Phalgu Teertha (Phalkivan)

The word ‘फल्क’ (Phalk) originates from the verb ‘फल निष्पत्तौ’ and ‘‘कृदाघाराच्र्चिफलिभ्यःकः’’ उणादि सूत्र with ‘ क: ’ (Kah) suffix in conjunction. Which
means ;giver;. At the same time, in the word ‘फलकी’ (Phalaki), Phalak is formed on the basis of इनि suffix , which means ‘फलकान्विते’ i.e. that which provides blessings. According to Amarkosh or Namaligangaanushasan Kanda 3 –

वार्तं फल्गुन्यरोगे च त्रिष्वप्सु च घृताऽमृते।।(३.३.४९८)

Here in ‘त्रिष्वप्सु’ i.e ‘त्रिषु अप्सु’, अप्सु (Apsu) That is, water means water indicator; Which indicates the pilgrimage. And yes, it is said in the Shabadkalpadrum for Phalakivan that ‘‘वनरूपतीर्थभेदे’’ means a forest-like place of pilgrimage.

Phalkivan, one of the seven forests of Kurukshetra, is a place of great virtue. Presently, Phalakivan is famous for Phalgu Teertha and Phalak Rishi mandir. These are in Village Pharal, and the village got its name from the famous temple and tirtha. Phalgu Tirth is mentioned in the holy scriptures of in Mahabharata and Vamana Purana.

Its description is also available in Matsya Purana and Narada Purana. In the Mahabharata and the mythological period, the importance of this shrine was at its peak. In both the Mahabharata and the Vamana Puranas, this shrine is known as the Tapasthali of the gods and sages. It is said that here in this forest, Sage Phalk used to do austerities; From this, the name of this forest became Phalakivan. Even today, his magnificent and ancient temple is present here. At present, the public knows the name of Shri Phalk Rishi as Shri Phalgu Rishi.
A legend is also well known in relation to Shri Phalk Rishi Ji. It is said that at a time when Kurukshetra was divided into seven forests and nourished by nine rivers, in Phalakivan, one of the seven forests, Shri Phalak Rishi used to do penance. Due to the austerity of the sage, this forest was so sacred that other sages and deities used to do penance here and get their desired blessings. During his penance, a demon named Gayasur ruled in Gaya. Gayasur promised that he would get his daughter Somavati married to the person who would defeat him in debate. Shri Phalk Rishi was told about the pledge of Gayasur and was requested to debate with Gayasur.

Shri Phalk Rishi agreed and went to &; Gaya &; and defeated Gayasur in the debate.

श्री फल्क ऋषि

श्री फल्क ऋषि जी

After this, according to the promise, Gayasur got Somavati married to sage Phalk. Knowing that Shri Phalk Rishi is full of all virtues, Gayasur along with Somavati also performed the ritualistic rituals of his two more daughters Bhoma and Goma with sage Phalk. In this way, after marriage, Gayasura gifted Gaya ji the gift of virtue found in the Shraddha performed for Paternal satiety (पितृतृप्ति) and said , “O Lord , the virtuous man gets from Paternal work ( पितृ कर्म ) in Gaya, while the virtue is also received in Phalkivan. That’s my boon.

The Sri Phalak Rishi Temple at Phalgu Tirtha (Phalkivan) is also called Lord Gadadhar Temple. He is considered to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, born to pacify Gayasura. According to a legend in the last chapters of the Vayu Purana, there was a huge Asura (Demon) named Gai. But he was a devotee of high order, originating in the Monster dynasty like the devotee Prahlada. Once, Gayasur performed intense penance on the Kolahal Mountain. Lord Vishnu asked Gayasur, “Why are you doing penance? We are satisfied with you, ask
for your wishes.” Gayasur replied, “I wish that I should become more holy than all the Devas, Dwijs, Yajnas, Tirthas, Rishis, Mantras and Yogis.” God said, “As you wish; your wish is granted.”

