>Cewbot: Fix broken anchor: 2021-05-14 #Nagara architecture→Hindu temple architecture#Nagara (नागर) architecture

2021-09-12T17:52:11Z

Fix broken anchor: 2021-05-14 #Nagara architecture→Hindu temple architecture#Nagara (नागर) architecture

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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
|name = Ekalavya Temple
|image =
| image_upright =
|caption =
|map_type = India Haryana
|coordinates = {{coord|28.422|N|76.99|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|coordinates_footnotes=
|map_caption =


|country = [[India]]
|state = [[Haryana]]
|district = [[Gurugram]]
|locale = [[Khandsa]], Sector 37, [[Gurugram]]
| deity = [[Ekalavya]]
|established = 1721
|creator =
|temple_board =
|governing_body = Gurugram Sanskritik Gourav Samiti
|website =
|architecture_type=[[Hindu temple architecture#Nagara (नागर) architecture|Hindu Nagara]]}}
{{Hinduism}}

The '''Ekalavya temple''' ({{lang-hi|एकलव्य मंदिर}}) is the only [[Hindu temple]] in the world dedicated to [[Ekalavya]] of the [[Mahabharata]]. It is located in the [[Khandsa]] village of [[Gurgaon|Gurugram]], [[Haryana]], [[India]]. It is built atop the spot where [[Ekalavya]] cut his thumb and offered it to [[Drona|Guru Drona]] as [[Dakshina|Guru Dakshina]]. His thumb was buried in this location and a temple was built on top of it to honor this great hero.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Locals want tourist circuit developed for the Guru|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/gurgaon/locals-want-tourist-circuit-developed-for-the-guru/story-AQpvmWTxDPWz8sTaP8Od7K.html|date=2016-04-15|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2020-05-14}}</ref>

== History and Significance ==
According to the [[Mahabharata]], the [[Pandava]]s and [[Kaurava]]s used to train under [[Drona|Guru Dronacharya]]. Drona had promised [[Arjuna]] that he would make him the greatest archer of his time. However, one day, [[Arjuna]] discovered a boy named [[Ekalavya]] who was even better than him. He told [[Drona]] about [[Ekalavya]]. Remembering his promise, [[Drona]] reluctantly asked [[Ekalavya]] to cut off his right thumb (an essential body part for archery) as Gurudakshina (gift to the Guru). [[Ekalavya]] obeyed and cut off his right thumb. It is said that [[Ekalavya]]'s thumb was buried in that location.

To honor [[Ekalavya]]'s sacrifice, in 1721, an affluent villager built a small Ekalavya temple on that spot. It is now maintained by the Gurugram Sanskritik Gourav Samiti. Today, only the local villagers visit the temple. It is not very popular among tourists and foreigners. The temple is also highly revered by the Bhil people, who visit it in large numbers from [[Rajasthan]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], and other parts of India.

The temple is located near other important sites related to the [[Mahabharata]] in Gurugram, such as the [[Gurugram Bhim Kund|Gurugram Bhima Kund]] (where [[Drona]] bathed), a temple dedicated to [[Drona]]charya, and a temple of [[Shiva|Lord Shiva]] that was built by the [[Pandava]]s.

== Structure ==
The temple has only one room which can fit a couple people at a time. Along with that, there is also a two-room [[Ekalavya]] [[Dharamshala]] ({{lang-hi|एकलव्य धर्मशाला}}) built by the village [[Panchayati raj|Panchayat]] to accommodate any pilgrims that visit the temple.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Will renaming Gurgaon change the fate of legendary temples?|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/features/archive/will-renaming-gurgaon-change-the-fate-of-legendary-temples-222441|last=Service|first=Tribune News|website=Tribuneindia News Service|language=en|access-date=2020-05-14}}</ref>

== Recent Attempts for Tourism ==
The villagers and members of the Gurugram Sanskritik Gourav Samiti were very happy when Gurgaon was renamed to [[Gurgaon|Gurugram]]. They expected that more tourists would come to the location. They have initiated a special puja on January 14 every year. The puja will be performed by the [[Nishadas|Nishada]] caste, to which [[Ekalavya]] belonged. Along with that, they want to expand the temple and the temple premises.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Eklavya Temple In Gurgaon: An almost forgotten temple now hopes for a turnaround|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/eklavya-temple-in-gurgaon-an-almost-forgotten-temple-now-hopes-for-a-turnaround-4639771/|date=2017-05-04|website=The Indian Express|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-14}}</ref> The villagers have also demanded that a local tourism circuit be developed with encompasses the Ekalavya temple, [[Dronacharya Temple, Gurugram|the Dronacharya temple]], and other sites.

== External links ==
* ''[http://wikimapia.org/17741757/eklavya-s-one-only-temple-in-the-world Map of only temple of Eklavya in the world]''

== References ==
{{Reflist|20em}}
{{Haryana}}
{{Hindu temples in Haryana}}
{{Gurgaon district topics}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Haryana]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Haryana]]

Ekalavya Temple - Revision history

>Cewbot: Fix broken anchor: 2021-05-14 #Nagara architecture→Hindu temple architecture#Nagara (नागर) architecture