Banatirtha
Banatirtha (बाणतीर्थ) is a pilgrim mentioned in ancient Indian literature located near Papanasam, Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu.[1].
Variants
- Bana Tirtha (बाणतीर्थ)
- Bana Thirtham (बाणतीर्थम)
In South India
Banatirtha (बाणतीर्थ): Sage Sankha explained at this juncture the story of Banatirtha to king Virasena. When Siva burnt down Tripuras, he had used Earth as chariot, Brahma as charioteer, Meru mountain as bow and Vishnu as arrow. The arrow destroyed the three Asuras and their mobile forts; but the wrath in the arrow did not get extinguished. Hence Siva buried the arrow in a pit in Malayaparvata. Vishnu resided there as arrow for ten thousand years, heating up the land massively. When the waters of Tamraparni dropped into the pit, there was heavy mist going up owing to the pent up heat; it looked like the hiss of Nagaraja of Patala. As the heat spread in all directions, Devas, Siddhas and others in aerial route started crying in agony.[2]
Tamraparni (ताम्रपर्णी) is an ancient name of a river proximal to Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
There is a cave above the Bana Tirtha near Papanasam, Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu.[3]
Papanasam is a panchayat town in Thanjavur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located 25 kilometres from Thanjavur and 15 kilometres from Kumbakonam. The name literally translates to "Destruction of Sins" in the Tamil language. It is the suburban region of business city of Kumbakonam.
In Gujarat
बाण तीर्थ: द्वारका कस्बे से करीब एक मील पश्चिम में चलने पर एक और तीर्थ आता है। यहां जरा नाम के भील ने कृष्ण भगवान के पैर में तीर मारा था। इसी तीर से घायल होकर वह परमधाम गये थे। इस जगह को बाण-तीर्थ कहते है। यहां बैशाख मे बड़ा भारी मेला भरता है।बाण-तीर्थ से डेढ़ मील उत्तर में एक और बस्ती है। इसका नाम भालपुर है। वहां एक पद्मकुण्ड नाम का तालाब है। हिरण्य नदी के दाहिने तट पर एक पतला-सा बड़ का पेड़ है। पहले इस सथान पर बहुत बड़ा पेड़ था। बलरामजी ने इस पेड़ के नीचे ही समाधि लगाई थी। यहीं उन्होनें शरीर छोड़ा था.