular about such a divine symbol of Sanatan. Rather, the owl has been described as the transmitter of sound in the universe. It is believed that Narad Muni took music lessons from Uluk Raj on the banks of Lake Manasarovar. The sound of 'hoo hoo hoo' in the voice of owls is considered special by sound experts. It holds a very special place among the seven suras.

Not only this, owls are also called the protectors of the universe. Its vision is like this. When the vision of the whole world is closed, then the vision of the owl awakens. As soon as night falls, the owl wakes up due to its extraordinary vision and senses danger even in the dark.

If we look at it symbolically, then our mythological texts say that the bearer of wealth is the one who recognizes the coming time before time. Only such a human being becomes prosperous. The one who is prosperous, Goddess Lakshmi resides near him. That is, having owl as the vehicle of Goddess Lakshmi is a logic based belief in itself.

Ulukraj's relation with Kashi city

When the same white owl was seen continuously on the Golden Peak of Baba Vishwanath for many days, a curiosity was aroused within the people. After all, what is the connection of Ulukraj with Shiva's city Kashi?

In mythological beliefs, 7 cities of the earth are considered to be the providers of salvation. In this, Kashi ranks first. The remaining cities are Ayodhya, Mathura, Ujjain, Haridwar, Dwarka and Kanchipuram of South India. Kashi's place is also first because according to the archaeological evidence found so far, this city is more than 5 thousand years old. Understand this as ancient as the Indus Valley Civilization. It is also mentioned in the world's oldest written text, Rigveda.

Now let us tell you what Rigveda says about Kashi and its deity Vishwanath.

Kashyan hi kashte,

Kashi Kashi Sarvaprakasika.

This Vedic verse tells us what is the importance of the world's oldest city, Kashi, in our tradition. Kashi means pillar of light. That means that city, which is bright with the light of Shiva.

That light of Kashi ignites from the Jyotirlinga of Baba Vishweshwar. There is a divine darshan of Panchmukhi Vishweshwar in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple and a wonderful awakening of Shiva element in the entire city. Skanda Purana says about Kashi, that this city was established by Lord Shiva on the banks of the life-giving Ganga.

Kashi situated at a height of 33 feet

Puranas say about Kashi, which is situated 33 feet high from the surface, this city rests on the trident of Lord Shiva. That's why Shiva is considered in every corner and every house here. Mythology tells that after his marriage with Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva came to this Kashi from Mount Kailash. Therefore, the festival of Mahashivratri is celebrated in Kashi as the incarnation day of Lord Shiva on earth.

It is said that whoever participates in this festival of the biggest night of Shiva element, becomes free from the cycle of birth and death and attains salvation. In the 'Night' of Shiva, salvation is attained and 'Panchattva' is the liberation of the soul from the body.

Why is Lord Shiva called Panchmukhi?

In Vedic beliefs, Lord Shiva is called Panchmukhi in the living world because he is the creator of five elements like water, air, fire, sky and earth which are essential for the body.

Kshiti, Jal, Pavak, Gagan, Sameera.

Pancha composed adhi adhama sharira..

-Tulsidas

While explaining to Bali's widow Tara in the Kishkindha episode of Ramayana, Tulsidas talks about the impermanence of the body made of these five elements.
The liberation of the soul from these five elements is called salvation. According to Shiva Purana, the god of attaining salvation is Lord Shiva. And attaining salvation in Kashi is considered best because it is the city of Shiva.

Symbols of 12 Jyotirlingas in Kashi

With the recognition of the 9th Jyotirlinga in Kashi Vishwanath Temple, all the 12 Jyotirlingas have been installed as symbols at different places all over Kashi.

1. Somnath Temple- This Jyotirlinga is at Manmandir Ghat.

2. Mallikarjuna Temple- This is in Shivpura Mohalla Sigra.

3. Mahakaleshwar Temple- This is inside the Mahamrityunjaya Temple.

4. Omkareshwar Temple, this is in Pathani Tola Machhodari.

5. Baijnath Temple- This is in Baijnath area.

6. Bhimashankar Temple, this is in Nepali Khapra area.

7. Rameshwar Temple is situated at Manmandir Ghat.

8. Nageshwar Temple, it is on the ghat of Patni Tola.

9. Kashi Vishwanath Temple – This is the main Jyotirlinga.

10. Trimbakeshwar Temple, this is in Bas Phatak area.

11. Kedar Ji Temple, it is situated at Kedar Ghat.

12. Ghrishneshwar Temple, it is situated in Kamchha Temple.

That means the total number of darshan of 12 Jyotirlingas in one city. This is amazing on earth. This mythological concept of establishing Kashi makes it a unique city of Shiva.

(Disclaimer: The information given here is based on general beliefs and information. NH does not confirm it.)