Bhartrihari Temple Alwar

Bhartrihari Temple is located in Alwar, the nearest city to the Sariska National Tiger Reserve. The temple, situated at a distance of about 30 km from Alwar, is dedicated to Yogi Bhartrihari Nath, who is one among the most revered spiritual leaders of Rajasthan. This temple is constructed in traditional Rajasthani architectural style, above the samadhi of Yogi Bhartrihari Nath.
When Bhartrhari was king of 'Ujjayani' (modern day Ujjain) in his state there lived a Brahman who after years of austerities was given the fruit of immortality from the celestial tree of Kalpavriksha. The Brahman presented the same to his monarch, Raja Bhartrhari, who in turn, passed it on to his love, the beautiful, Pinglah Rani or Ananga Sena (as per Maha Kavi Kalidas), Raja Bhartrhari's last and youngest wife. The queen, being in love with the Head police officer.

He later became a disciple of Pattinathar (Swetharanyar or Pattinathu chettiyar is poorvashram name of this saint from Poompuhar,Tamil Nadu) who first indulged in an argument about samsari and sanyasi with king Bhartrhari later during the conversation pattinathar said that all women have 'dual mind' and it might be the true case even with parameswari. King conveyed this news to rani Pingalah and she ordered Pattinathar to get punished and to sit in 'kalu maram' (Tree, whose top portion would be sharpened like a pencil and whole tree is fully painted with oil, person who are allowed to sit in the top will split into 2 pieces), they tried pattinathar but kalu maram started burning and nothing happened to Pattinathar, the king came to know this news and went directly to Pattinathar and asked him to get ready to die the next day, but Pattinathar replied i'm ready even now to die. The next day king came with tears in his eyes and released saint from jail because he actually noticed queen pingalah in love with horsemen that night, He threw away his empire, wealth, even his full dress coat and dressed in a simple kovanam (loin cloth).

History
There are many myths about the Maharaja Bharthari. Some believe there was a Brahman in the city of Ujjain who meditated for years and received the fruit of immortality from the Kalpavriksha. The Brahman gifted to the then King of Ujjain, Bharthari. King in turn gave it to his wife, Rani Pingala. The fruit was passed by her to her beloved who was another official of the state of Ujjain. The official gave it to his wife Lakha who loved the King and gave it back to him. The King ate the fruit and became immortal. But getting back the gift, Maharaja Bharthari realized his wife’s disloyalty towards him and in his grief gave up his kingdom and became a sadhu in search of salvation.

Another story says that Raja Bharthari on his way back from hunting saw a woman sacrificing her life by jumping into her husband’s pyre. Maharaja Bharthari also wanted to test his wife’s devotion. So the next time he went for a hunt, a messenger upon the king’s request brought back news of his death to Rani Pingala. She died on hearing the news itself. When King Bharthari came to know this, he was shattered. In his grief, he gave up the worldly luxuries and became a monk.

The king became a disciple of Guru Gorakhnath. He meditated here in Rajasthan and prayed to God for water. His sincerity and devotion was answered by God and rivulet appeared from rock underneath. Baba Bharthari as he was known later had buried himself live in the place where the temple stands today. Disciples of Baba Bharthari have kept a lamp alight ceaselessly. In addition, a Dhuni (fire place) has been kept blazing constantly by the sadhus.