At the very beginning of creation, Lord Vishwakarma had built Sambhal Tirtha along with sixty-eight Tirthas and nineteen virtuous wells. Its name is ‘Satyavrat’ in Satyayuga, ‘Mahadgiri’ in Treta, ‘Pingal’ in Dwapar and now ‘Shambhal’ in Kaliyuga. Nowadays Shambhal is famous by the name ‘Sambhal’. Sambhal – In Mahatmya and other Puranas also the name ‘Shambhal’ is mentioned with Talavya Shakar, but nowadays only the name ‘Sambhal’ with Dantya Makar is popular. This is because some people are not able to pronounce Talavya ‘Shakar’. It is believed that both ‘Shambhal’ and ‘Sambhal’ are corruptions of the word ‘Shambhwalay’. The meaning of ‘Shambhu’s Aalaya’ is clearly heard from the word ‘Shambhwalay’. To keep it secret, this place is called ‘Shambhal’. -Gaurishankar Vaishya Humble
Prithviraj Chauhan’s capital
Sambhal has been famous as the holy abode of God since ancient times. Modern researchers have also thrown extensive light on this. Based on the findings, during the reign of Harsha in the sixth century, Brahmins predominated in Sambhal and through them the sun of knowledge was shining on the peak of Udayachal in Sambhal. According to Dr. Brajendramohan Shankhyadhar, in the first half of the twelfth century AD, Prithviraj Chauhan had dominion over Sambhal and his daughter Bela was committed sati there. He also made Sambhal his capital to attack the enemies and to escape their attacks. Here its defense was arranged through tunnels. There were tunnels here leading to Delhi, Ajmer and Kannauj. Now, when excavations are carried out, their traces are found at some places.
Shivling established at three corners
By reading Sambhal Mahatmya it is known that the entire Sambhal is Hari-Mandir. Three Shivalingas are installed at its three corners. Sambhaleshwar in the south, Chandreshwar in the east and Bhubaneswar in the north. The outer circumference of Sambhal with these three corners is twenty-four kos. Thousands of men and women participate in this parikrama on Chaturthi-Panchami of every Kartik Shuklapaksha. There are sixty-eight shrines and nineteen wells in its inner area of twelve kos. Lord Brahma resides in its huge size. Right in the middle of it was the ‘Hari Mandir’, adorned with the divine idol of Lord Sri Kalki riding on a horse, with a sword in his hand, which was demolished by heretical invaders in the medieval period. Later, Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore built a Vaishnav temple near this place, which is now famous by the name of Shri Vishnu Kalki Temple. There is a clear mention in Kalki Purana Third Part 18 Chapter, Verse 4 – Yatrashashashtitirthanam Sambhavah Shambhalebhavat. Mrityormoksha Kshitau Kalkerkalsya Padashrayat. That is, where sixty-eight pilgrimages have become possible, that pilgrimage is the abode of salvation from the majesty of the feet of Shiromani Sambhal Lord Kalki.
Sambhal mentioned in Puranas
The detailed story of Lord Kalki’s incarnation in Sambhal is described in Kalki Purana. Verse 1/1/15 says – At the end of the doomsday, the world’s grandfather Brahma, who created the world, created from his back a terrible dirty vessel, which became famous by the name of Adharma. As soon as the propagation of that unrighteousness begins, all the gods become sad and tell Shri Narayan about the plight of the earth. Then Lord Vishnu promises his incarnation at the place of Vishnuyasha Brahmin in Sambhal (Uttar Pradesh). Lakshmi ji is born in Sinhaladweep from the womb of Kaumudi, the wife of Brihadrath Rajarshi. Her name is ‘Padma’.
Lord Kalki incarnates in Virgo ascendant on the Dwadashi day of Shuklapaksha of Vaishakhmas. God appears to his parents in a four-armed form and takes a two-armed form with the prayer of Lord Brahma. After receiving the news of Padmavati’s Swayamvar in Singhaldweep through Vedmay Shuk sent by Lord Shiva, Lord Sri Kalki came to that Swayamvar. The marriage ceremony of Lord Sri Kalki with Lakshmi Rupini was performed there. Taking Padmavati with him, Lord Kalki entered the Sambhal city equipped by Vishwakarma. This incarnation story of Sri Hari is extremely auspicious, as it is said in Kalki Purana – This story of the most wonderful incarnation of Kalki Mahavishnu is going to destroy all the bad luck of those who read and listen to it devotionally.