Bindu means a drop. Here drop has a divine reference as it refers to drop of tears of Lord Vishnu. Those drops of tears are being gathered in the pond named as Bindu Sagar or Bindu sarovar. This Bindu Sarovar is situated in Sidhpur of Gujarat. This is one of the Pancha Samovars considered as sacred theerthas in Hindu scripts. The other four are Manasa Sarovar in Tibet, Pushkar Sarovar in Rajasthan, Narayana Sarovar in Gujarat and Pampa Sarovar in Karnataka.
We can visit number of small temples that of Lord Shiva, Sage Kapila Maharshi, Sage Kardhama Prajapathi, Devahuti, Gaya Gadhadhara and others around this lake. Hindus normally go to Gaya in Bihar to offer funeral cake (pinda) to their male ancestors as it is the most sacred ritual that enables the souls of ancestors to reach heaven. Even in Kashi, Rameshwar, Haridwar and many other important pilgrimage centers this ceremony is done by the surviving descendants. The priest would ask to quote names of three or five generation of patriarchal ancestors and not of mothers. It is because that pinda can be offered only to male ancestors as per the scripts. Every rule in law has an exception, so also in this service. This scriptural prescription has an exception in Bindu Sagar. I witnessed many people offering pinda to their female ancestors and priests uttering hymns in Sanskrit around the lake. It is really interesting to note that many big-big people money-wise, power-wise and otherwise come here to perform the ceremony to their female ancestors called ‘Mathru Shraddha’.
This is the only place where I could see people performing Mathru Shraddha to propitiate the departed souls of mothers. Therefore the place is called as ‘Mathru Gaya Kshethra’. Thousands of people gather annually to perform the rituals for their dead mothers. It is believed that Lord Parashurama did perform Mathru Shraddha here for his Mother Renukadevi.
Sidhpur is a historical city in Patan district of Gujarat situated on banks of Saraswathi River. It was Tapobhumi of Sage Kapila Maharshi believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and author of Sankya Shastra. It is known as ”pious place". As stated in Rig Veda this place was called Dashu village. The legendary story says that sage Dadhichi donated his bones to Lord Indra in this spot to make Vajrayudh to kill demon Vritrasura. Pandavas visited this place while they were in exile.
Sidhpur is found in between two rivers namely Ganga and Saraswathi. Under Solanki rulers, it was at a high point of fame and glory. The ruler Siddhraj Jaisingh made this city as his capital. Hence it is called as Sidhpur. He built Lord Shiva temple and other beautiful palaces and a huge tower of 80 metres long. Unfortunately in 12th century Muhammad Ghori destroyed the entire town while on his way to Somnath and destroyed Solanki dynasty. In 15th century during the reign of Akbar it was well developed and flourished.
There are two protected monument in this town under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). They are ‘Ruins of Rudra Mahalay’ temple and ‘Jami Masjid’. The city is known for its architectural beauty largely belonging to Dawoodi Bohra community and spread over 18 mohallas in the neighborhoods’.
There is 4-lane State highway connecting Ahmedabad with Palanpur. The broad gauge railway line connecting Jodhpur Jn and Bangalore as also Mumbai to Delhi pass through Sidhpur. We have number of public and private buses available to reach it. You can use the western express highway to drive fast. No problem for food and accommodation.
We can visit number of small temples that of Lord Shiva, Sage Kapila Maharshi, Sage Kardhama Prajapathi, Devahuti, Gaya Gadhadhara and others around this lake. Hindus normally go to Gaya in Bihar to offer funeral cake (pinda) to their male ancestors as it is the most sacred ritual that enables the souls of ancestors to reach heaven. Even in Kashi, Rameshwar, Haridwar and many other important pilgrimage centers this ceremony is done by the surviving descendants. The priest would ask to quote names of three or five generation of patriarchal ancestors and not of mothers. It is because that pinda can be offered only to male ancestors as per the scripts. Every rule in law has an exception, so also in this service. This scriptural prescription has an exception in Bindu Sagar. I witnessed many people offering pinda to their female ancestors and priests uttering hymns in Sanskrit around the lake. It is really interesting to note that many big-big people money-wise, power-wise and otherwise come here to perform the ceremony to their female ancestors called ‘Mathru Shraddha’.
This is the only place where I could see people performing Mathru Shraddha to propitiate the departed souls of mothers. Therefore the place is called as ‘Mathru Gaya Kshethra’. Thousands of people gather annually to perform the rituals for their dead mothers. It is believed that Lord Parashurama did perform Mathru Shraddha here for his Mother Renukadevi.
Sidhpur is a historical city in Patan district of Gujarat situated on banks of Saraswathi River. It was Tapobhumi of Sage Kapila Maharshi believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and author of Sankya Shastra. It is known as ”pious place". As stated in Rig Veda this place was called Dashu village. The legendary story says that sage Dadhichi donated his bones to Lord Indra in this spot to make Vajrayudh to kill demon Vritrasura. Pandavas visited this place while they were in exile.
Sidhpur is found in between two rivers namely Ganga and Saraswathi. Under Solanki rulers, it was at a high point of fame and glory. The ruler Siddhraj Jaisingh made this city as his capital. Hence it is called as Sidhpur. He built Lord Shiva temple and other beautiful palaces and a huge tower of 80 metres long. Unfortunately in 12th century Muhammad Ghori destroyed the entire town while on his way to Somnath and destroyed Solanki dynasty. In 15th century during the reign of Akbar it was well developed and flourished.
There are two protected monument in this town under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). They are ‘Ruins of Rudra Mahalay’ temple and ‘Jami Masjid’. The city is known for its architectural beauty largely belonging to Dawoodi Bohra community and spread over 18 mohallas in the neighborhoods’.
There is 4-lane State highway connecting Ahmedabad with Palanpur. The broad gauge railway line connecting Jodhpur Jn and Bangalore as also Mumbai to Delhi pass through Sidhpur. We have number of public and private buses available to reach it. You can use the western express highway to drive fast. No problem for food and accommodation.
