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The Gazetteer informs that there are a number of sacred sites (sthans) such as Kusheshwarsthan (ten miles north-west of Hasanpur Railway Station), Khudneshwaristhan (At and P.O. Morwa, Samastipur Subdivision), Tilkeshwarsthan (ten miles from Kusheshwarsthan), Kaileshwarsthan (five miles west of Madhubani town), Bageshwaristhan (Darbhanga), Durgasthan (Khojipatti, Darbhanga), etc. Big melas and fairs are organized at these sacred sites. Important Traditional Fairs have been regularly held on the occasions of Shivaratri and in the holy month of Shravan at both sites of Tilkeshwar Sthan and Kusheshwar Sthana since unknown antiquity. These fairs have been an important aspect of the folk culture of Mithila, and still attract a large number of visitors from far off villages.
The Kusheswarsthan mela, has been mentioned the most important among the seasonal fairs. The congregation on the occasion of Sravan is the largest. The Sravan mela is held on every Monday and continues on the successive four to five Mondays. About 20,000 visitors then (1964) assembled at Kusheshwarsthan. The Gazetteer then mentions about the mela on Mondays in Shravan at Tilkeshwarasthan Shiva temple, ten miles form Kusheswar Asthan. It informs that about ten thousand people then visited the temple.
Tradition thus attests the importance and antiquity of the site and the ruins of the old temple are scattered around the recently constructed temple which lies on a high mound. Brickwork and other fragments of the earlier building can be noticed while visiting the temple. Remnants of a statue of Uma-Maheshwara in the usual posture were found lying in the courtyard, along with remains of other ancient statues including Shivalinga. Though lying unattended in the open courtyard, the statues were still being worshipped by the visiting devotees as was amply displayed by the coats of vermillion and other materials of worship.
Apart from the main temple, there are two more smaller temples containing images some of which seem to have been lifted from the ruins of the earlier temple. The main structure houses the main lingam, which is revered as Tilkeshwar nath. The doorframe used in the temple is from the earlier temple.
To be continued.....