Haryana is a land of temples, mosques and gurudwaras. The Sacred place of the Hindu pantheon, Kurukshetra, is located in the State. Lord Krishna had given the divine message and guidance to Arjuna, his cousin and disciple at Jyotisar. Besides, there are many religious places associated with the Muslims and the Sikhs. LeKus discuss these in a nutshell.
Religious places of the Hindus:
Kurukshetra is a great pilgrimage place for Hindus and tourists from all over the country who visit the venue of the Mahabharta War and the birth place of The Bhagwad Gita, Building on its historical and cultural traditions, Kurukshetra has developed to become a modern city. The Brahmsarovar, Sri Krishna Museum and the Science Museum (Panorama) are its chief attractions. Kurukshetra district is a tourist’s delight, there are about 360 tirthas of religious and historic importance for him. Out of these, about 134 tirthas are being maintained by Kurukshetra Development Board, Kurukshetra.
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Nava Graha:
It is located in Kaithal city. There are 9 kundas at this place. Lord Krishna had got them constructed. In old times, there were pucka ghats at this place where people used to take bath. Today, most of the kundas have become extinct; the remaining ones are in a pathetic state.
Baba Ladana’s Shrine:
It is located at a distance of 10 km from Kaithal, at a place called Rajpuri. Baba Ladana was a Saint. On the day of the Dussehra, a fair it organised at this shrine, which comprises a Samadhi and a pond.
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Brahma Sarovar:
It is located in Kurukshetra, quite near the Thanesar railway station. Its size is 1219.2 m x 608.6 m. There are some small islands and Pauranic temples at this site. The Shravan Nath Math has been connected to other islands by bridges. King Kuru has got this Sarovar dug. Stairs are visible only on the western side of the Sarowar. On its northern part, there are temples and dharamshalas. In its centre, there is a Shiva temple. There is a platform of 6.10 metre width around the Sarovar. On the periphery of the Sarovar there are sadris, which were got constructed by the Kurukshetra Development Board.
Sannihit:
It is located at a distance of 1.5 km from Kurukshetra Railway Station on the Kurukshetra-Pehova road. It is nearly 472.44 metre long and 137.16 metre wide. People come here to offer homage and respect to their ancestors. It is deemed as the permanent abode of Lord Vishnu.
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Jyotisar:
It is located at a distance of 8 km from Kurukshetra Railways Station. It is located on the Pehova road on the bank of river Saraswati. Its literal meaning is “pond of knowledge.” At this, place, Lord Krishna had given divine guidance to Arjuna. His teachings are better known as Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta. The remains of a pond, Akshay Vata and Shiva Temple are still here. Its length is 1000 ft (393.7 m) and its width is 500 ft (196.85 m). It was also known as Pawan Hriday and Marut (according to the Mahabharata). Water for the pond is provided from the Narwana Canal. If someone takes bath at this shrine and pays homage to Lord Shiva, he is eligible for the supreme status (Shaiva Pada).
It is located near Sannihit in Kurukshetra. It was set up by Swami Vishuddhanand. Here, statues of Lord Shankar, Lord Krishna and Arjuna can be seen. Dharamshalas and eating places are available.
Chandrakoop:
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It is situated near Kurukshetra’s shrine. It has well and a temple, which was got built by Yudhishthira after the War.
Gandiya Muth:
It is located on the northern side of Kurukshetra’s shrine. It is inhabited by the Shri Bengali disciples who are followers of Lord Krishna. Here beautiful statues of Radha and Krishna can be seen. It related to the Bhakti era of starting of the sect of Chaitanya.
Geeta Bhawan:
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It is located at the northern bank of Kurukshetra shrine (the Soraovar). It was set up by the king of Rewa in 1921. It has a palace like structure in which statues of Lord Krishna, Durga and Lord Shankar are placed. There are adequate arrangements of boarding and lodging at this shrine.
Valmiki Ashram:
It is located opposite Thanesar Railway Station in Kurukshetra. Baba Lakshman Giri had taken samadhi as well as the Balmiki temple is the famous site to be visited.
