In Gajendra Moksha, Bhagvan Vishnu rescued elephant Gajendra
who was caught by a crocodile. The incident symbolically explains the fruit of
true devotion. Hariharnath Temple at Sonepur in Bihar
is associated with this divine incident.
It is believed that the divine incident took place on the
convergence of the scared rivers Ganges and
Gandak at Sonepur.
Thousands of devotees visit the temple especially during the
Sonepur Mela.
DNA reports
The legend of Gajendra Moksha is associated with the temple in Sonepur. King Indrayamuna and the Gandharva chief Huhu were cursed and converted into an elephant and a crocodile respectively by great sages Agasthya and Dewala muni.
“A Gaj (elephant) was once bathing in the river Gandak also known as Narayani, when a crocodile caught hold of its leg in its mouth, both fought for a long time but at last the Gaj plucked a Lotus flower from the river (which is the favorite flower of Lord Vishnu) and started praying to lord Vishnu to help him. Lord Vishnu heard his prayers and helped the animal. Lord Vishnu cut the crocodile’s head by his Sudarshan Chakra and rescued the Gaj,” shared Pandit Akhilesh of Hariharnath Temple.
This released Huhu (the crocodile from his curse), Vishnu also released Indrayamuna (the elephant) from his curse and took him to his abode Vaikuntha.