>KropotkinSchmopotkin at 17:53, 30 September 2021

2021-09-30T17:53:41Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{refimprove|date=February 2016}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Chittaura Jheel
| native_name =
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| other_name = Ashtwarka jheel

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| location = [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]]
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| type = [[lake]]
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| pushpin_map = India
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| pushpin_map_alt = Location of the lake in India.
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'''Chittaura Jheel''', also known as ''Ashtwarka jheel'') is a lake in [[Uttar Pradesh]], India. It is situated about 8 km from [[Bahraich]] city, on [[Gonda, Uttar Pradesh|Gonda]] road, near Jittora or Chittaura village. A small river, Teri Nadi, flows from this lake. Many migratory birds are also found here during August–October (late monsoon period).

Chittaura Jheel is a [[Hindu]] pilgrimage site. According to local legends, Ashtwarka Muni, the Guru of Maharaja Janak used to live here in his ashram.

== Raja Suhaldev Mandir ==

According to local folklore, the area beside the lake is the site of an 11th-century battle between the Hindu king [[Suhaldev]] and the Muslim invader [[Ghazi Saiyyad Salar Masud]].

In April 1950, Hindu organizations planned a [[mela|fair]] at the ''dargah'' of Salar Masud, to commemorate Suhaldev. The local administration banned the fair to prevent Hindu-Muslim violence, which led to protests by Hindus. Ultimately, the administration lifted the prohibitory orders. The local [[Indian National Congress]] representative inaugurated the fair at Chittaura. Shri Suhaldev Smarak Samiti ("Suhaldev Monument Committee") was formed in 1954 to construct a temple of Suhaldev. Raja Birendra Bikram Singh, a [princely estate] ruler of Payagpur donated 500 [bigha]s of land (including the Chittora Lake) to the Samiti

A temple of Suhaldev, with several paintings and sculptures, was constructed on this land.{{sfn|Narayan|2009|pp=95 }} In 2001, Hindu activists formed the Maharaja Suhaldev Sewa Samiti, which has been organizing various programmes to commemorate Suhaldev as a defender of the Hindu faith.{{sfn|Narayan|2009|p=82}}

Today, a temple complex known as Raja Suhaldev Darbar is situated at the site. A statue of Raja Suhaldev along with a temple dedicated to Goddess Durga is present within the premises of this complex. The statue shows Raja Suhaldev sitting on a horse holding a bow and arrow. He is wearing the dress of a maharaja with a crown. Every year, fairs are organized here as per Hindu calendar on [[Kartik Purnima]] and [[Basant Panchami]].

== References ==

{{reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===

* {{cite book |first=Badri |last=Narayan |title=Fascinating Hindutva: Saffron Politics and Dalit Mobilisation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9bmGAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA26 |year=2009 |publisher=SAGE Publications |isbn=978-81-321-0105-5 }}

{{Hydrography of Uttar Pradesh}}

{{coord missing|Uttar Pradesh}}

[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Bahraich]]
[[Category:Lakes of Uttar Pradesh]]

Chittaura Jheel - Revision history

>KropotkinSchmopotkin at 17:53, 30 September 2021