Baan Ganga:
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It is located on the Thanesar-Jyotisar road near village Narkatali. Arjuna had made the Ganges erupt at this point. So that it could quench the thirst of Bhishma, who was lying on a bed of arrows during the war.
It is located in Kurukshetra district. It is believed that Lord Brahma had made his appearance here. There is a pond at this place, where males and females take bath (at separate places).
Kaleshwar Teerth:
It is located in Kurukshetra district. Ravana had established the idol of Lord Rudra here; there is also a Shiva temple and a ghat at this place.
Prachi :
It is located in Kurukshetra district, It is located towards north of Bhadrakali temple, near the Kuber shrine. People pay homage to their ancestors here, i.e., carries out the rituals of pitra tarpan.
It is located on the banks of Saraswati River in Kurukshetra district (near Kali Mata’s temple). Kuber had organised Yajnas here. Here, the residential place (Kutia) of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is also located.
This shrine is located on the bank of Saraswati River. On the road to Pipli (in Kurukshetra district). Markandeya had achieved a divine status by carrying out tapa (meditation) at this spot. A temple is located here.
It is located in Kurukshetra district. Its relationship has been established with Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh and wife of Rudra. It is located at a distance of 1 km from the Kurukshetra University. A deep pond is located here, it is called. Baan Ganga.
Kamodha :
It is a forest area located at a distance of 14 km from Thanesar in Kurukshetra district. The Pandavas had stayed here. Here, a temple and math of Kameshwar Mahadev, both are made of bricks. There is another small room made of bricks in this area, called Draupadi’s store. Draupadi had cooked food for the Pandavas here.
Axapta:
It is located in Kurukshetra district, it was located on the bank of full Aapya (Aapga) in the ancient times. Rigveda has mentioned Drishadvati, Saraswati and Aapga rivers. Vedic civilisation had originated on the banks of these three rivers. It is located at a distance of 0.5 km from Kurukshetra University near Kama Ka Tida. The old pond has been fdled with soil with passage of time.
Pehowa :
Its old name was Prithudak. King Prithu had prayed for his father (i.e., done the tarpan) at this site. Hence, it is a popular place for the people of Punjab, Haryana, J & K and Rajasthan, to carry out pitr sliraadh. It is located at a distance of 25 km. towards west of Thanesar. There are many temples at this place, which has become a town with passage of time.
It is located at Palwal and has a temple as well as a pond. The Pandavas had taken rest during the year of solitary stay (agyaat vaas) at this place. The pond is called Draupadi Ghat.
It is located near Jind on the Jind-Gohana road. The Pandavas had carried out the ritual of pind daan at this place after the War. Every year, a fair is organised on the day of Somvati Amavasya at this place. Pind daan rituals are also done here.
Rani Rai :
It is located on the Jind Hissar road. A fair is organised here on every Puranmasi day. But fairs of Kartik and Baisakh are more important. Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshman had visited this place. Lord Parashuram has conducted Yajna here. A place called Dhundwa is located nearby here; Duryodhana had hid himself after he was defeated in the war. Bheema had killed him after locating him at this spot.
It is located on the Patiala Narwana road, at a distance of 10 km from the Narwana Subdivision headquarters, Kardam Rishi had meditated here, his son Kapil Muni, was also born here.
Jamni :
It is located at Jind-Safidon road. Rishi, Jagdamni had meditated here.
Pushkar :
It is located in Jind district at a distance of 2-3 km. A Sarovar is located here.
Dhosi :
It is located at a distance of 9 km from Narnaul. Rishi Chwan had prayed for 7000 years at this place. The Shiva temple Shiva Kunda, Chandra Kunda and other Kundas are worth seeing. The peak of the hillock can be approached after climbing 459 steps. People flock to this place on the day of Somvati Amavas and take bath in these kundas. The large statue of Chwan Rishi is also worth a visit.
It is located in the township of Pundri. Vrindavan ghat, Triveni wala ghat, Ganga ghat, Gau ghat and main ghat are the main attractions of this area.
