Vardhani Tīrtha is a holy tīrtha (pilgrimage place) inside Dharmāraṇya. It is named after the apsarā (heavenly dancer) Vardhani. Indra sent her to draw Dharma away from his tapas (austerity).

Dharma was not troubled by her coming. He blessed her by giving her name to a tīrtha. The tīrtha shows the steadiness and kindness of Dharma. It also shows the holiness of the Dharmāraṇya kshetra, where even those who come without invitation are blessed.

Origin

Dharma performed tapas at Dharmāraṇya for thirty thousand years. During this time the apsarā Vardhani came to him, sent by Indra to break his austerity. Dharma asked her why she had come, and she told him truthfully that Indra had given her this order.

Dharma did not become angry. He answered with kindness. He said that her coming to this holy kshetra was itself a good sign. He blessed her by naming a tīrtha within Dharmāraṇya after her, the Vardhani Tīrtha. (Skanda Mahā Purāṇa, Brahma Khaṇḍa, Dharmāraṇya Khaṇḍa, Pūrvārdha, Chapters 3–4)

Significance

Vardhani Tīrtha is one of the tīrthas of Dharmāraṇya. The Dharmāraṇya Khaṇḍa says that all the tīrthas of the three worlds are always present within the bounds of Dharmāraṇya. Vardhani Tīrtha is one of the tīrthas named in it that have their lasting origin in this kshetra.

Sources

Skanda Mahā Purāṇa, Brahma Khaṇḍa, Dharmāraṇya Khaṇḍa, Pūrvārdha, Chapters 3–4