| |
| Rigvediya
Manusa 7 Manasa Tirtha |
Manusa 7 Manasa
Tirthaha Manusa sanctum - situated at
Manasa village, 7 kms. away from Kaithal.
Manasa village - exists at a distance
of 1 km of Vaidika river `Apaya' or
Pauranika `Apaga' and its importance
stands proven being situated in district
Kaithal and referred in Rigveda. Vaidika
seer founds fire here:
`Nitva dadha a prithisya ilayasapade
sudinatve ahnama |
"Drisadvatyama
Manusa payayama Saraswatyama revadagne
didiha".||
Rigveda,
1/23/4.
In the above said hymn, a Vaidika
seer asks to lit fire in Manusa between
`Drisadvati and Saraswati rivers.
Doubtless, in Mahabharata, its name
and fame has been described as below:
"Tatogachcheta Ragendra Maniram
lokavishrutam |
Yatra Krisnamriga Ragan vgadhena shrapidita
||
Vigahya tasmina sarasi manusatvamupagataha
|
Tasmina tirthe naraha snatva brahmachari
samahitaha ||"
Sarvapapa vishuddhatma swargaloke
mahiyate ||
Mahabharata, Vanaparva, 83/65-67.
(Therefore, O Rajendra (king) there
after one should go to famous holy
place, Manusa Tirtha The herbs of
black dears, wounded with the arrows
of the hunter, after bathing in this
pond, have attained the man - from.
For this, it is called Manisa Tirtha.
A devotee, following the order of
celibacy and having complete control
on his mind and heart, after bathing
in this pool becomes sin-free and
finds place in heaven.)
Some scholars opine that Manusa
holy place is linked with Apaga sanctum
near Kurukshetra's Karnajheela (a
huge pond). Factually, the location
of Apaya or Apaga at a distance of
one km is accepted by Mahabharata
and Purana both respectively.
`Manusasya to puruena koshamatra
Mahipte |
Apaga nama vikhyata nadi siddhanivesita.
||'
Mahabharata - Vanaparva 83\67.
Vamana Purana also says:
"Manusasya to purvena koshamatre
dwifottama |
Apaga nama vikhijata nadi dwifaniveshita
||
In Rigveda also Apaga and Manusa
are described with Saraswati and Drisadanti
in one verse or hymn. And above given
description comes just after the reference
of Kaithal's Vriddha kedara Turtha
in Kapisthala > and Kapisthala.
See
Mahabharata, Vanaparva, chap. 83,
Verse 74.
Manasa is situated in the east, one
mile away from Apaga ( now a Government
canal ). Residents of the nearby area,
accepting this canal as Saraswati,
bathe in it and perform rituals on
holy occasions. Old record of irrigation
department calls it as Saraswati.
Therefore, old Apaya's or Apaga's
rocking waves flow-path was here.
Keeping in view all this data, it
remains proved that `Manasa' is the
name of Rigvaidika village `Manusa'
and the existance of Apaya or Apaga,
at a distance of one km, is an established
fact without any controversy.
|
|
|
| Apaya Tirtha
- Gadali |
| Riigvraidika
Manisa Tirtha and Pauranika Apaya
or Apaga river used to run with
its violent velocity in the east
of Manusa at a distance of one
km only. In Vamana purana, Apaga
has been called a rainy river
among the rivers of Brahmavarta.
In the east of Kaithal, at
a distance of 3 kms. from Manusa
in the direction of Kaithal,
this sanctum is situated at
the village Gadali. The worshippers
who offer Sawan rice, prepared
in milk and mixed with ghee,
to the Brahmans and perform
'Shraddha' sites on the Apaya
river-bank, become free from
every sin, get their wishes
fulfilled as their forefathers
wish that in their family a
son or grandson, who will perform
'Tarpana' with tila etc., we
will remain satisfied up to
hundreds of kalpas. At a small
distance from here, in the west
'Brahmodumkara Tirtha' - one
of the best places of Brahma
- is situated. |
|
|
| This
'Kunda' (a type of deep pond was built
by Bharadwaja, Gautama, Jamadagni, Kashyapa,
Vishwamitra, Vasistha and Lord Abhi
like hermits etc. Its situation has
been established village `Shilakhedi'
near Kaithal by the Kurukshetra Vikas
Board. This pond remains in a dilapidated
condition. But still it is believed
that a devotee who performs `Pindadana'
situals on fourteenth day of Krisna
Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada gets
moksha pada. |
|
|
| Kedara (Vriddhakedara)
Tirtha |
|
Mahabharata
described about this sacred spot.
