Prithvinath Temple
Prithvinath Mandir History in Hindi: A major accident took place in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, in which 11 people lost their lives. All these people were going to visit the Prithvinath temple in a car. But this accident happened before reaching the temple. After reaching Itia wholesale police station area, the car of devotees fell into the canal, in which 15 people were riding. For a long time, Prithvi Nath temple is the center of faith and reverence among the devotees, in which people from far and wide come to see. There is a belief about this temple that the Shivling installed in it was established by the Pandavas.
Asia’s highest Shivling
It is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the Prithvinath Temple of Khargupur in Gonda district. The Shivalinga installed in this temple is considered to be the highest Shivling in Asia, which is 54 feet high. This temple is not only religiously important, but its history and recognition is also very special. Prithvinath Temple is the center of faith for devotees. According to the temple priest Jagdamba Prasad Tiwari, every vow sought here is fulfilled.
Highest Shivling
The Shivling installed in the Prithvinath temple is considered to be the highest Shivling in the world according to Asia and some beliefs. Its 64 feet part is below the ground, which is considered divided into seven sections. Due to the vastness and mythological significance of this Shivling, this temple is the center of special attraction for devotees. It is believed that devotees who worship Lord Shiva with true heart get the desired fruit here.
Pandavas had rested
According to religious belief, the Shivling of Prithvinath Temple was founded by Mahabali Bhima. It is said that during the unknown in the Dwapara Yuga, the Pandavas rested here and Mahabali Bhima established this Shivling. Every year a grand fair is held here on the occasion of Shivaratri.
Construction during Mahabharata period
The Shivling of this temple is said to be of the Mahabharata period 5000 years ago, which is made of black criteria. In Prithvinath temple, devotees from the country as well as from abroad are also offering prayers. According to religious belief, all the sorrows and pain are removed by performing philosophy, worship and Jalabhishek here. It is said that the height of this Shivling is so much that devotees have to bear the heel to offer water. Millions of crowds throng here daily in the holy month of Sawan.
Mahabharata period and Pandavas unknown
The story of the Prithvinath Temple begins from the era of Mahabharata, when the Pandavas were living secretly for a year during their unknown. According to the Mahabharata’s ‘Vanparva’, the Pandavas suffered 12 years of exile and 1 year of unknown exile after losing in gambling with the Kauravas. When his identity was revealed during the unknown, he would have to suffer 14 years of exile. During this time, the Pandavas along with their mother Kunti reached the Pancharanya region of the state, which is today known as Gonda and the surrounding area. In this area, which was called Chakranagari or Ekchakra Nagari at that time, there was a terror of a terrible demon Bakasur. Bakasur used to demand a bullock cart dish and a person from the townspeople every day, which he used to eat.
One day the only son of a widow Brahmani came in turn. Pandava was staying at the same Brahmin’s house at that time. Seeing his pain, Mata Kunti sent his son Bhima to kill Bakasur. Bhima killed Bakasur with his mace and liberated the people of the area from his terror. But Bakasur was a Brahmin demon, due to the slaughter of which Bhima felt the sin of Brahmana. To get rid of this sin, Bhima underwent penance to Lord Shiva under the guidance of Lord Krishna and established a huge Shivling in Khargupur region. This Shivling is made of black criterion stones, which is about five and a half feet high and it is said that 64 feet of it is below the ground. According to the investigation of the Department of Archeology, this Shivling is about 5000 to 6500 years old, which connects it to the Mahabharata period.
Revival of Shivling and naming temple
Over time, this Shivling gradually merged into the ground. Later, in the 19th century, Prithvi Singh, a retired soldier of Gonda King of Gonda, started digging on a mound to build his house in Khargupur. During the excavation, a fountain of blood started coming out of one place, causing the laborers and the work was stopped. The same night, Lord Shiva appeared in the dream to Prithvi Singh and told that the Shivling of a seven sections is pressed under the ground.
According to the dream, Prithvi Singh excavated the next day, and a huge Shivling appeared from there. After this, he started worshiping Shivalinga by law and built the temple. Since then, this temple came to be known as “Prithvinath Temple”. It is said that during the Mughal period, a commander also worshiped in this temple and got it renovated. After this, this temple became even more famous.
(Disclaimer: The information given in this news is based on religious beliefs and general information. TV 9 India does not confirm it.)