Day 2 Mountain Trail reached Tezpur and the SOULs visited the ancient Mahabhairav Temple located at a hillock on the northern part of Tezpur town, Assam. This temple is believed to have been established by king Bana in the pre-historical times. Bana (also called Banasura), in Hindu stories was a thousand-armed asura King and son of Bali. Banasura is believed to have ruled the present-day central Assam with his capital at Sonitpur (present-day Tezpur, Assam). According to the legend, Banasura was an aboriginal king. Banasura, a mighty asura once ruled over a large kingdom. So strong and fierce was his influence that all the kings and even some of the devas shuddered in front of his might. Banasura use to worship Rasalingam, which was given by Vishvakarman on instruction from Vishnu. An ardent devotee of Shiva, used his thousand arms to play the Mridanga when Shiva was performing the tandava dance. Shiva gave Banasura a boon and Banasura requested Shiva to be his protector. Banasura became invincible. As time passed, Banasura became cruel and arrogant. He locked up his daughter, Usha in a fortress called Agnigarh because many young suitors came to him asking for her hand. One day, Usha saw a young man in her dream and fell in love with him. Chitraleka was a friend of Usha and daughter of Kumbhanda, Minister of Banasura. Chitralekha was a talented artist who helped Usha to identify the young man seen in her dream, by sketching various portraits. She had dreamt of Aniruddha, the grandson of Lord Krishna. Chitralekha, through supernatural powers, abducted Aniruddha from the palace of Krishna and brought him to Usha. This led to a fight between Lord Krishna and Banasura. Lord Shiva came to the rescue of his devotee but was put to sleep by Lord Krishna, who invoked 'Jrimbhunastra'. Thereafter, Lord Krishna started severing the arms of Banasura and cut off all except for two. Meanwhile, Lord Shiva regained consciousness and requested Lord Krishna to spare his devotee's life. Banasura too apologized to Lord Krishna and he was forgiven. Aniruddha was then married to Usha. #drivewithsoul @soul_tatamotors_official #mountaintrail @evoindia @tatacompanies (at Mahavairav Temple)