After this, anyone who saw or touched Bhaktaraj Gaya would have his sin and problems destroyed. This threatened to imbalance Lord Brahma’s delicate balance of the universe. Brahma, along with Lord Shiva, requested Shri Hari
Vishnu to solve this problem. Lord Vishnu advised Lord Brahma that he should ask for Gayasur’s body as a sacrifice for a Yagya. Hence, Lord Brahma went to Gaya. He said to Gayasur, “Hey Gaya! I have to perform a yagya. For this, I have searched all the pilgrimages, but I did not find any pilgrimage which is more sacred/ pure than your body, so for the yagya, please give me your body.” On hearing this, Gayasur was very happy and lay down on the Kolahal mountain, feet on the north side and facing towards the south to give his body. But Gaya’;s body was still moving. Lord Brahma tried everything to stabilize Gayasur’s active body, but all attempts failed. In the end, Shri Hari Vishnu seated himself on the rock near Gaya, s head in the form of Gadadhar, which finally stabilized Gayasur.

The abode of Lord Vishnu was very desirable to Gayasura. When Lord Vishnu was placed in the form of Gadadhar on his body, the movement of Gayasura’s body stopped. Gayasura wanted all the Gods to dwell on his body. Then Shri Hari gave the boon that from today this place, where a yagya has been performed on your body, will be known by your name and will be liberating. Vayu Puran chapter 105th describes –

गयासुरस्तपस्तेपे ब्रह्मणा क्रतवेऽर्थितः।
प्राप्तस्य तस्य शिरसि शिलां धर्मो ह्यधारयत्।।५।।
तत्र ब्रह्मऽकरोद्यागं स्थितोश्चापि गदाधरः।
फल्गुतीर्थादिरूपेण निश्चलार्थमहर्निशम्।।५।।

That is, “austerities were done by Gayasura at the request of Lord Brahma. “Brahma ji performed the yagna on the head of Gaya. There, Lord Vishnu is present day and night along with Phalgu etc. pilgrimages in the form of God Gadadhara in Gaya.

In Gaya, ancestors achieve nirvana by doing Pinddaan. Here, Mata Sita herself donated the body of her father-in-law Maharaj Dasharatha. In the above context mentioned in the Vayu Purana, the description of the river Phalgu or Phalgu pilgrimage is clear, while Lord Gadadhar is also said to be enshrined by the name of Phalgu. The city of Gayasur is located on the bank of the river Phalgu. Moreover, you will be surprised to know that Lord Vishnu, who defeated Gayasura in battle, is famous in Gaya as Phalgu or Lord Gadadhar and is seated there by the same name.

Let’s look at the importance of Phalakivan mentioned in the Puranas. The significance of this pilgrimage is clearly found in the Mahabharata’s Van Parva under the context of the pilgrimage: –

ततो गच्छेत राजेन्द्र फलकीवनमुत्तमम्।
तत्र देवाः सदा राजन्फलकीवनमाश्रिताः।।३-८१-८६॥
तपश्चरन्ति विपुलं बहुवर्षसहस्रकम्।
दृषद्वत्यां नरः स्नात्वा तर्पयित्वा च देवताः।।३-८१-८७।।
अग्निष्टोमातिरात्राभ्यां फलं विन्दति भारत।
तीर्ते च सर्वदेवानां स्नात्वा भरतसत्तम।।३-८१-८८।।

                   

That means “Hey Rajan! Must go to the best Phalkivan. There the Gods always live in the shelter of Phalakivan. There have been rigorous austerities done by the Gods for thousands of years. A man should bathe in Drishadvati and offer Tarpan to the Gods. By doing this, he get the blessings of both Agnishtom and Atiratra Yagyas, and taking a bath can dampen all the gods or ancestors.” While the Vamana Purana chapter 36th describes the importance of Phalkivan more clearly: –

ततो गच्छेत विप्रेन्द्र फलकीवनमुत्तमम्।
यत्र देवाः सगंधर्वाः साध्याश्च ऋषयः स्थिताः।
तपश्चरन्ति विपुलं दिव्यं वर्षसहस्रकम्।।४५।।
दृषद्वत्यां नरः स्नात्वा तर्पयित्वा च देवताः।
अग्निष्टोमातिरात्राभ्यां फलं विन्दति मानव।।४६।।
सोमक्षये च सम्प्राप्ते सोमस्य च दिने तथा।
यः श्राद्धं च मत्र्यस्तस्य पुण्य फलं श्रृणु।।४७।।
गयायां च यथा श्राद्धं पितृन्प्रीणाति नित्यशः।
तथा श्राद्धं च कर्तव्यं फल्कीवनमाश्रितैः।।४८।।
मनसा स्मरते यस्तु फलकीवनमुत्तमम्।
तस्यापि पितरस्तृप्तिं प्रयास्यन्ति न संशयः।।४९।।

After that, you should go to the holy Phalakivan, where the Deities, Gandharvas, Sadhya, Siddhas and Sages perform harsh and prolonged penances." By bathing in Drishadvati and offering water (Tarpan) to the Deities or ancestors , the results of both Agnishtom , Atiratra yagyas are achieved. Listen to the results of the person who performs the Shraddha of the ancestors on Monday on Amavasya. Just as the Shraddha performed in Gaya ji, the Shraddha performed in the Phalakivan gives happiness to ancestors (Pitras).

