AnkuMalik at 09:15, 3 August 2025

2025-08-03T09:15:06Z

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{{short description|Historical pond}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2023}}
'''Lahartara Pond''' is a historical pond associated with the appearance of Saint [[Kabir]] Saaheb.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Singh |first1=Binay |agency=TNN |title=Lahartara Talab in pathetic condition |work =[[The Times of India]] |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/Lahartara-Talab-in-pathetic-condition/articleshow/17485982.cms |access-date=29 June 2020 |date=5 December 2012 |language=en}}</ref> According to a legend, Saint Kabir Saaheb was found floating on a lotus flower in the pond.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Kabir|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bNc2VfJiQW4C|title=Couplets from Kabīr|date=1991|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ.|isbn=978-81-208-0935-2|language=en}}</ref> It is located in [[Varanasi]], [[Uttar Pradesh]] in [[India]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pin Code: LAHARTARA, VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, India, Pincode.net.in|url=https://pincode.net.in/UTTAR_PRADESH/VARANASI/L/LAHARTARA|access-date=2020-07-16|website=pincode.net.in}}</ref> In the past, it was a large freshwater [[lake]] that spanned {{convert|17|acre|km2|sigfig=1}}.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hess|first=Linda|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ALoUDAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Lahartara+Pond%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA318|title=Bodies of Song: Kabir Oral Traditions and Performative Worlds in North India|date=2015|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-937416-8|language=en}}</ref> In the present day, it no longer has its historical grandeur because about {{convert|3.5|acre|km2}} of the pond is under the directorate of [[archaeology]], Uttar Pradesh, while another {{convert|8|acre|km2|sigfig=1}} are under Satguru Kabir Prakat Dham.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Arya |first=Samrendra Narayan |title=Varanasi Tirtha in Inscriptions|date=1995|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress|volume=56|pages=143|jstor=44158601|issn=2249-1937}}</ref>

== History and legends ==
The history of the Lahartara Pond is connected with the famous poet and mystic Saint Kabir.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-06-16|title=Appearance of Kabir Saheb in Kalyug|url=https://news.jagatgururampalji.org/appearence-kabir-saheb-kalyug/|access-date=2020-08-09|website=S A NEWS|language=en-US}}</ref> It is situated in the [[Varanasi district|Varanasi District]], in Uttar Pradesh, and is a short distance away from Kabir Math. At first, the pond occupied {{convert|17|acre|km2|sigfig=1}}, but nowadays it's been fractionated and placed under the jurisdiction of different institutions. Legend says that infant Kabir was found floating on a [[Nelumbo nucifera|lotus flower]].<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Schomer|first1=Karine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OkKhOivXrhgC|title=The Sants: Studies in a Devotional Tradition of India|last2=McLeod|first2=W. H.|date=1987|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ.|isbn=978-81-208-0277-3|language=en}}</ref>

== Religious and cultural significance ==

The pond has a great significance among the [[Kabir panth|Kabir Panthis]] for its connection with the appearance of Kabir Sahib Ji.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Adgadanand|first=Swami|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jrpXDwAAQBAJ|title=Jeevanadarsh Evam Atmanubhuti: Ideals of Life & Self-Realization|publisher=Shree Paramhans Swami Adgadanandji Ashram Trust|language=en}}</ref> Kabir Sahib Ji was found lying on a lotus flower in this pond in an infant Form, from where Neeru-Neema, the foster parents of Kabir, took Kabir home.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hess|first=Linda|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ALoUDAAAQBAJ|title=Bodies of Song: Kabir Oral Traditions and Performative Worlds in North India|date=2015|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-937416-8|language=en}}</ref>

== Pollution and environmental concerns ==

The fabled pond of Lahartara is situated near the GT Road on the [[Allahabad]] route. Once a sight for sore eyes, today it lies in a more destitute state. About {{convert|2.5|km|mi|order=flip}} from the [[Varanasi cantonment|Varanasi Cantonment]] railway station, spread over {{convert|17|acre|km2|sigfig=1}}, is nothing but a dumping ground for filth and a swamp of wastewater.

Only about {{convert|3.5|acre|km2}} of the pond is protected by the directorate of archaeology, Uttar Pradesh, and about 8 acres is under the possession of Sadguru Kabir Prakatya Dham. The remaining part has been surrounded by rampant encroachment on all sides.

[[Sadguru|Sadguru Kabir Prakatya Dham]] continues to better manage its portion of the pond. They have come up with a plan to construct a grand memorial and a fixed pond within the pond. Chief of Panth Hazoor Ardhnan Saheb, while sharing remarks about the deteriorating condition of the [[National heritage site|Heritage Site]], spoke about the continuing progress being made at the memorial of Saint Kabir and said that the historically significant pond should immediately be restored and a plan should be put into place that ensures that such sites don't get neglected in the future.

In August 2003, the High [[Court]] ordered that improvements should be made to the pond,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=हिंदी खबर, Latest News in Hindi, हिंदी समाचार, ताजा खबर|url=https://m.patrika.com/varanasi-news/commissioner-will-develop-kabeer-birthplace-lhratar-pond-1346873/|access-date=2020-08-25|website=Patrika News|language=hindi|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214442/https://m.patrika.com/varanasi-news/commissioner-will-develop-kabeer-birthplace-lhratar-pond-1346873/|url-status=dead}}</ref> but as of 2020 it was still in bad condition.<ref name=":0" />

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{coord missing|Uttar Pradesh}}

[[Category:Tourist attractions in Varanasi]]
[[Category:Lakes of Uttar Pradesh]]

Lahartara Pond - Revision history

AnkuMalik at 09:15, 3 August 2025