Kauleshwari hills also known as Kolhua and Kolahal takes us back to the era of Mahabharata and Ramayana. Located at a height of 1575 ft, Kauleshwari hill is a historical as well as an important pilgrimage site for the Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists. Let's know more about this sacred hill.
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Location of Kauleshwari Hill
Kauleshwari hill located in Shaligram Ramnarayanpur, earlier known as Hunterganj, a historic town in the district of Chatra came into limelight recently.
The hill lies in the borders of Bihar and Jharkhand, at a distance of 10 KM from the town of Chatra and 140 KM from the state capital Ranchi.
Kauleshwari Hill As A Historical Site
The place is linked with both the epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. It is believed that the Pandavas spent a few days of their Agyatvas here. Also, if history has to believe then even Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Lord Laxmana spent a few days of their Vanvas in this hill.
Kauleshwari Hill As A Pilgrimage Site
Kauleshwar hill has great importance among the Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist communities. The place is visited by thousands of devotees from all three communities throughout the year.
Kauleshwari Temple
Kauleshwari temple located at the hilltop is dedicated to Goddess, Kauleshwari, an incarnation of Goddess Sati. The place is considered as a Siddha Peeth as well as a Shakti Peeth and is believed that a part of the womb of Goddess Sati fell here when Lord Vishnu used the Sudarshana Chakra, to cut Sati's corpse in order to stop Shiva's destruction.
There are 51 or 108 Shakti Peethas according to various beliefs and only 4 or 18 are considered as Maha Shakti Peeths. This place is believed to be one of the 108 Shakti Peethas.
It is still a mystery as to who established the temple on top of the hill but some consider that King Virat, the king of Matsya Kingdom from the epic Mahabharata, in whose court the Pandavas spent a year in concealment during their exile was the one to start the worship of the goddess on the hill.
23rd Tirthankara
According to the Jain community, the footprint that was found at the hilltop was of Lord Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara. Adjacent to the Kauleshwari temple is a pond, 300 ft in length, 180 ft in breadth, and 30 ft in depth which supposed to have many broken idols of Jain idols which were dropped to hide from the invaders.
In the west to the pond is a cave where under a Varuna tree is a 3 ft tall idol of Lord Parshvnath carved in black stone. The idol is in a sitting posture facing towards the west and has nine serpent hoods over the head. Inside the cave, many broken Jain idols can be found.
The place also had a Jain temple which was established in the year 1682 but was destroyed by the invaders. Now a new temple has been constructed with a 2 ft idol of Lord Parshvnath.
Also, a rock-cut temple with one of its walls carved with the images of ten Digamber Jain idols in sitting posture which on the basis of symbols can be identified as the idols of Bhagavan Rishabh dev, Mahaveer Swami, Ajit Nathji, Sambhav Nathji, Abhinandanji, Sumati Nathji, Padm Prabhuji, Suparshv Nathji, Chandra Prabhuji, and Pushp-Dantji.
The other wall is also carved with ten Digamber Jain idols, five in standing, and five in a sitting posture. The standing idols are believed to be of Teerthankars, Bhagavan Vasupoojyaji, Mallinathji, Neminathji, Parshv Nathji, and Mahaveerji and the sitting idols are guessed to be of Bhagavan Sheetal Nathji, Shreyans Nathji, Vasupoojyaji, Vimal Nathji, and Anant Nathji. The place is also considered as the birthplace of the 10th Tirthankara, Sitala Swami.
Taposthali of Buddha
Lord Buddha before he proceeded to Sarnath to preach his teachings were believed to have spent some time here and also had tonsure his head in this very place. Therefore, the Buddhist followers to date visit the hill to shave their heads.
Things To Do In Kauleshwari Hill
Apart from being a religious and historical site, Kauleshwari Hill is known for its scenic beauty. Here are the few things to do in Kauleshwari Hill.
Visit The Religious Sites
Visit all the three religious sites and explore the caves, the rock-cut architecture of the temples, and the beautiful wall carvings. The place has a lot of history which speaks a volume about the phenomenal culture of the state.