It is located at a distance of 5 km from Bhiwani. Here, fairs are organised in the Chaitra and Ashwin months every year. The temple located here was got built by a businessman (Mahajan).
Shri Kaleshwar Mahadev Math :
It is located on the Yamunanagar Paonta Sahib road near Kaleshwar, on the bank of Yamuna. It is one of the 12 oldest mathas of the world. It is the place of confluence of Saraswati, Yamuna and Sukhna. On the hillock’s top, there are caves of Shiva and Parvati. The statues of Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, Sheshnag and Parvati can be seen in these caves.
It is located in Rohtak and is famous for its darshani Sadhus (whose ears are split). These Sadhus consider Gorakhnath to be their first teacher. This shrine was established by Shri Chaurangi Nath Ji. Nearly 250 years, ago, it was got separated by Baba Mastnath Ji. The main temple has been built with marble. There is an Ayurveda College and an eye hospital in the complex. The temple is called Siddh Smriti Mandir. A fair is organised every year from Phalgun Shukla Navami (in the memory of Baba Mastnath Ji).
It is located at a distance of 20 km from Jagadhari at a place called Bilaspur (formerly Vyaspur). Som Sarovar is located here If one takes bath in this Sarovar one can get rid of all the evils. They must take bath between the ekadashi and panchmi of the Kartik purnima to do so. Besides, it people take bath in the Shukla pashas and visit the Shiva Lingum (phallus of Shiva) then all of their desires are fulfilled.
It is located near Thanesar (Sthaneshwar). It was got built by the ancestor of king Harshvardhana, Raja Pushya Bhuti. It is dedicated to Mahadev. Here, the Pandavas has prayed to Lord Shiva and got his blessing to win the War. The temple has regional architectural style. Mahmood Ghaznavi took the original statue of the temple to Ghazni. Lately, Sadashiv Rao, the Maratha Chieftain, got the temple rebuilt.
It is also called Bhadra Kali temple. It is located near kurukshetra Railway Station, on Sansa road, near Sthanu (Shiva) temple. It is dedicated to Goddess Bhadra Kali (Sati). At this place the light knee of the goddess (Sati) had fallen. People come to pray at this temple. Their desires are fulfilled here.
It is located near the Sannahit Sarovar. People come to pray before Lord Dukh Bhanjaneshwar Mahadev Ji in this temple.
It is also located on the bank of Sannihit Shrine (in Kurukshetra). The Statues of Chaturbhuj Narayan, Dhruva Bhakta, Hanuman and Durga Devi are seated in this temple.
In Kurukshetra a grand temple of Lord Lakshmi Narayan is located near the Sannihit Sarovar. Its style is based on Southern architecture. It has been constructed according to the Chola style of architecture. Baba Shiv Giri Maharaj, a saint of the Giri community, had got it built. The top of its upper most storeys is too thin to be stepped at.
It is located in the middle of the Brahma Sarovar (Kurukshetra). A small bridge is the only passage for approaching this temple. It was got constructed by Baba Shravan Nath. The statues of Lord Garuda, Narayan Shiva and Ganesha are located here. Besides, the statues a goddess Parvati, Nandis and a Shiva Lingum (Shiva’s Phallus) are also located here. The statues of Lord Krishna as well as those of Balrama and Hanuman are also the main attractions. At this place, Kunti had played before Lord Shiva during the Mahabharta era.
It is located near Thanesar Railway Station on the Kurukshetra- Pehova road. In 1955, Jugal Kishore Birla had got it constructed and named to Bhagwadgeeta Mandir. It is located on the bank of Kurukshetra Shrine (Brahma Sarovar). The marble chariot of Lord Krishna seems to be giving the elixir of the Geeta to Arjuna. On the marble walls of this temples the teachings/statements of great sages and religious preachers have been engraved. The sacred hymns (shlokas) of the Geeta have also been engraved on marble in this temple. The statues of Hanuman, Lord Krishna and Arjuna can be seen in the temple premises.