Whoever remembers the best Phalkivan from his mind , his ancestors also
achieve satiety. It does not have any doubt.”

At present , there is an ancient temple of Shri Phalk Rishi Ji at Phalgu Teertha of Phalakivan. In which a grand marble statue of Maharishi Phalk is installed. In accordance with the lineage tradition, which is currently being looked after by Pandit Shri Jaigopal Sharma. There is a huge lake in the south-west of the temple complex.

Millions of devotees perform Shraddha on the occasion of Pitripaksha to achieve the purpose of their ancestor’s peace. The Sarovar situated here is 800 feet in length and 300 feet in width. Currently, the government is doing the work of doubling the size. There are many beautiful temples on this famous pilgrimage, besides the temple of Falak Rishi.

There is a 17th century Mughal style Shiva temple built on an octagonal base near the ghat of the lake, which is about 30 feet hight. There is another Shiva temple in the Mughal style which is about 20 feet high and square in shape. One side of the square is 9 feet 6 inches. There is another temple here of Radha-Krishna which is built in the Nagara style, with a cone shaped peak. All these temples have been constructed with lakhauri bricks and in the later period they have been renovated using modern bricks. There is a very ancient, much-revered banyan tree near the ghat.

There is also a modern Shiva temple here. In the temple, there are statues of Nandi, Parvati, Ganesha and Shiva along with Shivling. Near this temple is a temple of Durga Devi, in whose sanctum, marble statues of Lord Shiva along with Durgadevi are revered.

This entire shrine is spread over 15 acres. At the time of the fair, a wide plot of land is acquired for the purpose of the fair. As you know, the Phalgu shrine is adorned in the famous Phalakivan in the seven forests of Kurukshetra. Situated in the village Pharal in Kaithal district of Haryana. The Phalgu Teerth center is 25 km from Kaithal, 27 km from Kurukshetra, and 20 km from Pehwa, almost on the Dhand-Pundri road. The nearest railway stations are Pehowa Road, Kaithal and Kurukshetra. Distance from Delhi is 188 km and from Chandigarh is 115 km. While the distance from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi is 197 km.

Drishdwati River

The Phalkivan of Kurukshetra is considered to be supremely sacred, being nourished by the waters of Saraswati and Drishdwati.

The description of the importance of Phalakivan, which provides ancestral fulfilment, does not end with the Phalgu Tirtha. This land has a great importance in the Origin and Development of civilization. Here Yajnagni was lit on the banks of the rivers Saraswati, Drishadwati, Aapaga –

‘ दृषद्वत्यां मानुष आपगायां सरस्वत्यां रेवदग्ने दिदीहि।
’ऋग्वेद (३.२३.४)

In the holy rivers of India, Drishdwati is named with respect. Drishdwati is the name of a river which is mentioned in the scriptures and the Puranas along with the sacred and famous rivers like Ganga and Saraswati. The flow route of this river has been Phalkivan (Pharal) through Kaul. However, at the present time only the remains of the path of the flow of Drishadvati are left. Which are located on the east side of the village of Pharal. In the earlier part of the Brahmanda Purana, the description received about India is also written-

गोमती धूतपापा च बुद्बुदा च दृषद्वती।
कौशिकी त्रिदिवा चैत्र निष्ठिवी गंड़की तथा।।२७।।

Along with Saraswati, Darshadwati is the famous river that has given dignity to Kurukshetra. Chapter 4th of the latter half of Narada Purana states –

सरस्वतीदृषद्वत्योर्देवनद्योर्यदंतरम्।
तं देवसेवितं देशं ब्रह्मावर्तं प्रचक्षते।।६४.६।।

That is, the place between the Holy rivers Saraswati and Drishadvati, which the gods consume, is called Brahmavarta i.e. Kurukshetra. This section of holy rivers like Saraswati and Drishadwati is the most sacred.” According to the Vamana Purana, while describing the holy rivers of Kurukshetra, it is also said-