Vamana Purana calls it Vriddhakedara
and Nilakanthi Commentary on Mahabharata
describes it as `Kapisthalasya
Kedara'. People say that this
was built by a wealthy man, Seth
Vidhichand, but it doesn't appeal.
Possibly it may be renovated by
him
Vamana Purana clearly states
that at this holy place `Vriddhakedara'
deva himself resides. `Swayama
devo Vriddhakedara samgyitaha'.
A person, after performing Tarpana'
rites and paying obeisance to
Lord Dindi, drinks three palmful
water - 'Chullakatrayam'- (36.116),
gets the fruit of going to one
of the eight Shiva Tirthas of
Varanasi i.e. Kedara Tirtha
(Actually five Kedaras are famous:
Kedaranatha, Tunganatha, Rudranatha,
Madhyeshwara, Kalpeshwara.)
Kapisthala of Brahmavarta had
remained the main centre for
performing penance and meditation.
|
|
| In
the same context a reference about 'Gyaraharudri
Tirtha' has also been given in various
Puranas. Adi Parva of Mahabharata depicts
the names of eleven Rudras. Though any
Purana has not mentioned these, yet
it is a fact that people had great faith
in them. |
|
|
| Brahmanakalina
Parisaraka - (Saraka Tirtha) - Shergarh
|
Aittaveya
Brahmana describes about it.
This pious place is situated
at a distance of four kms. from
Kaithal and one km away on Kaithal-Hissar
highway in the village Shergarh.
The above said Brahmana (8/1
or 2/10) tells a tale that Saraswati
saved Saint Kavasa and where
she went running, that place
was called `Parisaraka'. Possibly,
due to scorching heat-haze,
the close by forests of Kaithal
went on fire and just after
an in torrential rain, the speedy
Saraswati extinguished the flames.
And that place became the abode
of Sage Kavasa, known today's
as 'Parisaraka Ashrama' and
'Saraka Tirtha'.
1. P.V.Kane - Dharma Shastra
Ka Itihasa, Part 3, Page 1373.
|
|
|
| The
detailed description about this pious
place is found in Mahabharata and Vamana
purana as well. According to Mahabharata
there are three crore sacred spots in
this sanctum.
"Tato gachcheta Regendra Sarakam
Lokavishrutam |
Krisnapakshe Chaturdashyamabhigamya
Vrisadhwagam ||
Labheta sarva Kamana hi swargalokamcha
gachchati |
Tisra Kotyasty tirthanama Sarake Kunmandana
||"
( O! Rajendra, thereafter, one should
go to Saraka, a pious place where
on the 14th day of Krisnapaksha after
offering prayers to Lord Shiva, one's
all wishes are fulfilled and goes
to heaven.)
"Vamana Purana says it unattainable
in three lokas :
Tato gachcheta Sarakam trailokasyapi
durlabham | Krisnapakshe_______________________
||
Vama Pu/36/20-21.
On the basis of above depictions
`Parisaraka' is the oldest one among
the pious places of Kaithal. |
|
|
| Ilaspada
|
| Puranakara says
that the destroyer of all sins and remover
of all fears is 'Idaspada' sanctum,
near Kaithal.
'Idaspadam Cha Tabhaiva Tirtha papabhayapaham'.
Va. Pu. 36/24.
This is the same place where King
'Pururava' fell in love with 'Uravashi'.
A person who comes here gets the knowledge
about Lord Indra and seeks salvation.
|
|
|
| Devitirtha
Kalasi |
|
Tirth
is situated 2 kms. away on the
boundary of village Devigarha
and Kaithal-Karnal highway,
is known KimdanaKunda. . Vamana
Purana says that Goddess Durga,
in the forms of Bhadra-Nidra
Maya-Santani and Katyayani lives
here.
