Farrukhabad located on the banks of the holy Ganga River is an important tirthasthala of immense religious and spiritual potency. Often referred to as Choti Kashi or Aparakashi, this sacrosanct place has been held in high esteem since the ancient times.
According to the Hindu scriptures and the Mahabharat, this entire place was a dense forest and had several hermitages on the banks of the Ganges. Dhaumya Maharshi who was the spiritual guide of the Pandavas lived close to Farrukhabad.
When the Pandavas and Kunti Mata narrowly escaped from Lakshagriha, they lived incognito in the thick woods in this area. It was Dhaumya Maharshi who encouraged them to participate in the Swayamwara of Draupadi in nearby Kampilya Nagar.
Historical evidence suggests that this temple of great antiquity was built at that time by Dhaumya Maharshi with the help of the Pandavas. The Shiva Linga of Pandeswar Nath is said to be consecrated by Dhaumya Maharshi. Maharshi offered Rudra abhishek and sought the blessings of Bhole Bhandari to help Arjuna win the hand of Draupadi.
When the Pandavas and Draupadi went into exile, they spent a great deal of time in this place meditating and worshipping Pandeshwar Nath. Later on, Lord Krishna visited the Pandavas and Draupadi along with a congregation of sages and imparted the Supreme Truth in this place.
The temple has been immaculately maintained by the devotees with a lot of open space for one to meditate, sing bhajans and do parayana. There are shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikeya, Gauri Mata and Lord Shankara, Dwadasha Jyotirlingas, Lord Hanuman, Radha Krishna, Prabhu Shree Rama and others. There is an old Peepul tree within the temple complex which is where the Pandavas and Kunti Mata sat for tapas (penance and austerities).
Locals say that there is a tunnel of the Mahabharat Period that leads to a secret chamber in Kampilya Nagar. Thousands throng this temple in the auspicious months of Shravan, Magha and Margashirsha and on Maha Shivaratri, Amavasya and Purnima.
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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