Gaḍhakālikā and the birth of Baṭukabhairavas
Gaḍhakālikā and the Birth of Baṭukabhairavas Introduction:— Gaḍhakālikā (गढ़कालिका) Śaktipīṭha is one of the most famous Śākta pilgrimages in North India. It is situated at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. Various ancient Śāstras mentioned this Pīṭha. Examples:- अश्वत्थस्था महामायामुज्जैन्या पाशधारिणीम् । महाकालयुतां नौमि सवीर्थप्रतिपादिनीम् ॥ [[ Reference:— Manthānabhairavatantra : Kūmārikā Khaṇḍa : 64 Pīṭha Stava]] Meaning:— Salutation to Devī Mahāmāyā who resides on the Aśvattha tree in Ujjainī. She holds Pāśa and her consort is Mahākāla. The Kubjikāmata Tantra states almost the same Śloka — अश्वत्थस्थां महामायामुज्जैन्यां पाशधारिणीम् । महाकालसमोपेतां नौमि सर्वार्थसिद्धिदाम् ॥ २७ ॥ [[ Reference:— Kubjikāmata Tantra: 22 Chapter]] Tripurā Rahasya states, "करवीरे महालक्ष्मीः कालिका मालवेषु सा " Goddess Lalitā dwells as Mahālakṣmī in Karavīrapura and Kālikā in Mālava. [[ Śrīmad Gaḍhakālikā ]] Brahmāṇḍa Mahāpurāṇa also...