Va Pu Chap. 83/verse-80 |
|
|
|
| Amvajanma
Tirtha |
Mahabharata
has named it `Amvajanma Tirtha'
of Mahatma `Narada' whereas
Vamana Purana has called it
Maharsi Narada's famous `Ambajanma
Tirtha' Mahabharata has named
it `Amvajanma Tirtha' of Mahatma
`Narada'
whereas Vamana Purana has
called it Maharsi Narada's famous
`Ambajanma Tirtha'. According
to Vamana Purana, after murder
of Hiranya Kashyapa, Lord Vishnu
in the form of Nrisinhga had
a tough fight with. For thousands
of years with Lord Shiva in
the form of Sharabha. While
fighting, they fell in a pond.
On the bank of this pond, Narada
was meditating under Ashwattha
tree. When Devarsi saw them,
Shri Visnu, in the form of chalurbhuja
and lord Shiva in the form of
Linga appeared. Maharsi Narada
praised them in a verse and
said that from today this place
will be known as `Anyajanma'.
Any person, who will come here
and after having bath in this
pond will perform Terpana sites
for his forefathers, will get
the complete knowledge of senses.
This holy place is situated
at a distance of 5 kms from
Kaithal in the west in Dyoda
Village. |
|
|
|
|
| Pundarika
Tirtha - Pundri |
|
This
sanctum is situated 16 kms away
from Kaithal, on the Kaithal-Karnal
highway in the Pundri town. It's
reference is found in Mahabharata
and Vamana Purana also. This holy
place should be visited on the
10th day of Shukla Paksha in the
month of Chaitra Many temples
enhance its beauty. Born nearly
1870, the famous writer of Shri
Rama drama, poet Lala Devat-rama
and renowned stage actor Lala
Madan Lal belonged to s town.
Folk-tales teller, poet and singer
Gangarama Bhata also showed his
poetic excellence here. |
|
|
|
| Trivistapa
Tirtha - Tyontha |
Situated
at a distance of 40kms from
Karnal on Kaithal-Karnal road,
this is referred in Mahabharata
and vamana Purana after Pundarika
Tirtha. Vaitarani is one of
the seven famous rivers of Kurukshetra
(Saraswati, Apaga, Mandakiniganga,
Vasu, Kaushiki, Drisadvati and
Hiranyavati). A devotee, offering
prayer to Lord Shiva and having
bath in bad-deeds-destroyer
Vaitarani, attains the state
of bliss.
1)Yamana Purana/Chap. 34/6-7.
2)----do---- Chap. 36/41-42.
Except these holy places,
Mahabharata refers about `Phalgu
Thirtha'. Its detailed description
has already been given earlier.
In Pharal village where this
sanctum is situated, there are
many sacred places like `Sarvadevi
Tirtha', `Panikhata Tirtha',
`Sumahat Tirtha' etc. |
|
|
where
a devotee, after having a bath, gets
the fruits of `Agnistama-Atirama'
yajnas and Rajasuya yajna, Samkhya
(Jyana) and Yoga (Karma) knowledge
respectively.
1)Mahabharata, Vana Parva, 83/86-90
2)Vamana Purana, 36/47-51 |
|
|
| Mishraka
Tirtha - Nissang |
| This
sacred place is situated at a distance
of 24 kms. from Karnal on the Kaithal-Karnal
stretch. As per narration given in Mahabharata
and Vamana Purana, Mishraka means `Mishrita'
(conglomcrated) i.e. Mhatma Vyasa, after
making the mixture of all sacred places,
constructed this sanctum for Brahmanas.
Vamana Purana says that Vyasadeva mixed
all the pious places in this Tirtha.
A worshipper, who takes dip here gets
award of all baths taken in other sanctums.
|
|
|
| Devitirtha
Mohana -(Manojavati and Madhuvati) |
| This
is situated, 4 kms away from Pundri,
in Mohana village on Kaithal-Karnal
route. According to Mahabharata, these
holy place's description is given side
by side and it is said that "obeying
the religious orders, taking less meal
or food, who visits Vyasavana and bathes
in this sacred places, gets the fruit
of equivalent to the donation of thousand
cows. Amana Purana calls it `Manojava'.
It means that a person, who takes bath
in Manojava and Madhuvati, gets his
all ambitions fulfilled. In Mahabharata,
mainly three holy places' detail is
given i.e. `Devitirtha Shankhini' (Samgana),
`Madhuvati' (Madhuvana) and `Mrigadhuma'.
