Mahishashura and Ravana

Kanyakubj Brahmins worship Ravana every Dussehra and a special festivity is organised in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh.

Zoroastrian sacred texts Avesta, where the entire dynamics of Deva (Daeva) and Asura (Ahura) are inverted. Ahuras epitomize the good while Daevas denote evil. That may render the entire Parsi community as anti-nationals, if Ms Irani’s logic is applied.

Tthere is a small tribal adivasi community in the Santhal region of Jharkhand, West Bengal and parts of Orissa, who have traditionally held a contrarian view about the Durga-Mahishasur mythology.

The Asur tribe, named so due to their belief that they are the descendants of Mahishasura, offer a different narrative.

They believe Mahishasura to be a strong but benevolent king. He would never lift arms against a woman. So the Devas used a woman, Durga, to plot Mahishasur’s assassination. When the whole of India celebrates Vijaya Dashami – the day that marks the slaying of two Asura kings: Mahishasura by Durga as well as Ravana by Lord Rama, members of the Asur tribe mourn the death of their ancestors.

Some historians have suggested in their works that Mahishasur was the mythological hero of the Bahujan communities of India. According to D.D. Kaushambi, Mahishasur’s realm was Mahoba in Bundelkhand. In connection with the research for my book, I reached Mahoba on 2 October. Mahishasur’s memories still survive in the folk traditions of Mahoba. He is known as Maikasur, Kaaras Dev, Gwal Baba, etc in this area. Almost every village in Mahoba has a place for him. There are no idols of Mahishasur, only raised platforms made of clay. Unlike in the brahmanical tradition, Mahishasur does not live in temples. He lives on clay platforms under the open sky.

Traditions related to Mahishasur are alive in almost all parts of the country. For the past few years, Bahujans are attempting to revive their myths and traditions. This year, writers and intellectuals came together in Mysore to begin a campaign for restoring Mahishasur’s lost honour. Mahishasur Martyrdom Day was celebrated in many parts of north India. 

The “sthan” of “Maikasur” (Mahishasur) at Keerat Sagar, near Mahoba. Legend has it that Mahishasur cures sick animals. When an animal starts giving milk, it is first offered to Mahishasur. The pastoral and agricultural castes of Mahoba regard Mahishasur as their ancestor.

Pramod Ranjan talks to Ghanshyam Tyagi, the priest of the Shiva temple near Maikasur’s sthan at Gokhaar Pahad (the place where famous Naathpanth poet Goraknath and his disciples worked), near Mahoba. Tyagi says that Bahujans of the area have great reverence for Mahishasur. Till about 25-30 years ago, Durga Utsav was not celebrated in the area. On the “Shasthi’ (sixth day) of Bhadra Paksha, a special puja of Mahishasur is performed. Sweets made of milk, coconut, etc are offered to him. “Bhav Khela” (a ritual in which the participants enact being possessed after a god enters their bodies) also forms part of the celebrations.

http://www.indiaresists.com/mahisasur-is-worshiped-by-bahujans-in-india-ms-smriti-irani/

http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/smriti-irani-mahishasura-and-durga/38826