There may not be wonder to see a temple for Ramayana villain Ravana in Sri Lanka. But it is in a stunning place in North India. Now this might sound as blasphemy to some and an interesting angle to the rationalists but then soon a temple was erected and the deity is none other than the demon king Ravana. All this is happening in the town of Jodhpur in Rajasthan and incidentally this is the very place which is highly dominated by Hindus and Lord Ram is prayed with great regard and devotion.
Apparently, the legend says that this is Mandore near Jodhpur, which happens to be the place that is the native of Mandodari, wife of Ravana. The temple was built in the premises of Mahadev and Navagraha temple premises and then the deity's idol looks in the form of offering water and prayers to lord Shiva.
The idol was prepared by one Chunnilal and speaking about this is the chief priest Kamlesh Dev says that there are roots of Ravana's family still in the town and they do offer the required rituals during the time of Diwali. He also added that about 200 families had migrated after the war that happened in Lanka and since then the descendants of Ravana have been staying in that place. It sounds strange but true.
The descendants of Ravana living in Jodhpur say that they are from Moudgalyasa gotram, which happened to be the gothram of Ravana. They also narrated the details recorded in mythology that Ravana was a Brahmin who was the son of Vishrava. Vishrava was the son of Pulastya Rushi. On the other hand Ravana's mother was Kaikasi, the daughter of demon Sumali. Thus Ravana is a Brahmin by paternal background but carried on Rakshasa Pravruththi as he was with his mother in Lanka. After the death of Ravana, his descendants have settled down in Mandore. The descendants are also offering 'Shraddha Pindam' for Ravana on Ashwiyuj Dasami. That's the long connection between Treta Yugam and Kali Yugam.
