Gagan Ji Ka Tilla

Gagan Ji Ka Tilla
Gagan Ji Ka Tilla
	Gagan Ji Ka Tilla - Temple
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
District	Hoshiarpur
Deity	Lord Shiva
Festivals	Mahasivaratri - February/March
Location
Location	Sahora
State	Punjab
Country	India
	Location in Punjab
Geographic coordinates	31°55′35″N 75°44′25″E / 31.92639°N 75.74028°E

Gagan Ji Ka Tilla, located in the village of Sahora in the Sivalik Hills of Hoshiarpur, Punjab,^[1]^{[unreliable source?]} is home to the Gagan Ji Ka Tilla Shiva Temple. This sacred site is a spiritual destination, attracting millions of devotees each year who come to offer their prayers and seek blessings from Lord Shiva. Known for its spirituality and sophisticated atmosphere, the temple occupies a unique place in the religious landscape of Punjab.^[2]

History

Gaganji Ka Tilla Shiva Temple has many legends. The most popular temples have their origins linked to the Mahabharata. According to local legend The Pandavas took refuge in Viratnagri, an ancient kingdom near the site of the temple, which is now called Dasuya. During their 13 years of exile, in the hidden years known as Agyatvas. Before going into exile, Lord Krishna had asked the Pandavas to go to a deserted dense forest and worship Shiva Shankar. Then the Pandavas came with Draupadi in this dense forest and worshiped Lord Shiva. Pleased with the worship, Lord Shiva Shankar appeared in the form of Shiva linga which is still located in the temple.^[3]

This legend claims that during the exile, the Pandava used to come to this forest every full moon day and worship the Shiva linga. Gradually, this word reached the people in the surrounding villages, so people also started coming to see. Now an attractive temple has been built at the place of Shiva linga by cutting the hills of the forest and a committee has been formed for the maintenance of the temple. Thousands of pilgrims visit this temple every day during the month of Sawan. Anchorage is anchored here every day during the month of Sawan.^[4]