Bhalka Tirth

Gujarat, Gir Somnath, Gandhinagar

To the north of Somnath in the state of Gujarat is the spot where Lord Krishna is believed to have shot by a hunter and left his mortal body. As of mid 2016, the temple and its surrounding are under construction. The government plans to develop the temple as a major tourist attraction of the place.

Legend

Years after Kurukshetra war, a fight broke out between the Yadavas, who annihilated each other and their entire race. Lord Krishna retired into the forest and started meditating under a tree. A hunter Jara, mistook Krishna's partly visible left foot for that of a deer, and shot an arrow, wounding him. While still bleeding, Krishna told Jara, that he was Bali in his previous birth, killed by Rama in Tretayuga. Then Krishna, left his mortal body to return to the heavenly abode. The place of this incident is believed to be Bhalka, where a shrine was built to honour the moment of his departure from the earth.

Architecture

The idols in the temple here depict the final moment of Lord krishna.The Lord is in half reclining posture with and arrow pierced into his sole and "Jara" the poacher sits weeping both hands folded asking to forgive him. Near the idol is a sacred peepal tree. As of 2016, the temple is under construction and renovation works are in progress.

Picture Courtesy: commons.wikimedia.org

Darsan Info

Temple timings - 6.00 AM to 9.00 PM.

Darsan Dresscode

Devotees are advised to wear clean and conservative attire.

Famous Festival

August - Janmashtami

Culture

Gir Somnath includes the Gir Sanctuary which is a home of many wildlife creatures including lions, deer, and monkeys. Asiatic Lions can be only be found in the Gir Forest. The place is also famous for the Somnath temple, which is considered first of the 12 jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva.