Ritika
Miraculous Shivling of Vankhandi Mahadev Temple
– Photo: Amar Ujala
Expansion
The fame of the Mahadev temple located in Midhavali village of Sadabad area has spread far and wide. Shiva devotees from far and wide reach here for Jalabhishek in Mahashivratri. Mughal ruler Aurangzeb attacked the temple, tried to uproot it, even got it excavated but could not shake it. Spade marks are still present on the Shivling.
About six thousand years old Vankhandi Mahadev Temple is situated on a mound on the bank of Yamuna in the forest of village Midhavali, 20 km away from Tehsil headquarter. People of surrounding districts also have faith in this. A huge fair is held at the temple on the occasion of Mahashivaratri. Hundreds of devotees reach from far and wide for Darshan and Abhishek. The temple is being prepared by painting and painting for Shivratri. The depth of the five and a half feet high and four and a half feet wide Shivling has not been known till date.
Can’t hug you by challenging
This temple is also known by the name of Miraculous Mahadev. The legend is also that no one can fill the Shivling in his arms by challenging him. This suddenly becomes possible during service or worship.
Pandavas also worshiped
Pandavas have been associated with Vankhandi Mahadev Temple. According to legend, the Pandavas spent some time here during their exile. During this, Bholenath was worshipped. Narad’s penance Mandore is also one kilometer away from the temple. That area falls in Mathura district. The mention of the ancient form of the temple is given in the book named Brajmanjari.
This is how the temple was renovated
The Shivling is of the Copper Age. It was buried in the dunes. About 100 years ago, a Seth of Agra was told in a dream by Bholenath to remove the mound and bring out the statue. That Seth came to the village Midhavali and informed the villagers, removed the mounds and cleaned the Shivling site and got the temple constructed. In August 1996, the devotees rebuilt this temple. Today this temple is on the Yamuna Expressway. A fair is held here every year on Shivratri.
Since childhood, I have been hearing about this temple from my father. Aurangzeb also attacked the temple. Even today there are marks of attack on Shivling with spade. – Baba Mangaldas, priest
People come here from far off places and fill the Shivling in their arms and ask for their wishes. It is a belief that wishes are fulfilled on asking here. – Baba Laxman Das Pujari
Years old temple. Devotees come here from far off places and ask for their wishes. When wishes are fulfilled, bells and bhandaras are organized here. A fair is held here in the month of Shivratri and Sawan. Force is also deployed to handle it. – Baba Mohan Das, Priest
