Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple (Haryana, India)

Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple at Thaneswar in Kurukshetra is another holy center. Kurukshetra is a small sacred town for the Hindus. It is small and distinct. With an air of an ancient presence, lies the Sthaneshvara Mahadev Temple at Thanesar. It was here that the Pandavas prayed to Lord Shiva and received his blessings for victory in the battle of Mahabharata. The ninth Guru, Shri Tegh Bahadur stayed at a spot near the Sthaneshwar Tirtha that is marked by a gurdwara. The temple of Sthaneswar is the abode of Lord Shiva say the devote. It once formed an important part of the kingdom of the King Harsha Vardhan of the Pushyabhuti dynasty. It isalso believed that Lord Shiva was first worshipped here in the form of a linga. The ancestor of the Mahabharata heroes, Kuru, performed penance on the banks of the Yamuna and Parshurama, the great warrior and sage killed many Kshatriyas (warriors) here. Legend has it that the waters of the tank adjoining the temple are holy. A few drops of water cured the King Ban of leprosy. And, no pilgrimage of Kurukshetra is believed to be entirely complete without a visit to this holy Temple. The tank and temple lie a short distance from Thanesar town, which gets its name from this temple.

About the Deity
The temple of Sthaneshwar is the abode of Lord Shiva. It once formed an important part of the Kingdom of King Harsha Vardhan of the Pushyabhuti dynasty. The temple with a domical roof follows regional type of architecture. The facade of the roof is shaped like an 'amla' shape along with a tall pinnacle. The 'Linga' is ancient and worshipped still by the people.

Main Attractions
Bhisham Kund Narkatari: About one and half miles from Thanesar on Kurukshetra-Pehowa road lies a tank named Narkatari. It is here say legends, that Bhishma Pitamah of Mahabharata epic lay on a bed of arrows. Kamal Nabhi: Adjacent the town of Thanesar lies the temple of Kamal Nabhi. The Nabhi Kamal is a sacred tank. Mythology has it that the tank houses a sacred lotus that happens to play abode to Lord Bramha (one of the Trinity Gods). The Lord is believed to have manifested from the navel of the lotus. The temple here has the images of Lord Vishnu and Brhama.