It is also called Lord Shiva Temple. It is located in Narnaul (near the bus stand) on the Narnaul-Rewari road. On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan a large fair is organised here.
It is located at Kaithal. In this temple, Arjuna has appeased Lord Shiva and obtained the Pashupatastra from him. The construction of the present temple was got done by the wife of Uday Singh nearly 250 years ago. There are 11 Shiva Lingas in this temple. On the dome of the temple, paintings of gods, goddesses, peacocks and garudas (eagles) can be seen. Statues of Lord Shiva and Hanuman have been installed in the precincts of the temple.
It is located at Kaithal and dates back to pre Mahabharata time. The lingum located here is also called Swayam Linga or Pataleshwar.
It is located in the centre of Kaithal city. It is located at a height of one storey from the ground level. It also, has one well, one Satsang hall, Chowk and verandahs. Janam Ashtami and Hanuman Jayanti are celebrated as festivals in this temple.
It is located at Panipat. It was got built by the Maratha Chieftain Mangal Raghunath, during the Third Battle of Panipat (1761).
It is located in Chaura Bazaar at Karnal. A large fair is held on the day of Shiva Ratri in the temple.
It is located at village Amin in Karnal district, Aditi had played here before giving birth to Surya, the Sun god.
It is located at Palwal. The Pandavas had stayed here during the period of secret exile at this temple.
It is located at Vanohari village which is located at a distance of 55 km from Faridabad on G.T. Road. It is dedicated to Balrama, the brother of Lord Krishna.
It is located at a distance of 40 km from Mahendragarh in the Kanina-Dadri road at village Badhot. It is associated with King Dilip of the Ikshawaku dynasty. It is presumed that king Dilip had got it constructed and named it Bagheshwar. Later, this name was corrupted to become Badhot. Large fairs are held on the Shiva Ratri (of Shravana) and Maha Shiva Ratri (of Phalguna).
Chamunda Devi’s Temple:
It is located in the centre of Narnaul city. People get their wishes fulfilled in this temple. There were 84 pillars in this temple. But only a few of these are left today, According to the legend King Noonkaran (of circa twelfth Century AD) had got it built because his queen had given birth to two sons. The signs of Ashokan age are visible in the remains of the temple. Noonkaran was a disciple of Chamunda Devi.
Ghanteshwar Temple:
It is located at Rewari. The statues of all the gods and goddesses of the Sanatan Pantheon have been installed here.
Hanuman Mandir:
It is located at Rewari. It has a huge pond. A fair is organised every Tuesday at this temple.
Shitla Devi Temple:
It is located at Gurgaon. Dronacharya gave training to Kauravas and Pandavas at this place. The 1.5 kg gold statue of mother Kirpi, the wife of Dronacharya is the main attraction. The temple area is 500 square yards. In the months of March and October, fairs are organised in this temple. Kirpi had become Sati after the death of her husband, Dronacharya.
Shivalaya of Deeghal:
It is located at Deeghal village in Rohtak district. Lala Dhaniram had got its construction initiated. It was constructed with Lakhauri bricks and lime. Inside the deepest chamber of the Shivalaya, the paintings, referring to the stories/fables of Mahabharta Ramayana and Puranas, can be seen every today.
Radheshyam Temple:
It is located at Pundarik Township. It has statues of Radha and Lord Krishna. A small temple of Lord Shiva as well as another temple of Gauri Shankar is also located here. A fair is organised here on the occasion of Janam Ashtami.
Geeta Mandir:
This temple is located near Mardane Ghat on the way to Pundarik. It has holy hymns (Shlokas) of the Geeta, Ramayana and other religious scriptures written on its walls.
Shiva Temple:
It is located in the premises of the Pundarik Shrine. In Circa 1520 AD, a temple (matha) was seen on this site, it was then known as the matha of Baba Thandi Puri. He was a disciple of Lord Shiva.
