Shukartaal Ganges Holy Bath

From Delhi, this important holy place is about two third of the way between Delhi and Haridwar. This small town sits on the banks of a branch of the holy Ganges River. This is a special place where Shukdeva Goswami spoke the Srimad Bhagavatam to Maharaja Parikshit 5000 years ago.

It is about an hour east of the city of Muzaffarnagar. It is around 150 km from Delhi on the way to Haridwar.

Shukratirtha– First the Bhagavata Peeth Shukdev Ashrama. This is built around the 5100-year-old Akshay Vriksha tree which sits on top of the hill where 80,000 sages of all ranks gathered hear Shukdev Goswami speak the Bhagavatam to Maharaja Pariksit 5000 years ago. It was under the branches of this tree where Shukdev Goswami and King Pariksit sat. The uniqueness of this tree as its name suggests is that it does not shed leaves. The tree is quite large, towering up to 150 feet, with branches spreading in all directions, even coming out of the sides of the hill just below the tree. One branch has a nub coming out of it is in the shape similar to Lord Ganesh. The ashrama includes a number of shrines and deities within its complex, including one close to the tree that has the images of Shukdev Goswami sitting and speaking to King Pariksit.

To the east of the town is Ganga, which is a quiet and peaceful river here, compared to the swift and powerful river at Haridwar and Rishikesh. Many pilgrims take a holy bath here. However, this is a branch of the Ganga that flows next to the village, while the main branch of the Ganga is 3 to 4 kilometres away. It is in this area where King Pariksit gave up his body.m.

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