CM Nayab Saini Offers Prayers at Thanesar's Ancient Shiva Temple

Key Takeaways

Nayab Singh Saini visited Shri Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple, Thanesar on Monday, August 10, 2026 — the second Monday of the Shravan month.

He performed vidhi-vidhan puja (ritual worship) and jalabhishek (sacred water offering) to Lord Shiva.

The CM prayed for Haryana's continued progress in peace, harmony, prosperity and development, and for positive energy in every family's life.

Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple in Kurukshetra district is one of northern India's oldest Shiva shrines, traditionally linked to the Pandavas before the Battle of Kurukshetra.

The visit reflects Haryana's broader effort to promote its Mahabharata-era religious heritage as a pillar of regional identity.

On the second Monday of the sacred month of Shravan, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini performed ritual worship and jalabhishek (sacred water offering) at the historic Shri Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple in Thanesar, Kurukshetra — one of the oldest Shiva shrines in northern India, with roots stretching back to the Mahabharata era.

Saini shared the moment on Monday, August 10, 2026, posting images of the ritual and offering a prayer: 'Har Har Mahadev!' He expressed his wish that 'by the grace of Lord Bholenath, Haryana may continue to advance on the path of peace, harmony, prosperity and development, and that happiness, peace and positive energy flow into the life of every family.'

A Temple Older Than the Battlefield It Overlooked

The Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple is no ordinary shrine. Situated in Thanesar — a name derived from 'Sthaneshwar' itself — the temple is traditionally associated with the Pandavas, who are said to have prayed here before the Battle of Kurukshetra. The district of Kurukshetra is central to Haryana's identity as the land of the Dharma Yuddha, and the state government has long promoted its ancient religious heritage as a pillar of regional culture and tourism.

Shravan Mondays and the Politics of Visible Devotion

Shravan, the monsoon month considered most auspicious for Lord Shiva's worship, draws millions of devotees to temples across India. Chief ministers performing public puja at landmark temples on Shravan Mondays has become a visible feature of Indian political life — a way of signalling cultural rootedness and solidarity with Hindu devotees. For Saini, who has led Haryana since March 2024, the visit reinforces a pattern of public engagement at sites that carry both religious and historical weight for the state's residents. Haryana's government has consistently positioned the Kurukshetra belt — home to the Brahma Sarovar, the Jyotisar birthplace of the Bhagavad Gita, and the Sthaneshwar temple — as a destination of national spiritual significance. Saini's prayer for 'social harmony and prosperity' echoes the language Haryana's leadership has used to frame the region's ancient heritage as a living civic resource.

Point of View

Blending religious outreach with cultural identity politics. For Saini, whose tenure began in March 2024, such appearances at Mahabharata-linked sites in Kurukshetra serve a dual purpose: reinforcing his personal image as a devout leader and amplifying Haryana's longstanding pitch as the spiritual heartland of the Bhagavad Gita tradition. The choice of Sthaneshwar — arguably the most historically resonant Shiva temple in the state — signals deliberate symbolism rather than routine piety. As Haryana continues to develop its religious tourism corridor around Kurukshetra, visible leadership participation at anchor sites like this one carries both cultural and administrative weight.

NationPress

10 Aug 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Which temple did Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini visit on Shravan Monday?

Nayab Singh Saini visited the Shri Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple in Thanesar, Kurukshetra district, on the second Monday of Shravan, August 10, 2026.

What is the significance of Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple in Thanesar?

Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple is one of northern India's oldest Shiva shrines, traditionally associated with the Pandavas who are said to have prayed there before the Battle of Kurukshetra. The town of Thanesar itself derives its name from 'Sthaneshwar'.

What did CM Nayab Saini pray for at the Sthaneshwar temple?

Saini prayed that Haryana continue to advance on the path of peace, harmony, prosperity and development, and that happiness, peace and positive energy flow into the life of every family in the state.

Why is Shravan Monday important for Shiva worship?

Shravan is considered the most auspicious month for Lord Shiva's worship in Hindu tradition. Mondays (Somavar) within Shravan are especially sacred, drawing millions of devotees to Shiva temples across India for special rituals including jalabhishek.

When did Nayab Singh Saini become Chief Minister of Haryana?

Nayab Singh Saini became Chief Minister of Haryana in March 2024. He is a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).