Harni Mahadev in Bhilwara is a renowned pilgrim center situated 6 km from Bhilwara in Rajasthan. This hilly region is prominent for a water fall and Chamunda Mata temple. The place commands a panoramic view of the entire city from the top. During Mahashivratri and Shravan devotees gather here and perform various religious rites.
Beneath the green mountains, near the water fall under a large stone there is a ‘Shivling’. A three day fair is held to mark the occasion. A large crowd gathers in this place to offer their prayers. In the month of Shravan devotees accumulate & perform various religious rites. Municipal Corporation of Bhilwara with the help of local people is introducing new facilities to help the devotees. At the top of a hill there is located a temple of ‘Chamunda Mata’ from where a complete view of the city as available. This temple is connected with the road.
The Shivratri fair is held on the Krishna Chaturdashi or the fourteenth day of the declining moon of the month of Phalguna (February-March) and continues for eight or ten days. The Krishna Chaturdashi has its great significance among the Hindus because of Shivratri festival.
Harni Mahadev in Bhilwara features the lingam of the Lord Shiva, as well as a brass Nandi (Shiva’s vehicle, a bull). Lord Shiva is said to represent the trait of the Supreme Being who symbolizes the formation, protection, ending and recreation of the universe.
His vehicle is supposed to be the Bull or the Nandi. The bull is the epitome of both power and ignorance. It is said that Lord Shiva mounts on the bull’s back, bestows power of wisdom upon His devotees and eradicates ignorance. The bull is also called Vrisha in Sanskrit. Vrisha stands for dharma or righteousness. Thus a bull shown next to Shiva implies that He stands by what is right.
Devotees of Lord Shiva worship Shiva Lingam with lot of devotion and it is considered to be very sacred. It is regarded as the foremost sacred symbol for shaivaites and has been worshiped from time immemorial.
Hundreds of devotees throng Bhilwara Harni Mahadev and offer sweets, flowers, coconuts and milks. The pundits perform religious puja on the day of the Shivratri and other regular days. It is believed among the locals that Shivratri day is very auspicious and it is the popular belief that whoever gets the opportunity to pour milk over the lingam gets rid of his wrong doings. During the Mahashivratri day many locals gather the temple complex of Harni Mahadev temple in Bhilwara. Normally women pour milk and pray to Lord Shiva to grant them with good and caring husband as He is to His wife Parvati.
Buses and taxis are obtainable from Bhilwara to Harni Mahadev. Bhilwara Railway Station is the nearest railhead. The temple of Harni Mahadev is one of the most important Religious places in Rajasthan.
