Bhayaharan Nath Dham, Pratapgarh
Baba Bhayharanath Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a Pandava era temple located in Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of the legendary Bakulahi River in village Katra Gulab Singh.
It is believed that during the period of exile, Pandavas established Shivalinga here in which Pandavas worshiped Lord Shiva. And everyone installed Shivalingas at different places and the Shivalinga here was installed by Bhima. In this temple of Lord Shiva, the Shivalinga of a mesmerizing Lord Shri Bhayharan Nath Ji (Bholenath) is installed. For whose darshan devotees reach here from every corner of the country.
Spread over an area of about 10 acres, this Dham, apart from the main temple of Shivalinga established by the Pandavas, has temples of Hanuman, Shiva Parvati, Santoshi Maa, Radha Krishna, Lord Vishwakarma, Baiju Baba etc. Due to its natural and unique beauty and being situated on the banks of Bakulahi River, this place is quite alive from spiritual point of view.
A huge crowd of people is seen in the month of Shravan, Malmas, Adhimas and Mahashivratri, however, there is a huge crowd on every Tuesday throughout the year and Jalabhishek and flag hoisting is done. On every occasion, shops selling sweets, sweets, fruits, vegetables, flower garlands and other items are decorated for the convenience of the devotees. Even in this month of Sawan, thousands of devotees, Kavadis and devotees have started gathering every day. There is a huge crowd every Monday and Tuesday throughout the month of Sawan.
History
Presently the construction and renovation of this temple has been completed by Brahmalin saint Shri Nagababa ji and local public cooperation. Many other mythological sites and ruins of the Mahabharata period are still present in this area, among which the mound of Unchdih village and the sculptures found in its excavation, the Sun Temple of Swarooppur village and the temple of Kamakhya Devi in Kamasin are prominent. Various types of folk tales and beliefs are prevalent regarding all this.
There is a popular legend about the importance of this temple in which it is said that when the Pandavas got exile, they were wandering here and there, hiding themselves. Then Bhima came here and established this Shivalinga after killing the demon Bakasura. Bhima had freed the villagers from the terror of the demon Bakasura by killing the demon Bakasura, after that he established Shivalinga for the welfare of the people and since then it was called Bhayahari.
The departed Lord Bholenath became famous among the people by the name “‘Bhav Bhayharanath'”.
Story
।।bheem bakaasur kee huee ladaee. tumhare bal tehi svarg pathaee..।।
।।paandav par ati krpa keenha. atishay bal au purukh deenha।।
।।tab bal bheem hidimbi maara. kinh dvetavann nirbhay saara।।
There is a story in Van Parva of Mahabharata, according to which after losing in gambling to the Kauravas, Yudhishthir went into exile with his brothers and Draupadi. According to the gambling stipulation, he had to remain incognito for one year. To live in exile, the Pandavas hid themselves in Dwaitavan, a dense forest area near Pratapgarh. Here the five Pandavas installed Shivalingas at different places to worship Lord Shiva. It is said that Dharmaraj Yudhishthir had killed the python-like demon in Raniganj Ajgra of Pratapgarh. Even today there are five Siddha places which were established by the Pandavas. Later Pandavas went to Virat Nagar of Nepal. Balkuni river has been mentioned in Mahabharata. According to linguists, the corruption of Balkuni became Bakulahi. Lord Bhayaharanath is present in the form of Linga on the banks of the present day Bakulahi River.
I pray again and again, please listen Bhayaharan Nath.
Lord, have a merciful glance, my heart is full, Lord.
Deenbandhu, Karuna Ayan, Kripa Sindhu Sukh Dham.
Salutations again and again to such an innocent soul.
Serve again and again, Vinay Bhayaharan Nath.
Please give me devotion Vimal Prabhu, I should say mercy now Nath.
Devotee, please do good Lord, my hope is fulfilled.
I am the ultimate sinner, I am simple, I am not sad.
architecture
The main temple is built on a high mound. In the temple, there is a circumambulation path around the main part of the temple and the sanctum sanctorum. Nandi bull is present in the courtyard outside the main temple as the vehicle of Lord Shiva. In front of the main temple, there is a physical idol of Shankar Parvati attached to the Baradari, which was constructed by the Kurmi Kshatriya community on 7 November 1960. There are mainly ten temples and three Samadhiyas in the Dham. Some temples here are also neglected. The architectural construction of the temple is based on North Indian architecture. According to Hindu architecture, every temple faces east in the direction of sunrise.
