Arjundhara

Map of Jhapa. Arjundhara lies in Arjundhara VDC which is now Shani-Arjun Municipality,

Arjundhara is the name of a temple that is situated in south-eastern part of Nepal. It is situated in Jhapa district, Mechi zone in Nepal. It is 45 minutes on flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur and 30 minutes car ride from Bhadrapur to Arjundhara. It is 6 km north from the business centre Birtamode, Previously it used to be in Arjundhara VDC waard no. 04. and now it lies in Shani-Arjun Municipality ward no. 02. Shanischare VDC and Arjundhara VDC were merged to form Shani-Arjun Municipality in May 2014.^[1][2] As Nepal is recently divided into provinces this place lies in the Province no.01.

History

Arjundhara Temple

Arjun is a name of lord who is worshipped in hinduism and is considered the greatest talent in the bow and the arrow art, and 'Dhara' means a source of water basically a tap. Arjundhara has got its history from the Mahabharat times. It is believed that after the pandavs completed their 12 years stay at the woods they had to live 2 years hiding their identity before returning to their state. Pandavs were staying in the King Birat's palace, hiding their identity. But the Kauravs might have found out that pandavs were living their so they stole all the cows that belonged to king Birat so as to compel the pandavs to reveal their identity. The pandavs along with some others from the palace set out in search of the cows which they found in the place which is now called 'Garuwa', which actually means something ralated to losing of the cows, When the pandavs were returning the cows from the garuwa, the cows felt thirsty. Arjun immediately pulled out his arrow named "Pagnakhestra" and hit it to the ground from where water brusted out from the cows to still their thirst.

Later, maybe around a century back a nun named 'Khadebaba' discovered this place as the one that has the history with the mahabharat. And then the temple was built and named 'Arjundhara jaleshwor dham'.

Locally this place is also referred as the Pashupatinath of the east. There is also a gurukul for the Brahmans to read. And also a cow farm. There are also the statues of different gods such as Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman as it is believed that Lord Shiva changed into Lord Hanuman to help Lord Ram to find Lordess Sita.

References

1. 72 new municipalities announced Archived June 18, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. My Republica
2. Govt announces 72 new municipalities The Kathmandu Post