Bhartrihari Temple Alwar

Bhartrihari Temple Alwar is a vibrant pilgrimage centre located in the district of Alwar, Rajasthan. The site attracts tourists and devotees alike from all across the country. The temple revolves around the legend of King Bhartrihari who is said to have spent the last years of his life in this ancient place amidst the hills. The peaceful ambiance surrounding the temple presents its visitors with peace of mind in abundance.
Buses to Alwar are available at regular intervals from Delhi, Jaipur and Bharatpur from Alwar one may board a bus or hire a taxi to reach the site. The nearest airport to the region is Indira Gandhi International Aiport, Delhi which is 141 Km away followed by Jaipur International Airport, about 166 Km away. The Shatabdi Express from Delhi to Jaipur which halts at Alwar.

History
There are many myths about the Maharaja Bharthari. Some believe there was a Brahman in the city of Ujjain who meditated for years and received the fruit of immortality from the Kalpavriksha. The Brahman gifted to the then King of Ujjain, Bharthari. King in turn gave it to his wife, Rani Pingala. The fruit was passed by her to her beloved who was another official of the state of Ujjain. The official gave it to his wife Lakha who loved the King and gave it back to him. The King ate the fruit and became immortal. But getting back the gift, Maharaja Bharthari realized his wife’s disloyalty towards him and in his grief gave up his kingdom and became a sadhu in search of salvation.

Another story says that Raja Bharthari on his way back from hunting saw a woman sacrificing her life by jumping into her husband’s pyre. Maharaja Bharthari also wanted to test his wife’s devotion. So the next time he went for a hunt, a messenger upon the king’s request brought back news of his death to Rani Pingala. She died on hearing the news itself. When King Bharthari came to know this, he was shattered. In his grief, he gave up the worldly luxuries and became a monk.

The king became a disciple of Guru Gorakhnath. He meditated here in Rajasthan and prayed to God for water. His sincerity and devotion was answered by God and rivulet appeared from rock underneath. Baba Bharthari as he was known later had buried himself live in the place where the temple stands today. Disciples of Baba Bharthari have kept a lamp alight ceaselessly. In addition, a Dhuni (fire place) has been kept blazing constantly by the sadhus.

Best Time to Visit Bhartrihari Temple
Since the temple follows all traditions of the Nath cult, all festivals related to Lord Shiva are celebrated here with a lot of zest and passion. During the month of Bhadrapad, a special mela or a fair is held over here, which is also the best time to visit, when the temple is all lit up and decorated beautifully. During this month, thousands of devotees and tourists visit the temple to pay homage to the deity.

How to Reach Bhartrihari Temple
The temple is located very near to Alwar, therefore the best way to reach the temple is to either hire a taxi or rent a car and drive down to the temple.

Monuments in Alwar

Monuments in Alwar is a where the journey of the Fairy Queen ends! The oldest working engine in the world and one of India’s national treasure, Fairy Queen leads a train from Delhi encampment to Alwar in Rajasthan. The engine was built in 1855 and acquired by the Eastern Indian Railways from a British firm. The train that harnesses this engine is now used for tourism. The journey of the city of Alwar and its origins can be traced back to 1500 BC. Nestled in the lap of the green hills of the Aravalli range, it is home to beautiful palaces and forts from an era long gone. The deep valleys and thick forest cover of the hills are a haven for many species of birds such as grey partridge and white-throated kingfisher and animals, most notably, the Bengal tiger and golden jackal. It is this splendour and exquisite architecture, along with the calm lakes, royal hunting chalets, dense jungles and a socio-cultural environment unlike any other that makes Alwar a traveller’s delight. Alwar is one of the oldest cities in Rajasthan. Paradoxically, the city is also the most recent of the Rajput kingdoms. Its traditions can be traced back to the realms of Viratnagar that flourished here around 1500 BC. Also known as Matasya Desh, this is where the Pandavas, the mighty heroes of the Mahabharata, spent the last years of their 13-year exile.