दृषद्वती महापुण्या तथा हिरण्यवती।
वर्षाकालवहाः सर्वां वर्जयित्वा सरस्वतीम्।।
(वामन पुराण-३४/८)

That is, “Mahapunya Darshadvati and Hiranyavati. Except Saraswati, all the other rivers flow only during the rainy season.” In Matsya Purana section- 1, while describing the shrines worthy of Sharaddh, Mahamuni Vyas ji has written about the holy rivers –

यमुना देविका काली चन्द्रभागा दृषद्वती।
नदी वेणुमति पुण्या परा वेत्रवती तथा।।
पितृणां बल्लभाः ह्येताः श्राद्धेकोटिगुणाः मताः।
जम्बूमार्ग महापुण्यं यत्र मार्गो हि लक्ष्यते।।
(मत्स्य पुराण-१७/२०-२१)

That is, “Yamuna, Devika, Kali, Chandrabhaga, Drishadvati, Venumati and Param Punyamayi Vetravati rivers are very dear to the ancestors and are worth crores of times in Shraddha. The place Jambu Marg is very fruitful, especially where the Moksha Marg is visible.” So Drishadvati is the great virtuous river in Phalakivan region. There is not even a slight doubt.

Panishvar Shrine (Panikhata)

One can reach Panishwar Teertha by 2km contact route from Phalgu Tirtha village Pharal. This shrine is related to the Vayuputra Hanuman as is also clear from its name. The Temple of Lord Hanuman and a beautiful lake is situated on this shrine.

The Panishvara Teerth in Phalakivan is also said to be present in Vamana Purana and Mahabharata. The tenth chapter of the Anushasan Parva of Mahabharata mentions a pilgrimage by the name of Panikhata. The belief of which is that Panikhata is Panishvar. Because in the description of Phalakivan in the Van Parva of Mahabharata, it is written for it. Which confirms its presence in Phalakivan. According to the Van Parva of Mahabharata –

गोसहस्रस्य राजेन्द्र फलं विन्दति मानवः।
पाणिखाते नरः स्नात्वा तर्पयित्वा च देवताः।।3-81-89।।
अग्निष्टोमातिरात्राभ्यां फलं विन्दति भारत।
राजसूयमावाप्नोति ऋषिलोकं च विन्दति।।3-81-90।।

It is worthwhile that by taking a bath in this shrine, a person gets the same sacred as donating a thousand Rows. The sacred of Agnishtom and Atiratra Yagya is received. It is said that the person who performs ancestral sacrifices in the Panishvara Teertha uses the sacred of the Rajasuya Yagya. In the subject of Panikhata it is said in the Vamana Purana –

पाणिखाते नरः स्नात्वा पितृन् संतप्र्य मानवः।
अवाप्नुयाद् राजसूयं सांख्ययोगं च विदन्ति।।36.51।।

That is, &; After bathing in Panikhata, by offering the Tarpan of the ancestors, one attains the Sankhyayog and virtue of the Rajasuya Yagya.&; The topic of Panikhata is described in the Brahmanad Purana-

‘पाणिखातं मिश्रकं च मधुवटमनोजवौ।’
(ब्रह्माण्ड पुराण: 25/42)

There is presently a grand temple of Shree Hanuman ji on this Panishvar Teerth which has a beautiful statue of Bajrangbali.

bt_bb_section_bottom_section_coverage_image

Images of Phalgu Tirth

Phalgu Tirth

Phalkivan, one of the seven forests of Kurukshetra, is a place of great virtue. Presently, Phalkivan is famous for Phalgu Tirtha and Phalak Rishi mandir.
Our Address:
Prachin Phalgu Mandir Dharamshala
VPO - Pharal
District - Kaithal, Haryana, India
PIN - 136021

Connect with Us

^ Back to Top

@ 2024 Copyright by Phalgu Tirth. All rights reserved.

Phalgu Tirth

Phalkivan, one of the seven forests of Kurukshetra, is a place of great virtue. Presently, Phalkivan is famous for Phalgu Tirtha and Phalak Rishi mandir.
Our Address:
Prachin Phalgu Mandir Dharamshala
VPO - Pharal
District - Kaithal, Haryana, India
PIN - 136021

Connect with Us

^ Back to Top

@ 2024 Copyright by Phalgu Tirth. All rights reserved.