Though these are the different names
of `Devitirtha', yet their rewards quite
apart.
1)Mahabharata, vanaparva, chap.
83
2)Vamana Purana, chap. 36/verses,
54-55-56. |
|
|
| Vyasasthali
- Basthali |
Due
to Vedavyasa, this sacred place is
situated on Kaithal-Karnal road. All
the religious places are related with
Kurukshetra and Brahma, Vishnu, Mehesa
and other sages and seers. Its name
is `Devaipayana' also. According to
Mahabharata and Vamana Purana, the
meeting point of `Kaushiki' and `Drisadvati'
rivers exists in the land of Kurukshetra
and due to confluence if these rivers,
it was named as `Dwaipayana' and being
black called Krishna Dwaipayana. Due
to distribution and compilation of
vedas, Parashara' son is called `Krisnadwaipayana
Vedriyasa'. He is the writer of Bhagvata,
Mahabharata and 18 Puranas. So, on
the basis of such important and renowned
saint, this place was named as Vyasasthali,
in his own life-span. In the `Kimdatta
Kupa' a devotee should offer 16 palmful
`Tila'. By this offering he becomes
free from three loans i.e. Pitri Rina,
Guru Rina and Deva Rina. A bath in
Veditirtha awards him the fruit of
thousand cows' donation. Devi Bhagavata
narrates the sorrowful story of Vyasadeva.
After completion of his studies, Shukadeva
got married and following the order
of Grihastha ashrama, one day after
breaking the shackles of somestic
life and mentally disturbed, he went
to Kailasha mountain and started meditation.
One day, with his own meditation powers,
breaking the top of Kailasha, he started
shining like a second Sun. All gods
praised him. the sudden separation
of son shattered him badly. Aggrieved,
he started roaming hither and thither.
At last be reached Kailasha and started
calling his son cacaphonically. Then
Lord Shiva consoled him. Then he returned
to his hermitage and started living
peacefully. Therefore, this place
is called Vyasasthali. |
|
|
| Rasamangala
Tirtha |
|
In
the periphery of Songal village,
at a distance of 2 kms on the
border of Jakhauli and Songal
, this holy place is situated.Mahabhrata
and Vamana Purana do not depict
its importance. On the basis of
an anecdote it can be said that
Lord Brahma performed a special
`Yajna' in which all male gods
and female goddesses were invited,
Lord Brahma, to please the
gods, offered them their dear
most drink `Somarasa' (a special
type of drink brewed from `Somalata'
in vaidika period). Here is
an ancient big mound, out of
its upper layer, some earthen
pots are found. These prove
its antiquity. In the village,
it is called `Rasavta Tirtha'.
Vamana Purana, Chap. 36/Verses,
66-69. Mahabharata, Vanaparva,
Chap. 83, Verse 105-106. |
|
|
|
| Vamana Tirtha
- Saungala |
Situated
at a distance of 17 kms from
Pundri, in the south-west of
Saungala village, Mahabharata
and Vamana Purana vividly narrate
its importance. After bathing
in `Visnupada Sarovara' (a tank)
and paying obeisance to Lord
Vamana, a devotee, free from
all sins, becomes completely
purified and enters into Vishnu
Loka. A bather in `Kulumpuna
Tirtha' makes his all family
sinless. In Mahabharata's Vanapurana,
it has been named as `Sarvapapapramochanam'
and related to Hari or Lord
Visnu. In `Jyesthama Tirtha',
if a devotee, on the eleventh
day of Shukla Paksha (bright
moon-lit period) in the month
of Jyestha, keeping himself
away from any and every food
and on the 12th day takes bath,
seeks `Mukti'.
Mahabharatha, Vanaparva, Chap.
83/Verses 103-104. |
|
|
|
|
| Kotikuta
Tirtha -Keorak |
|
Tirtha
is situated 10 kms. away from
Kaithal-Pehowa road Devi Kunti,
suffering from the feeling of
hate towards herself, on the advice
of a saint, bathed here and become
sin-free. It is commonly believed
that person becomes sinless after
bathing here. In the 25th chapter's,
Verses 41, Brahma Purana says:
'Saptarsikundam tatha
tirtha devyaha sujambukam |
Ihaspadam kotikutam kindanam
kimjapam tatha ||'
|
|
|
|
| Naimisakunja
Tirtha - Naunch |
On
the Kaithal-Pehowa road, 8 KMs
away from Kaithal and at a distance
of 49 KMs. from Kurukshetra
this holy place is situated.
