Kapal Mochan: Difference between revisions

Kapal Mochan or Gopal Mochan is an ancient place of pilgrimage for both Hindus and Sikhs. It is about 17 km north-east of Jagadhari town, on the Bilaspur-Ranjitpura road in Ambala disrict. Covered by the dense forests of Kalesar, Kapal Mochan is a natural hollow, near the bank of the Saraswati river. Kapal Mochan or Gopal Mochan is an ancient place of pilgrimage for both Hindus and Sikhs. Covered by the dense forests of Kalesar, Kapal Mochan is a natural hollow, near the bank of the Saraswati river, dammed up to form a Kund (pool or tank).

Also called 'Rinmochan', the pool is known as the 'destroyer of all sins'. It is mentioned numerous times in the Hindu classics the Mahabharata and the Puranas. Kapal Mochan has been described as famous in all the three mythological worlds. More than 7 Lakhs of Sikhs visit the historic Gurdwara Kapal Mochan every year on Kartik Purnima (in November) for a dip in the holy sarovars of the village. Devotees believe that by taking a dip in the sacred tank one rids themselves of all sins.

• This is believed to be the spot that Lord Shiva washed away his sin of having killed a Brahman.
• Rama too is came here to wash away his sin of having killed Ravanna.
• The Panj Pandava brothers are also said to have come here to wash their weapons and bathed to wash away their sins for having killed their cousins at Kurukshetra.

The First and the Tenth

• Guru Nanak Dev
• Guru Gobind Singh

Gurdwara Kapal Mochan

Gurudwara Kapal Mochan is located at the site where it is believed Guru Nanak Dev stopped during one of his udasis in 1584. At the time Guru Nanak is said to have spoke to a large gathering disputing the ritual of Sootak (the concept that a newborn baby is born impure). A mela (see above) is held here annualy to celebrate that visit.

Guru Gobind Singh stopped here to clean his shastars (weapons) in the pond's waters after his victory in the Battle of Bhangani in 1686. Before returning to Paonta Sahib, it is said that the Sat Kalgidhar Guru stayed here to worship for 52 days. During that stay his soldiers had also, cleaned their weapons in the kund and used their time not spent in worship, to hone their martial skills for future challenges.

Here the great Guru distributed awards and Saropas to his brave soldiers who had distinguished themselves in the battle with the Hill Rajas. He also exhorted his followers to maintain the sanctity of the sacred place. He gave an inscribed copper plate, with his signature, as a memento to the Chief priest of Kapal Mochan. Now a Gurudwara stands near this tank in his memory.

Nearby

Guru Gobind Singh Martial Art Museum is located nearby at village Aharwala / Kapal Mochan.

Getting to Kapal Mochan

It is connected by road with Ambala, Karnal and Delhi. Nearest railway station is Yamunanagar, at a distance of 20 km.