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Matrikundiya Temple, Udaipurwati
Shiva · ‘Haridwar of Rajasthan’ · Shekhawati
॥ ॐ नमः शिवाय ॥
Set among the hills and seasonal streams of the Shekhawati region near Udaipurwati, the Matrikundiya Temple is an old Shiva shrine gathered around a sacred kund. Pilgrims revere it as the ‘Haridwar of Rajasthan’, coming to bathe in its waters and to immerse the ashes of the departed. The shrine fills with worshippers at Maha Shivaratri and again at Baisakhi, when the quiet valley turns into a place of fairs and prayer.
A sacred kund in the Shekhawati hills
The temple takes its meaning from the kund at its heart — a tank fed by hill water that devotees treat as purifying. Bathing here is held to wash away accumulated wrongs, and the site has long served as a place where families bring the ashes of their dead for immersion, a role that earned it comparison with Haridwar on the Ganga.
The setting of low hills and a stream gives the shrine the feel of a tirtha set apart from everyday life, even though it lies within easy reach of the towns of the Sikar district.
Shiva worship and the rhythm of the year
As a Shiva temple, Matrikundiya keeps the cycle of the lord’s worship, with the lingam at the centre of daily rites and the kund framing the larger acts of pilgrimage. Devotees offer water and bilva leaves and circle the shrine before turning to the tank.
The temple is busiest at Maha Shivaratri, the great night of Shiva, and again around Baisakhi in spring, when fairs gather and the number of pilgrims rises sharply.
Visiting the temple
Matrikundiya lies in the Shekhawati belt of north-eastern Rajasthan, a region better known for its painted havelis. The shrine offers a quieter, more devotional counterpoint, reached along rural roads from Udaipurwati.
Cooler months and the festival days are the most rewarding times to come; the hill-and-water setting is at its gentlest outside the height of summer.
How to reach Matrikundiya Temple
- By road: Reached by road from Udaipurwati in the Jhunjhunu–Sikar belt of Shekhawati; buses and taxis serve the nearby towns, with the final stretch along rural roads.
- By train: Sikar and Jhunjhunu are the convenient railheads for the region, connected to Jaipur and onward to the wider network.
- By air: Jaipur International Airport is the nearest major airport, around 110–130 km away depending on route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Matrikundiya Temple?
It is an ancient Shiva temple near Udaipurwati in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, set among hills and a seasonal stream.
Why is it called the ‘Haridwar of Rajasthan’?
Like Haridwar on the Ganga, its sacred kund is a place where pilgrims bathe and immerse the ashes of the departed, giving it the same role as a riverside tirtha.
Which deity is worshipped here?
The temple is dedicated to Shiva, with the lingam at the centre of its daily worship.
What is the sacred kund used for?
Devotees bathe in the kund as an act of purification, and families bring the ashes of the dead for immersion in its waters.
When is the temple busiest?
It draws the largest crowds at Maha Shivaratri and around Baisakhi, when fairs and pilgrimage swell the valley.
What is the setting like?
The shrine sits in a hill-and-stream landscape in the Shekhawati belt, a quiet contrast to the painted havelis the region is known for.
॥ हर हर महादेव ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Primary Deity | Shiva |
| Location | Near Udaipurwati, Shekhawati |
| State | Rajasthan |
| Also Known As | Haridwar of Rajasthan |
| Sacred Feature | Holy kund for bathing and ash immersion |
| Major Festivals | Maha Shivaratri, Baisakhi |