According to Mahabharata, Sauti
on the advice of saints, narrated
the complete story of Mahabharata
in Naimisaranya. In the Vanapurana
of Mahabharatha it is stated
that the sages of Naimisa forest
constructed Naimisakunja.
Then they erected `Saraswati
Kunja' which is called today
`Naimisakunja'. Vedavyasa says
that a bather in Srikunja named
`Sarswati Tirtha' gets the fruit
of `Agnistoma' yojna.
Mahabharata,Vanaparva,Chap.
83/Verses-108-110.
Close by this holy place `Vedavati
Tirtha' also exists.
Mahabharata,Vanaparva,Chap.
83-84/Verses, 111-64. |
|
|
| We
find a brief description about this
holy place in Mahabharata, whereas a
detailed description in Vanmana Purana
has been given. In Ramayana, this holy
place is concerned with Sita. The King
of Lanka, Ravana, full of ego and ahamkara
(I am only the powerful) captured the
hair-locks of Vedavati as he was criticising
Lord Visnu. Feeling insulted, she decided
to put herself in fire and said to Ravana
that she will reborn to kill him. Then
she went into flames and took rebirth
in the form of King Janaka's daughter.(1)
Vamana Purana says that Sita was forcibly
taken away and then her husband, Shri
Rama, killed Ravana and brought her
back to home.
`Tatra tirtha mahakhyatam Vedavatya
nisevitam'(2)
A devotee who bathes here gets the
fruit of Kayadana, gets bliss and
becomes completely free from all sins.
(3)
`Aisa Vadavati nama purvamasitakrita
yuge |
bheta yugamanuprapya vadhartha tasya
rakshasah ||
utpanna Maithilakula Janakasya mahatmanaha
|||'
(1) Ba.Ra/uttarakanda, 17/38. (2)
Va.Pu. Chap. 37/Verse 8. (3) --do-
-do-- /Verse 12-13.
Mahabharata calls it as `Kanyatirtha'.
On the basis of Indian time calculation,
the Mahabharata war happened in Dwapara
age and before this in Treta age Rama-Ravana
war erupted and Ramayan was written
in this period. therefore Vedavati
Tirtha is of Treta age. |
|
|
| Brahma Tirtha
|
| Mahabharata
and Vamana Purana both depict this holy
place. In this sacred spot even a person,
not belonging to Brahmana community,
becomes Brahmana. Situated in Thana
village, on Kaithal-Pehowa road, this
sanctum is spread over the area of 115
acre land of Thana village. |
|
|
| Soma Tirtha
- Sainsa |
| Today
it does not exist. According to villagers,
on its land cultivation is going on.
Vama Purana calls it a meditation place
of moon Lord.
Va. Pu. Chap. 37/Verse 15-16. |
|
|
| Gandharava
Tirtha - Gauhrankhedi |
|
Situated
at a distance of 17 kms. from
Kaithal in the North-West of
Gauhrankhedi, Mahabharata and
Padma Purana both give its description
related with Gandhavas, it is
called such. Lord Krishna's
elder brother Balrama paid a
visit here. According to Mahabharatakara,
`Subhumika' sanctum is a play
ground of `Apsaras'.
Balramaji, after having a bath,
enjoyed the divine music and
paid obeisance to the idols
of Gods, Gandharvas and Demons
reached here. Many Gadharvas
like Vishwavasu organise ear-soothing
music here. A fair is held every
year on the eight day of Shravana
month. Temples of Lord Shiva
and Goddess Durga exists here.
|
|
|
|
| Rinamochana
Tirtha - Rasina |
Vamana,
Brahma and Matsya Puranas describe
about its sanctity and importance
widely. Mahabharata does not
refer about it. Pauranika scriptures
call it `Rinamochana' or `Rinaparamochana'.
In general language it got the
name of `Rinamochana'.
