Meera : What History Says... - Page 3

1. Merta - Charbhuja Ji Temple

Merta is a small town in the Nagaur district, Rajasthan. Meera Bai was born as a daughter of Ratan Singh, grand-daughter of Merta's Rao Duda; and great-granddaughter of Rao Jodha, founder of Jodhpur.

Meera's mother died when the girl was 10 and the princess went to live with grandfather, Rao Duda, at Merta.

Charbhuja Temple in Merta is the Temple where Meera Bai worshipped Lord Krishna before her marriage to Prince Bhoj of Chittor.

The 400 year old Temple is also known as Meera Temple of Merta.

Charbhuja Ji Temple, Merta

2. Chittorgarh - Fort Of Chittorgarh - Kumbha Palace

In 1516 Crown Prince Bhoj, son of Maharana Sangram Singh-I married the princess Meera Bai of Merta. The 'Kanwar Pada Palace' inside 'Kumbha Palace' was the place where Meera Bai used to live in Chittorgarh Fort.

Bappa Rawal built this palace which was later modified by Maharana Kumbah. This palace also has importance because of the site where Rani Padmini and thousands of the forts women and children committed JAUHAR.

Kanwar Pada Palace, Chittorgarh Fort

3. Chittorgarh - Kumbha Shyam Temple (Meera Mandir)

Maharana Kumbha build a Lord Vishnu Temple (Kumbh Temple) in 1449.

When Meera came to Chittor, she requested a small Krishna Temple for her personal use. Her father-in-law (Maharana SANGRAM SINGH I) built a small Temple adjoining Kumbh Temple, which was named as Kumbh (Kumbha) Shyam Temple. There she continued her devotions to Lord Krishna, and used her wealth to help feed religious pilgrims and the needy.

There is a small Chhatri in the Temple built in memory of Meera's saintly guru, Rai Das (Swami Ravidas) of Varanasi. The saint's footprints are marked on the floor of this small shrine.

Kumbha Shyam Temple, Chittorgarh Fort

4. Vrindaban - Banke Bihari Temple (Meera Bai Temple)

The holy land of Vrindavan is situated 12 km north west of Mathura, UP. Vrindavan lies in the heart of the region called Brij. It is the place where Sri Radha & Krishna had performed their Leelas, eons ago.

Around 1532, Meera Bai left Chittorgarh and moved to Vrindavan. After spending some years in Vrindavan, she went to Dwaraka and spent the rest of her life there.

A place has been identified where Meera Bai stayed in Vrindavan. As of now we do not have much information of pictures of this place.

Vrindavan also has a Meera Bai Temple.

 

5. Dwarka - Jagat Temple (Temple Of Dwarkadheesh)

Dwarka is holy town in Gujarat around 800 km south west of Chittor.

Meera Bai lived the final years of her life in Dwarka and there wrote to Krishna her immortal poems of love. Meera have infused Jagatmandir in Dwarka with a power of love.

Dwarkadheesh Temple, Dwarka

6. Nurpur - Brij Raj Bihari Temple Located around 66 Km from Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, Nurpur Fort was constructed by Maharaja Basu in the 16th century. One of the Krishna idol (build with black stone) prayed by Meera Bai was taken to Nurpur by Nurpur king Raja Basu (1580-1613). Raja Basu build a beautiful Temple for this Idol which is known as Brij Raj Bihari Temple. The Krishna Temple is now ruined along with the fort but still has some carved relief work on stone. This antique idol of Lord Krishna is still preserved in Brij Raj Temple and worshipped by pilgrims. The lifelike idol of Lord Krishna playing his flute is matchless in its beauty. Nurpur Fort

7. Amer Jaipur - Jagat Siromani Ji Temple Raja Man Singh I build an exquisitely carved marble-and-sandstone Lord Krishna Temple in Amer (Near Jaipur) in memory of his son. The Temple is well known as Jagat Shiromani Temple of Amer. The Krishna idol which is placed in Jagat Shiromani Temple was one of the idols worshipped by Meera Bai. Jagat Siromani Temple, Amer Jaipur

Jagat Siromani Temple - More Pictures

8. Dakor - Ranchhodraiji Temple Dakor is located around 94 Km from Ahmedabad, Gujrat. Dakor is famous for Ranchhodraji Temple (A Lord Krishna Temple). According to historical books, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Meera visited Dakor. Ranchhodraiji Temple, Dakor

Meera Mahotsav (Mira Mahotsav)
Meera Smrithi Sansathan (Meera Memorial Trust) along with the Chittorgarh district officials organise Meera Mahotsav every year on Sharad Purnima day (On Mirabai's birth anniversary) for 3 days.
Many famous musicians and singers get together to sing bhajan's in this celebration. The 3 days celebration also features puja's, discussions, dances, fire works etc.

Mira was a queen of Rajasthan who is known more for her devotion than her political position.  There are so many stories about Mira Bai that it is very difficult to tell the facts of her life from legend.

She was born about 1500 and was married at the age of 13.  From an early age she showed more interest in religious devotions than to her worldly responsibilities.  It is said that she neglected her marital responsibilities.  When queried about it, she said that it was impossible for her to be married to the king when she was already married to Krishna.

A major change in her life occurred at the time of the death of her husband.  It was customary in those days for a wife to commit satti.  Satti is the self immolation upon the husband's funeral pyre.  She refused to comply, whereupon her in-laws began harassing her.  She then left the palace and began wandering throughout Rajasthan, preaching and gaining followers.

Mira is known for the many bhajans that she left behind.  These bhajans are in praise of lord Krishna and held in great esteem for their high literary value.

She is believed to have died around 1550