Drupada takes a vow that he will have two children, a Son who will defeat Drona and a daughter who will marry Arjuna. He performed a Yaga and two children were born, Drishtadyumna and daughter Draupadi. Draupadi’s other names are Krishnaa, Yaajnaseni (because she was the daughter of Draupada who was also called Yaajnasena) and Paanchaali (because she is from the kingdom of Paanchaala).

Hastinapura people started saying they want Pandavas, especially Yudishtira to be their Kings. Duryodhana started becoming jealous since his father had lost out on being a King because he was blind. Now he and his brothers are also losing out.

Duryodhana had been jealous of Bheema since the young age. He wanted to kill Bheema. They tried several ways to kill Bheema, including drowning him in the river. They also tried poisoning him.

People realized Kauravas are jealous of Pandavas and that they cannot be good Kings. Duryodhana learns this through a spy. He decides that Pandavas have to be driven away. Duryodhana says let us send them away to Varanavata. A Yatra celebration of Pashupati (Shiva) was about to happen there. He decided to build a palace from wax in Varanavata where Pandavas would stay and to later on burn the palace.

The deity is brought out so that people who cannot visit due to old age or handicap can have Darshana of the deity. The Puri Jagannath Yatra is one of the famous Yatras of India. Almost all temples in South India have a Rath Yatra. The story of Mahabharata is 5000 years old. Yatra Mahotsava used to happen even at that time.

If you visit Udupi, you can see the Rathaveethi around the SriKrishna temple. You can about some famous Yatras through a quiz at https://indiyatra.in/rath-yatra-quiz/

Vidura is also the uncle of Pandavas, as well as Kauravas. He informs Yudhisthira in a coded language. Only Vidhura and Yudhisthira could understand this language. While in Varanavata, Kunti asks Yudhishtira what had Vidura told him. Bheema and Yudhishtira realise that the palace is made of wax.

With the help of diggers, the Pandavas created an undergound tunnel leading from the palace outside. One day a Huntress comes with five of their children. They wanted to stay with Pandavas. Purocana was supposed to burn the palace the same day. Bheema himself puts the palace on hire and escapes. The huntress and the children died in the palace and were mistaken for Pandavas and Kunti. Bheema carried the Pandavas and Kunti and escaped. There is a famous story about the secret passage in the Chitradurga fort which is in Karnataka. Find out more about it.

After Pandavas escape from the wax palace, all the Pandavas rest under a tree. They ask Bheema to fetch water. He rushes to get water. He does not have a container and tries to carry water in his upper garment.

A Rakshasa named Hidimbaasura started smelling human flesh. He had a sister called Hidimbaa. He sent his sister to find out more details. Hidimbaa fell in love with Bheema and wanted to marry him.

There is a temple for Hidimbaa in a famous tourist place. Search and find out where it is! Once you have found that out, search for another Hidimbaa temple that is there in the same state. Post a picture of the second temple and a short write-up in the reply to the quiz in the Course page. A lucky winner will be chosen from those who post. Prize is a copy of Essential Mahabharata book.

Hidimbaa was in love with Bheema and wanted to marry him. Kunti agrees that Bheema can marry her. However, Hidimbaa mentions that Bheema has to fight his brother. Bheema defeats and kills Hidimbasura and then marries Hidimbaa. Bheema and Hidimbaa give birth to Ghatokacha. He immediately became a strong man and promised to come to the Pandavas help whenever asked. Eventually he would end up saving the life of Arjuna. You will find out in latter classes.

There is an interesting very old and funny Tamil song called Kalyana Samaiyal Sadam which features Ghatotkacha. Post a youtube link of this song in the course page. One lucky winner will receive a copy of the Essential Mahabharata book. But the child has to sing two or three verses of this song on 16th April class at the end.

Bakaasura was constantly troubling everybody in Ekachakranagara. The King of Ekachakranagara escaped from the town and was staying in a safe place. This is not a behaviour that King should have. The King should actually protect his people rather than escape. A king should never be selfish. The Pandavas take shelter in Ekachakranagara in the house of a Brahmin.