Old Shiva-Parvati Temple:
It is also located at Pundarik. People use water and sweets (bataslias) to pay their respects to Shiva and Parvati during the days (Jagaran Kaal) of Maha Shiva Ratri.
Rudhmal Temple:
It is located at Beri in Rohtak district. It has a 105-year old Shivalaya whose height is 116 feet. The statues on figurines of 24 avataras (incarnations) of the lord have been created in the temple (from bottom to top). The Shivalaya was built in 1892. In 1953, it was renovated. Again, in 1990, it was refurbished. One Hanuman temple, one Durga temple and one Radha-Krishna temple are also located in the premises of this temple. The Radha-Krishna temple is also called Shri Nand Nandan Thakur.
Thakurdwara of Kutani:
It is located at village Kutani at a distance of 23 km from Jhajjar. It was got constructed by Shauji Singh in 1901. The height of this temple is 50 ft. An 8-metal alloy (Ashta dhatu) has been used to make the statues of Radha and Lord Krishna. For these statues, jewellery (weighing 50 Tolas) was got made. This jewellery is intact and decorating the idols. In the deepest chamber (Sanctum Sanctorum), the tales from the life of Lord Krishna have been depicted as paintings. But their colours are fading now-a-days.
Chilta Temple of Yamunanagar :
It is located at Yamunanagar. It was got built nearly 60 years ago. The praying site of Mahant Shri Ganga Nand Giri Ji is located here when the Pandavas were heading towards Kurukshetra for waging the War against the Kauravas, they had taken rest here. Hanuman was residing, albeit in a secret manner, on the top of the chariot of Arjuna, When the Pandavas stopped here, Hanuman showed Himself as a white person at the site. Later a white statue of Hanuman was installed here and that is why, it was called Chitta Mandir (white temple). A fair is organised every Tuesday at this temple and desires of the masses are fulfilled here.
The Sarvadharma temple of Lord Parashuram is located at Jagadhari. It has an architectural style of the medieval age. The statues of the prophets and saints of all the religions have been installed in this temple.
Its depth is 42 ft. and the number of its storeys is 11. Its height is 55 ft. 3 inches. A hospital and a training centre (sewing) is also located in the premises of this temple. Pancham Kaal Jain Temple.
It is located at Budia in Yamunanagar district. Several years ago, a statue of Lord Parshva Nath was found here. It was installed in the temple. It is also called Digamber Nath Jain Temple. The statues of Lord Mahavir Swamy), Vimal Nath, Devi Padmavati and Loid Parshva Nath can be seen here.
Adi Badri Narayan Temple:
It is located at a distance of 35 km, from Jagadhari on the Bilaspur Ranjitpur road near Kathgarh villlage. It is located in the Shivalic hill range. The river Saraswati had originated here. During the Mahabharata era, Lord Badrinanfyan had visited this temple. Ved Vyasa had sat on the western bank of Saraswati and written Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapurana.
Later, Adi Shankaracharya located this place and got a temple constructed. In 1823, Purushottam Ashram got this temple renovated. Towards its eastern side, there is a temple of Lord Kedarnath. Towards its northern side, goddess Mantra has her presence. Towards its west there is a temple of Adi Badri Narayan. Towards its south, the Saraswati river is located (which does not flow in the present era). On the occasion of the seventh Teej of Baisakh, an annual fair is organised here.
Located at a distance of 5 km from Chhachhrauli, this temple is only 23 km away from Jagadhari (on the Chhachharauli Bilaspur road). The statue of this temple is believed to be nearly 350 year old. Devouts throng the temple every Tuesday and Saturday.
This 300 year old Shiva temple is located at village Kiloi in Rohtak district. On the phalluns (Shiva lingum), there is a statue of Lord Shiva, this is a rare event. Newly married couples seek blessings of the Lord at this temple. People offer milk (every Monday) to the Lord. Fairs are organised in the months of February and August.
Mansa Devi Temple (Mani Majra) :
It is located at a distance of 9 km from Chandigarh near Mani Majra. Fairs are organised during the Navratra days of Chaitra and Ashwin months (Every year) in this temple.