Phalgu ‘teerth’ of Kaithal

Vijay Sabharwal

The ‘teerth’ of Phalgu Rishi of the ‘Puranic’ age is situated at Pharal village in Kaithal district, on the Dhand-Pundri road, about 32 km from Kurukshetra town. A 14-day mela will be organised in the village from September 25 to mark Somavati Amavas, falling on October 8.

The historic fair is held in Pharal village during Somavati Amavas falling in the month of ‘Shravan’ (Hindu calendar) in September-October. The ‘teerth’, known as ‘Phalgu Teerth’, enjoys the status and importance as the ‘Gaya ji Teerth’ of Bihar. It is named after Phalgu Rishi, who used to pray here in a forest named ‘Phalki Van’.

According to Hindu religious texts, three daughters of the king of Gaya were married to Phalgu Rishi. The daughters were always keen on visiting Gaya on auspicious occasions to accrue ‘punia’ of that land. But the ‘rishi’ was unable to send them there on every occasion. In order to gain the beneficial effects of the Gaya Teerth, Phalgu Rishi prayed incessantly. As a result, he got a boon that by offering 'pind' (food) to departed souls on Somavati Amavas, one would derive the same benefit as by performing the ritual at the Gaya Teerth.

Somavati Amavasya in the month of Shravan during the ‘Pitri Paksha’ or black fortnight is a rare occasion that comes only once every 10 or 12 years.  For the people of north India, this is a special day for offering ‘Pinda’ to the departed souls.  Hence people from all over northern India offer 'Pinda' after chanting prayers to the sacred pond at the heart of Pharal village.

Incidentally, no ‘Pinda’ is offered at Gaya on this particular day, though it is done throughout the year.  Therefore, Pharal village has the special privilege on this day and is treated as the Gaya of north India. 

There is a small temple dedicated to Rishi Phalgu located on the bank of the pond. Most of the descendants of the natives of this place have now moved out of the village, but still they come here occasionally to offer prayers to their ancestors. The original village is located at some height from the pond, which can be seen when walking through the village, as the streets are quite steep. As you go through the streets, you can see the remains of 'havelis' of the people who once lived here. It is believed to be a very sacred place.

Kaithal Deputy Commissioner Dharamvir Singh says that the Haryana Government has sanctioned Rs 5 crore for making arrangements for over 10 lakh pilgrims. He says that efforts will be made to control the traffic during the last three days of the fair. Security arrangements are being made and the entire area will be under CCTV camera surveillance. Jagdip Singh, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Civil), Kalait, has been appointed ‘mela’ administrator. 

As there is hardly any open space available around the ‘teerth’, 90 acres have been taken on lease from farmers for the fair. Public toilets and parking for vehicles will be created in the area. De-watering of the holy tank is being done to put in fresh water before the arrival of pilgrims.

 (The writer is a journalist based at Kurukshetra)