Aalha Dev Mandir of Maihar

Aalha Dev Mandir is the second most famous tourist place in Maihar after the Maa Sharda Devi temple. Any tourist or devotee of Maa Sharda, who comes the first time to visit the Maa Sharda Mandir also visit the Aalha Dev temple. Aalha Dev Mandir is about 2 km far from the Maa Sharda Devi temple. We can see Aalha Dev Mandir easily from the Shri Sharda Devi temple.

Akhand Jyoti in the Aalha Dev Mandir Maihar

In the Aalha Dev Mandir, there is a big Khadau (wooden slipper) of Aalha and his great sword kept safely. After seeing the Sandals of Aalha in Aalha and in Aalha Udal Akhada you can imagine the huge size of Aalha and Udal body. You can see the statue of Aalha on the Aalha Dev temple. Inside the temple also a big Shivling established. On the temple ground floor, there is an Akhand Jyoti is burning.

Who is Aalha?

Aalha and Udal were brothers and the reputed members of the 12th Century Chandel king Paramaldev's court. Both were kids of commander Deshraj. His mother's name was Deval. His father was dead in the war. Then King Paramaldev took care of both brothers. Being young, both of these brothers became famous all over the world for bravery.

The adventures of these brothers have brightened the name of Mahoba. Both won many wars for their king. The war of these two brothers came from Prithviraj Chauhan, the then ruler of Delhi. Prithviraj Chauhan had to lose in the war. The stories of Aalha and Udal very famous in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh and sung by the local singers in the form of folk songs.

Maa Sharda Devi and Alha

Aalha was very devotional and religious also. He was a very devotee of Maa Sharda Devi. It is a legend that Aalha discovered this Maa Shardaa temple in the forests of the Triukuta Mountains and then did 12 years of very hard Tapasya for Maa Sharda. Maa Sharda gets very happy with Aalha Tapasya and blessed Aalha for immortality. Aalha used to call Goddess Saraswati as Sharda Mai that's why the temple was later famous as Sharda Mai Mandir. As per the belief of peoples, even today Aalha comes to worship the goddess of Goddess Aalha.

Aalha Talab and Alha Akhada

Alha Talab with full of Lotus Flowers

There is a big pond at the backside of the Aalha Dev temple known as Aalha Talab. It is said that, every day Aalha came here in the night and take bath in this pond and used this pond flowers in the worship of Maa Sharda Devi. At the half km from the Aalha Dev temple, there is an Aalha Udal Akhada where both brothers practices wrestling. Aalha Udal Akhada is very spacious.

Aalha Udal Akhada in Maihar

Timing of Aalha Dev Mandir

Aalha Deo temple opens in the morning at 05:00 am and closed in the evening at 07:00 pm. So you can easily visit anytime as per your convenience at the temple.

Best Time to Visit Aalha Dev Mandir

As I already mentioned in my post - Maa Sharda Devi Temple Maihar, devotees come here at the Hindu religious festivals, especially during Navratri. So the best time will be from October to March.

Facilities at Aalha Dev Mandir

Parking space is there to park your's two or four-wheeled vehicles.
Drinking water is available.
Prasad shop is available.

How to Reach Aalha Dev Mandir

No one comes for especially for Aalha Dev Mandir visiting. Everyone comes for Darsan of Maa Sharda Devi then he comes for the Aalha Dev Mandir and Aalha Akhada and Talab. You can read in my post the different ways to reach up to Maa Sharda temple Maihar. How to reach Maa Sharda Devi temple Maihar.

After reaching Maa Sharda Devi Mandir, reaching Aalha Dev Mandir is not a big task. For the Aalha Dev Temple and Aalha Akhada, there is no direct bus or Auto or Vikram facility. You have to book an Auto they will charge 100 to 150 rupees from you and you can visit these places easily. Aalha Dev Temple is only 2 km from the Maa Sharda Devi Temple in Maihar. So you can go on foot also If you want you will be reached only in 20 minutes.

TouristBug’s Recommendations

As per my recommendation when you will come the first time to visit the Shri Sharda Devi temple, you can also visit this great devotee of Maa Sharda temple.
Lotus flowers plucking from the Aalha Talab is not allowed.
Bathing in Aalha Talab also restricted.
Any type of dirtiness not allowed in or in the area of Aalha Talab.
Camera and photography are not restricted so you can enjoy photography.