According to a brief tale,
in the old times king Kakshivana
had two sons. His oldest son
`Prithushrava' didn't marry
and not paid any type of obeisance
to Agni. Second son also did
so. On seeing this, the Pitrigana
advised them that should go
to the bank of Gautami, take
a bath in it and perform `Tarpana'.
After performing all these rituals
the eldest brother will become
free from `Pitririna' and younger
brother from `Parivitti' (due
to being elder brother unmarried,
if younger gets married, the
latter one becomes sinful and
remains unhappy) sin. They performed
all sites with pure heart and
became free from all sins. According
to Brahma Purana Rinamochana
sanctum makes a man free from
Shrauta, Smriti and other types
of all sins. |
|
|
A
devotee becomes happy after taking
bath and offering donations here.
`Tatra snancna danana sisni muktaha
sukhi bhavet'. Vamana Purana says
that served by Lord Brahma a devotee
who worship here remains free from
Deva, Risi and Pitri loans.
`Rinairmukta bhavennityam devarsipitri
sambhsvaiha'
A pool also exists where two ghats
are there, one for males and second
for females.
1)Brahma Purana/Chap. 99/12.
2)Vamana Purana/Chap. 41/6. |
|
|
| Alepaka
Tirtha - Shakra (Samkra) |
|
This
pious place, on the Kaithal-Karnal
road, is situated at a distance
of 15 kms. in the Samkra or
Shakra village. Vamana Purana
relates it with Lord Shiva.
After Taking bath and offering
prayers to Lord Shiva, all sins
slip away.
Vamana Purana/Chap. 36/ Verses
43-44.
|
|
|
|
| Kulottarrana
Tirtha - Kaul |
This
place is situated at a distance
of 28 kms. from Kurukshetra
in the village of Kaul. To make
the families free from all bad
deeds, this sanctum had been
named as such. Kurukshetra,
with the same name, has three
sacred places.
First Kismich, second Kultarana
(Kaithal) and third Kulottarana
(Kaul). Vamana Purana has described
it in the verses 74-75.
(1) See Vamana Purana, Chap.
36/Verses from 68 to 75.
Following the four
disciplines, the devotees after
having bath here, make their
21 families free from all bondages:
`Brahmachari grihasthaha cha
vanapracthe yatistatha |
Kulani tarayeat snataha sapta
sapta cha sapta cha || '
1) Vamana Purana, Chap. 36/62-65. |
|
|
|
|
| Pavanahrida
Tirtha - Pabanava |
| Vamana
purana says that Pavana, aggrieved with
the loss of her son (Hanumana), disappeared
in a sarovara (pond). A worshipper,
who takes bath in this pond and pays
obeisance to Lord Maheshwara, frees
himself from all sins and gets `Shivapada'.
According to Mahabharata this holy place
is most important of Marvdaganas. After
taking a dip here one goes to Visnuloka.
`Pavanasya hrade snatva Marvtama
tirthamuttama |
tatra snatva naravyaghra visnuloke
mahiyate ||'
Mahabharata, Vanaparva 83/105.
In ancient period this must have
remained in the form of a big lake.
|
|
|
| Kulottarana
Tirtha - Kulatarana |
| This
sanctum is situated in two villages,
according to a book `48 Kosa Kurukshetra
bhumi ki parikarma' published by the
Kurukshetra Vikas Board, Haryana.
1) In Karnal district's village Kismich.
2) In the village Kaul of District
Kaithal.
In Vamana Purana's chapter 36, a
description about Kulottarana Tirtha
at Kirmich has been given in the verses
74-76. About Kolottarana sacred spot
the same reference has been given.
therefore, being self contradictory,
scholars do not agree. Possibly giving
it the name of `Kotitirtha', there
is a conspiracy. Possibly it has been
dug up by some mahatma to quench the
thirst of the villagers. This holy
place is situated in `Kultarana' village,
near Kaithal. A `Kulottarana' pond
is there which is spread out in 5
acre land.
Vamana Purana's chapter 36 says :
"Tatra tirthe naraha snatva
amritvamavapruyata |
Kulottaranamasadya tirthasevi divijottama
||"
Vamana Purana says that a devotee
who dips here becomes immortal and
makes his maternal-paternal families
completely free from all sins.
Vamana Purana, Chap. 37/4-5
These are the sanctums of Kurukshetra
and Kaithal districts. |
| |
|
|
