Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal

Valmiki Ashram
ਭਗਵਾਨ ਵਾਲਮੀਕੀ ਤੀਰਥ ਅਸਥਾਨ Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Asthan भगवान वाल्मीकि तीर्थ स्थल
Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Asthan/Ram Tirath Mandir
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
District	Amritsar
Deity	Valmiki
Governing body	Government of Punjab, India
Location
Location	Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Road, Amritsar, Punjab, India
State	Punjab
Architecture
Style	Hindu
Completed	1 December 2016

31.676983°N 74.754937°E / 31.676983; 74.754937

Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Asthan is temple panorama complex and an important historical monument of Valmikis located at Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath road of Amritsar city.^[1][2] Since 1 December 2016, it has an 8-foot-tall^[3] 800-kg gold-plated idol of Sage Valmiki in main section.^[4][5]

Mythology

Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Asthan, dedicated to Valmiki, is situated 11 km west of Amritsar on Amritsar Lopoke road. As per regional tradition, the Hindu temple dates back to the period of the events of the epic Ramayana, identified as the location of the ashram of the sage. According to legend, this is the site where the sage gave shelter to Sita, wife of Rama, after the deity decided that she not return to Ayodhya. The place is also considered to be the birthplace of Lava and Kusha, the twin sons of Rama.^[6]

Management

Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Asthan is managed and maintained by Valmiki Tirath Development Board.^[7][8] There was dispute regarding the management of site between Mahant Baldev Giri and Mahant Malkeet Nath of the Bhagwan Valmiki Dhuna Sahib Management Trust. In 2013, Punjab Police was deployed at the site, due to tension between Mahants and Valmikis.^[9] On 9 September 2014, Punjab government failed to restore the possession of Dhuna Sahib and two other sites at the ancient shrine to mahant Baldev Giri on court orders.^[10][11] On 11 September 2014, Police with the help of Border Security Force broker a compromise between the two parties.^[12][13][14]

Development

Foundation stone of Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Asthan was laid on 18 October 2016 and this project was designed by Department of Architecture of Guru Nanak Dev University.^[15] It was inaugurated on 1 December 2016 by the Chief Minister of Punjab.^[16][17] The historic site was renovated with ₹200 crore (US$23 million) and has entrance portals at both ends, a sacred pond, circumambulation with a bridge, a devotee hall with capacity of 5000, a Sanskrit library, a museum and a multi-storey modern car parking with a capacity of 500 four-wheeler vehicles.^[18][19]

Gallery

• 
  Lord Valmiki temple cum panorama complex
• 
  8 feet tall gold plated idol of Lord Valmiki
• 
  a view of Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal
• 
  Sacred pond at Temple
• 
  Chandelier inside main area of Temple
• 
  Hallway surrounding the Temple
• 
  a view of Temple tank
• 
  Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, temple
• 
  Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, temple
• 
  Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, temple
• 
  Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, temple
• 
  Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, temple
• 
  Inner view of Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, temple
• 
  Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, temple-sacred Pond view
• 
  Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, temple -sacred Pond view
• 
  Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, temple
• 
  Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, temple
• 
  Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, temple
• 
  Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, temple, Statue of Valmiki imparting training to Lov Kush
• 
  Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, temple, painting of Valmiki imparting education to lov Kush, Sita mother is also visible in painting

See also

• Hinduism
• Lord Valmiki
• Tourism in Amritsar^[20]

References

1. "Panorama and museum important to us: Valmiki community". The Indian Express. 21 November 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
2. "Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal - Government of Punjab, India". punjab.gov.in. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
3. "For Dalits, Punjab rolls out a pre-poll Valmiki idol darshan". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
4. "Punjab Govt declares holiday on Dec 1". uni india. 30 July 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
5. "Grand plans for Dalits in Punjab". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
6. Hinduism, Dr. S.S. Kapoor, Hemkunt Press, 2005
7. "Badal approves panel for development of Sri Valmiki Ashram at Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath". Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
8. Pioneer, The. "Valmiki Tirath Sthal to be dedicated on Dec 1". The Pioneer. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
9. "Tension at Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath: Police posted to guard foundation stone of Rs. 115 crore Bhagwan Valmiki Temple". Archived from the original on 30 October 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
10. "Court order to secure Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath not carried out". hindustan times. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
11. "Amritsar admn fails to resolve shrine issue". www.tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
12. "Cops broker compromise in Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath land row". The Indian Express. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
13. "Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath issue: Govt resolves dispute amicably". hindustan times. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
14. "Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Temple dispute resolved". www.tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
15. "CM lays stone for Valmiki Temple at Amritsar". www.tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
16. "Badals inaugurate Valmiki temple in Amritsar". The Indian Express. 2 December 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
17. "Eyes on SC votes, CM opens Valmiki temple". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
18. "Rs 200-crore renovation project over, Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath shrine to open on December 1st". hindustan times. 27 November 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
19. "VALMIKI TEMPLE, AMRITSAR, PUNJAB". worldarchitecture.org. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
20. Pioneer, The. "Punjab to transform 30 places as tourist attraction centers". The Pioneer. Retrieved 30 July 2018.