Verified Site TraditionEditorial Framework #20 of 51

Kurukshetra (Bhadrakali)

कुरुक्षेत्र (भद्रकाली) · Shree Devi Bhadrakali Mandir (Historical Sthaneshwar / Thanesar) (Haryana, India)

Editorial & Scholarly Protocol: AnantaMarg uses a 51-site Pithanirnaya-based framework for this catalogue. Other Shakta traditions preserve different enumerations and identifications.

Spiritual Significance

Enshrining the right ankle bone (Gulpha) of Sati in Thanesar. Devotees offer metal or terracotta horses in fulfillment of vows, commemorating the Pandavas' pre-battle worship of Mother Bhadrakali.

Sacred Triad & Field-Level Provenance

Pithanirnaya Recension

Shakti (Devi)Primary

Savitri (Bhadrakali)

सावित्री (भद्रकाली)

Basis: Pithanirnaya, v. 20

Sources: pithanirnaya

BhairavaPrimary

Sthanu

स्थाणु

Basis: Pithanirnaya, v. 20

Sources: pithanirnaya

Relic / Body PartPrimary

Ankle Bone (Gulpha / Dakshina Gulpha)

दायां टखना (गुल्फ)

Basis: Pithanirnaya, v. 20

Sources: pithanirnaya

Modern Location & Geographic Coordinates

29.9796° N, 76.8285° E

Identified Site

Shree Devi Bhadrakali Mandir (Historical Sthaneshwar / Thanesar)

Near Sthaneshwar Mahadev, Thanesar

State/Province & Country

Kurukshetra, Haryana (India)

Access Guidance: Located 3 km from Kurukshetra Junction railway station and 6 km from Delhi-Amritsar NH-44. Sthaneshwar Mahadev temple is within 500 meters.

Historical & Epigraphic Attestations

Mahabharata, Vana Parva (Tirtha Yatra)Classical Mahabharata Tradition

Records Pandavas worshipping Bhadrakali and offering horses prior to the Kurukshetra War; continuing tradition of offering clay and silver horses to this day.

Harshacharita of Banabhatta7th Century CE

Describes Thanesar (Sthaneshwar) as a thriving center of Pashupata Shaivism and Shakta worship during Emperor Harshavardhana's reign.

Documentary Sources & Provenance Hierarchy

Tier 1 — Scriptural Texts (प्रामाणिक धार्मिक ग्रंथ)

Pithanirnaya (Mahapithanirupana) (Verse 20) [D.C. Sircar (1948)]
Mahabharata (Vana Parva (Tirthayatra Parva))
Harshacharita (Banabhatta) — Historical description of Sthaneshwar

Tier 2 & 3 — Institutional, Archaeological & Scholarly Sources

Shree Devi Bhadrakali Mandir Prabandhak Committee (official temple)
Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) (government tourism)
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI Chandigarh Circle) (archaeological)

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