Gagadwala temple cries for attention

Shiv Kumar Sharma

The ancient ‘Gagadwala Temple’ of Sadhaura town in Yamunanagar district, where devotees perform various rituals and ceremonies, lies in a state of neglect.

The sacred pond situated on the temple premises is not cleaned properly. As a result, it becomes very difficult for devotees to bathe and perform rituals.

Residents of this town have requested the authorities of the Municipal Committee to refurbish this ancient temple, which is crying for clean water, surroundings, proper lights and construction of ghats, but in vain.

“The town has many ancient beliefs and traditions attached to it and the ancient temple of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita, popularly known as Gagadwala Temple, is located here,” says Maharaj Ramdas, temple priest. He said there is a sacred pond in the middle of this temple, which is ancient and has many religious beliefs. People at Sadhaura perform their rituals and ceremonies at this ancient pond.

“There is a prominent tree known as Triveni Tree, in its purest form, inside the temple, where Garg Rishi, a very well-known saint stayed. The holy chapter of Skanda Puran, one of the holy books of Hinduism, mentions his stay,” says Parteek Bansal, a social worker and an active member of Gagadwala Temple Committee.

He said there is a south-facing idol of Hanuman along with the ancient Ram Darbar.

“The pond’s water is meant to be holy that even cures skin diseases. On other fronts, this pond is home to uncountable fish, which also deserve to have a neat and clean home,” says Bansal.

Not only Sadhaura residents, but people from nearby villages and areas that fall in its proximity also come to this temple to pray. The only complaint they have is that it is not maintained at all.

“The sacred pond is not cleaned properly and there are no arrangements for proper lights. It is very tough for devotees to take bath in the sacred pond due to dirty water, surroundings, improper lighting and non-construction of ghats,” says Bansal.

Residents of this town have requested the authorities of local municipal committee to take steps for the redevelopment of the sacred site.

They said the pond should be cleaned and ghats should be constructed around the pond to facilitate proper bathing experience for devotees. There should be proper installation of lights, including streetlights and benches should be kept around for the convenience of devotees.

Bansal said: “The urgency and importance of this work has already been communicated in person to the Deputy Commissioner of Yamunanagar and via a tweet to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Haryana, but no profound action has been taken.”

“It is our duty to protect the interest of our religion. Thus, it is our genuine request to refurbish the ancient and sacred ‘Gagadwala Temple’ of Sadhaura, along with the sacred pond and ‘Triveni tree’, as it serves as a centre for performing religious activities to many people in and around Sadhaura,” Bansal said.

Rakesh Walia, secretary, Municipal Committee, Sadhaura said: “The Sadhaura Municipal Committee is short of staff, which is becoming a major hindrance in undertaking development and other works in the MC area. But, we shall soon prepare a plan for development of the site of ancient Gagadwala Temple here.” 

Mentioned in ‘Skanda Puran’

The site of ancient ‘Gagadwala Temple’ of Sadhaura town of Yamunanagar district has a mention in ‘Skanda Puran’, say locals.