Ayodhya Nath Kerni
Confluence of holy rivers is treated sacred according to Puranic literature. It is believed that a holy dip at sangams eradicates the sins committed during life time. Allahabad (Prayag) is not only confluence of Ganga and Yamuna but of Saraswati, a sacred river as well which has since disappeared. The devotees all over the country and abroad throng to have a bath at the Sangam. Heavy rush is noticed during kumbh melas.
According to Neelmat puran, Dharamotra Puran, Ashtadhya and Mahabhashya the rivers flowing through Madra Desh are very holy. These rivers are mentioned as Devika, Iravati Taushi, Chanderbhaga, Vipasha, Bhidya, Udya etc. The region between Ravi and Chenab rivers was known as Poorav Madra. Madras in fact was a Khatriya clan who also participated in Mahabharata battle and on their name the region was called as Madrdesh. Devika originates from Shivgarh mount in the back drop of Sudhmahadev with small streams Mahishwari, Sahasrdhara and Charnavati joining it.. Flowing through Hardwar it joins Tawi at Venisangh. Tawi also known as Tau, Tawishi, Toshi originates from Kalikund. According to Neelmat Pruan and other legends ‘Toshi Toshit Bhaskara’ Tawi is also known as Suryaputri. One more stream known as Bharathari originates from the top of Kolasar hill. They all join together at Venisang.
To its north east side is located the village Sara with few residential houses and fertile fields. The village is located in the vicinity of Venisang. Venisang village is nested smugly at the foot of a hill amidst the incredible beautiful fields. There are only three residential houses and a shop at Venisang but existence of eight conventional water mills are much fascinating. They are arranged in such a sequence that water utilized by one can be passed on to other and so on. The flour ground by watermills is very favorite to local residents. Despite availability of electricity operated Chakki in each village, they prefer to carry grain bags on shoulders and come to flour mill on foot. According to the local residents, the flour of water mills is tasty and easily digestible. Venisang is also connected by road with Chenani. The distance is nine kilometers and some portion of road has not been black topped.
There has been a tremendous change in the status of Venisang during past forty years. There existed a Narsingh temple and a Shiva temple at that time but there has been lot of change and improvement in infrastructure facilities. The construction of road, Sarai, bridge and many temples have changed the position.
In the western portion of Venisang, the temples are situated in the order from left to right. That first in the order comes Shiv-Parvati temple. The temple is old and idols of Shiv-Parvati carved on stone slab are in the temple. The temple is east faced. A shiv lingum is also inside small temple. Two stone carved bulls are also out side the door of temple on a concrete basement. The next is a covered space provided with a Havan Kund. In the sequence comes old temple of Narsingh in which idol of God Narsingh is shown as catching the Hirankashyap on his thighs. The idol is carved on a stone slab with a fine art of carving. Below the idol of Narsingh, shaligrams are arranged in three rows. The puja articles such as bell, water pot , dhoop, flowers, etc. are systematically kept in a copper plate so as to perform puja ritually. Next to Narsingh temple exists a big hall provided with two doors called Sarai. Some cooking utensils and ration is stored in this Sarai so as to arrange Bhandara at intervals. Sarai is south faced and adjacent to it is a hall that has been constructed by a devotee to facilitate the devotees. Next to Sarai is a small temple of God Satnarayana; the idol of God Satnarayana exist inside the temple. The temple has been provided with a small door and a verandah. The devotees from the surrounding villages come on full moon days to perform puja and offer Parsad to God Satnarayana. Durga temple next to this temple is west faced. The idol of Durga sitting on lion has been postured in sanctimonious smile. The temple is newly built and strikingly attractive. The next temple is west faced on a Vishvakarma temple which was constructed during the year 1971. The year of construction has been shown above the small door of temple. Inside the temple, idol of Vishwakrma is placed. The devotees, particularly, masons and carpenters of the surrounding keep fast on Vishwakarma day and visit the holy site to offer the prayers. Next to Vishwakarama temple, there is a stone boulder on which idol of Hanuman is carved. This idol had been existing over long time. The ravages of time has not changed it. A temple has now been constructed over it. The temple is west faced and idol of Hanuman is in it.
After crossing over the newly constructed small bridge one enters the eastern part of Venisangh. A Shiva temple of historical importance enhances the beauty of Venisangh. The temple is south faced and Shiva – Parvati are postured sitting over Nandi(bull). A brass vessel with a brass stand has been placed over Shiva lingum. The pot is filled with the water by devotees and water filled in the pot lasts for hours; when it becomes empty, the pot is again filled with water.
A Nandi chiseled on local stone has been placed opposite the door of temple. There is a big hall facing towards the temple with open front. A back door faces towards river Tawi. It is such a position wherefrom one can enjoy the glimpses of natural grace. There are two samadhis and one kund available in the hall. The samadhis pertain to two saints who had gone to Samadhi when they were alive. These samadhis are now called as Guru-Chela Samadhi. On the occasion of Shivratri and other pious days after queuing for a quite long time one is let into the mandir for the darshan of Lord Shiva. Outside the Shiva temple premises, one more Ganga temple has been constructed by a devotee.
A takri inscription is also existing on a big boulder on the left hand side near the stream which is understood to have the reference to the last rites of a mahant completed here.
At present road available to Venisangh is extensively damaged which needs immediate repairs and black topping so that it is convenient to visit by the devotees.
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