Spiritual PlaceHindu temple

Ahalya Sthan

Temple at Kamtaul in Darbhanga on the site of Gautama's hermitage, where Rama is said to have freed Ahalya

Photo: 10july2010 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

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01 — The story

Ahalya Sthan is a Hindu temple in Kamtaul, Darbhanga district, dedicated to Ahalya and built where the hermitage of the sage Gautama is said to have stood. In the Ramayana, Rama and Lakshmana, travelling with Vishvamitra, came upon the deserted ashram, and Vishvamitra told them its story: Indra, disguised as Gautama, had deceived Ahalya, and the sage cursed her to lie here as a stone until Rama arrived. When Rama entered, she rose in her own form, and the two princes paid their respects to her.

The present temple was built between 1662 and 1682, under Maharaja Chhatra Singh and Maharaja Rudra Singh. It is also described as the first Ram Janaki temple in India.

Unmapia

02 — About

Coming soon

We’re still writing about Ahalya Sthan: its history, what’s there and why it’s worth the trip.