Information of Bhalka Tirth (Mahaprabhuji Bethak), Gir Somnath, Gujarat

Bhalka Tirth Temple is an important centre for Hindu pilgrims. It is situated in the northern side of Somnath city, on the coast of Arabian Sea in Gujarat. This olden town was once invaded by Mahmud of Gazni, who robbed the rich temples comprising Bhalka Tirth Temple and grabbed the resources to his native country. The town was devastated and destroyed multiple times and every time the Hindu people reconstructed it. Travellers and devotees visiting Somnath prefer to go to Bhalka Tirth Temple due to its religious significance. Among many other temples in Somnath twon, Bhalka Tirth Temple has great fame for people. This great temple is dedicated to lord Krishna.

Bhalka Tirth (Mahaprabhuji Bethak) Religious Significance

Bhalka Tirth Temple is also known as Mahaprabhuji's Bethak. It demonstrates various achievements of lord Krishna. It also depicts the evangelisation of popular Hindu epic Gita. In order to remember lord Krishna, a pippal tree has been planted in the temple. Apart from the idol of lord Krishna, the pippal tree is also worshiped by people. Every day various religious activities such as aarti, bhog and prayer are undertaken in this temple.

Adjacent to Bhalka Tirth Temple, there is a small cave named Baldev cave. It is stated that the elder brother of lord Krishna, i.e. lord Baldev vanished in the cave and reached the netherworld, as he was supposed to be the personification of lord Seshnag. According to certain Hindu customs, lord Krishna left his human body at Bhalka Tirth Temple.

Legend says that Bhalka Tirth Temple was created by the lord of Moon from gold. Every year considerable number of devotees visit Bhalka Tirth Temple in order to pursue blessing from lord Krishna. Various popular Hindu festivals are organised and celebrated in this temple. Among them the most popular ones are Janmasthami, Holi and Rath Yatra among others.

Bhalka Tirth (Mahaprabhuji Bethak) Mythology & History

According to Hindu mythology, Bhalka Tirth Temple is the place where lord Krishna was being hit by an arrow. He was meditating under a pippal tree with a skin of deer, when a pilferer named Jara misjudged the foot of lord Krishna as a deer and hit him from distant place. The arrow went straight and pierced through his skin. However, lord Krishna forgave the pilferer. In admiration to the god Krishna and that particular place, Bhalka Tirth Temple was created. A pippal tree is also planted in order to highlight the spot where lord Krishna was hit. It is believed that Lord Krishna was wouned by that shot and then moved to the sacred banks of river Hiran from where he took his final journey at the holy convergence of three great rivers namely Hiran, Saraswati and Kapila. Furthermore, it is also believed that lord Krishna was incinerated at Dehotsarga at Triveni Ghat.

Bhalka Tirth (Mahaprabhuji Bethak) Architectural Significance

Bhalka Tirth Temple is small but quite popular and condensed temple. It is still under construction and it is stated that the central government of India is searching for the improvement of the temple, particularly the spot where lord Krishna was being hit. Bhalka Tirth Temple houses an idol of lord Krishna which shows playing his favourite instrument, flute and is engraved with blue marble. Close to Bhalka Tirth Temple, there is also a shrine of goddess Hinglaj. Hindu pilgrims can sense the spirituality and peace in mind during visiting Bhalka Tirth Temple.

So if you are willing for a spiritual mind, don't miss the opportunity to visit this holy temple Bhalka Tirth Temple, while in Gujarat.