Get A Panoramic View From The Hill Top
At 1575 ft, the hilltop, known as 'Akash Lochan' provides some spectacular panoramic view of the lush green landscape and the picturesque surrounding. It is at this place the footprint of Lord Parshvnath is found.
Spent Time At The Bank Of Lilangen River
The Lilangen river flows through the region and one has to cross it to reach the hill. It is the best place to spend some time here and cherish the beautiful surrounding.
Also Read,
5 Reasons Why Jharkhand Should Be Your Next Holiday Destination
Trekking
One can trek up to the hill through the uneven and steep paths after crossing the Lilangen river. The place is an amazing place for excursion and call tourists to experience the best of what nature has to offer.
Enjoy At The Kolhua Mela
Kolhua mela is a very ancient fair that takes place twice a year during Vasanth Panchami and Ram Navami at the hilltop near the Kauleshwari temple. Thousands of pilgrimage from the Hindu, Jain, and the Buddhist community take part in this religious fair. Even tourists from different countries come to be a part of this affair.
Nearest Town To Kauleshwari Hill
The nearest town is Chatra located at a distance of 17 KM from the sacred Kauleshwari hill.
Nearest Railway Station To Kauleshwari Hill
The nearest railway station is Chatra (Station Code: CTR). The station is a small railway halt and is located on the Sahibganj Loop. It is not well connected with major cities.
The nearest railway station that is connected well with all the cities is Hazaribagh Town Railway Station (Station Code: HZBN) located at a distance of 47 KM.
Nearest Airport To Kauleshwari Hill
The nearest airport to Kauleshwari hill is Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi located at a distance of 144 KM.
The nearest International airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra International Airport, Kolkata located at a distance of 445 KM.
How To Reach Kauleshwari Hill
By Train
Board a train to Hazaribagh Town Railway Station (Station Code: HZBN) and after reaching book a cab. First, reach the town of Chatra and then proceed with your journey towards Kauleshwari Hill.
The distance of Kauleshwari hill from Hazaribagh railway station
- 47.2 km via Hazaribagh - Katkamsandi Rd and Katkamsandi - Kullu Rd
By Air
Book a flight to Birsa Munda Airport Ranchi or Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata. Here is how to reach Kauleshwari temple from Ranchi and Kolkata.
Via Ranchi
After reaching Ranchi, you can take a train to Hazaribagh (Station Code: HZBN) or book a cab to Chatra. If you taking a train to Hazaribagh then after reaching book a cab to Chatra. After reaching Chatra proceed with your journey towards Kauleshwari temple.
The distance of Kauleshwari Temple from Birsa Munda Airport
- 144.4 km via NH20
- 134.4 km via Simariya Tandwa Rd
- 149.0 km via Hazaribagh - Katkamsandi Rd
Via Kolkata
International travelers landing at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, can book another flight to Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi, and then take a cab to Chatra. After reaching Chatra you can proceed with your journey towards Kauleshwari temple.
For those who are willing to take a train ride can board one after reaching Kolkata from Howrah Junction (Station Code: HWH) to Hazaribagh Town Railway Station (Station Code: HZBN). After reaching Hazaribagh can book a cab to Chatra and after reaching Chatra can proceed with your journey towards Kauleshwari temple.
The distance of Kauleshwari temple from Kolkata
- 446.6 km via NH19
- 478.9 km via NH320
By Road
Chatra is well connected with roads. Some of the routes to consider are
- Chatra - Hunterganj - Dobhi
- Chatra - Itkhori - Chauparan
- Chatra - Bagra - Balumath - Chandwa - Kudu - Ranchi
- Chatra - Simaria -Hazaribagh
- Chatra - Tandwa -Piparwar
- Chatra - Itkhori - Hazaribagh
Where To Stay While Visiting Kauleshwari Temple
The best place to stay while visiting Kauleshwari temple is in the town of Chatra or Hazaribagh. Both towns have budget hotels, lodges, and restaurants.