Garh Mukteshwar, considered by many to be one of the most sacrosanct tirthasthalas of Akhanda Bharat has many temples of great antiquity. Said to have been a part of the Kuru kingdom, Garh Mukteshwar is famous for the five Lingas (pancha lingas) consecrated by Parashurama, a stunning Ganga Temple and smaller temples that date back to the Vedic period.
A lesser-known ancient well of the Dwapura Yuga is Nakka Kuan or Nahush Koop. Nahush Koop is named after the legendary king Nahusha who had the privilege of being anointed the king of the heavenly worlds before a lapse of judgement saw him turn into a girgit (chameleon or serpent). On being cursed by Agastya Maharshi, Nahusha fell from the meritorious worlds and lay quietly in the dense forest of Garh Mukteshwar.
A chance meeting with Dharmaraja Yudhishtira helped him gain clarity on the matter of dharma and on the advice of Dharmaraja Yudhishtira performed a yaga that rid him of his curse. Nahusha built a temple over the Shiva Linga established by the mighty Parasurama as well as a kuan or koopa that has water from the holy Ganga.
The water of this kuan is revered by locals and devotees and it is customary to take a dip in this well if one wants to be free from mental and physical ailments.
This temple and kuan has remained largely in obscurity for years and it would be wonderful if Garh Mukteshwar is promoted as a spiritual destination
Written by Lakshmi Subramanian
* Photos are only symbolic (Taken from public domain/internet and any copyright infringement is unintentional and regrettable)
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