ARDHNARI TEMPLE-MANDI

MAHUN NAG

The temple of Mahun Nag at Bakhari, on Kardog-Simla road perpetuates the snake cult mentioned elsewhere. According to legend Mahun Nag is the incarnation of Raja Karan, of Mahabharata, fame. An image was discovered -by a farmer, while ploughing his fields in village, Shandal. The image was brought to Bakhari the present location and there was a lightning and a tree caught fire. It is, however, not known who built the temple.

The legend further asserts that once Raja Shyama Sen of Suket, was imprisoned by the Moghul King at Delhi and kept in a big drum. The deity (Mahun Nag), in the form of honey-bee locally called 'Mahun' appeared and requested the Raja, to give it a place to stay, in his cell of the prison. The Raja promised to give the deity half. of his State, provided he was set at liberty by the. Moghul King.

The Mahun Nag assumed the form of a man and became the chess partner of the Moghul King and won the drum containing Raja Shyama Sen of Suket as a trophy. However, on return the deity refused to take half of Suket State and instead selected a secluded area at Bhakhari. The temple is resorted to by a large number of devotees.

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