Deities: Lord ShivaLocation: Kurukshetra, Haryana.Importance: It was here that the Pandavas prayed to Lord Shiva and received his blessings for victory in the battle of Mahabharata.
Best time to visit: October to March
STD Code: 01744
Om Namah Shivay
The ancient Sthanesvara Mahadev Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva or Mahadev, lies in Thanesar. It was here that the Pandavas prayed to Lord Shiva and received his blessings for victory in the battle of Mahabharata. The ninth Guru, Shri Tegh Bahadur stayed at a spot near the Sthaneshwar Tirtha that is marked by a gurdwara just besides this temple.The 'Linga' is ancient and worshipped still by the people.
One unique feature of the temple is the free lunch provided for the pilgrims here. This is at two different levels, with the ground floor serving a working lunch catering for the "normal" pilgrim; and the first floor serving a 'special' lunch for the more privileged personnel. The temple provides free food for the hospital patients as well.
It can be said without a doubt that the presiding deity of Thanesar is Lord Shiva. It is after the Sthanesvar Shiva Linga Temple that Thanesar gets its name. Vaman Puran categorically mentions the importance of this temple and legends tell us that Lord Brahma him self laid the first Linga of Lord Shiva at the temple. Renovated in recent times, the temple has a white amla (fruit shaped) dome. A large water body has been designed before the temple.
Legend:
Legend has it that the waters of the tank adjoining the temple are holy. A few drops of water cured the King Ban of leprosy. And, no pilgrimage of Kurukshetra is believed to be entirely complete without a visit to this holy Temple. The tank and temple lie a short distance from Thanesar town.
It once formed an important part of the kingdom of the King Harshavardhana of the Pushyabhuti dynasty. It is also believed that Lord Shiva was first worshipped here in the form of a linga. The ancestor of the Mahabharata heroes, Kuru, performed penance on the banks of the Yamuna and Parshuram, the great warrior and sage killed many Kshatriyas (warriors) here.
Main attraction:
Kamal Nabhi-
Adjacent the town of Thanesar lies the temple of Kamal Nabhi. The Nabhi Kamal is a sacred tank. Mythology has it that the tank houses a sacred lotus that happens to play abode to Lord Bramha (one of the Trinity Gods). The Lord is believed to have manifested from the navel of the lotus. The temple here has the images of Lord Vishnu and Brhama.
Bhisham Kund Narkatari-
About one and half miles from Thanesar on Kurukshetra-Pehowa road lies a tank named Narkatari. It is here say legends that Bhishma Pitamah of Mahabharata epic lay on a bed of arrows.
How to reach:
by Air: The Airports close to Kurukshetra are at Delhi and Chandigarh.
by Rail: Kurukshetra is a railway junction, well connected with all important towns and cities of the country.
by Road: Buses of Haryana Roadways and other State Corporations ply through Kurukshetra and connect it to Delhi, Chandigarh and other important places.
Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).
If you love to read visit www.KathaVarta.org for Religious stories.
Last but not least, if you want to visit above Holy Pilgrimage, please contact and visit our associate partner www.YatraKhoj.com and e-mail at yatrakhoj@yahoo.com.
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