Hāṭakeśvara is a sacred tīrtha of Bhagavān Śiva in his golden form (hāṭaka means gold). It lies in the Saptago-dāvarī region. The Vāmana Mahā Purāṇa names it in two places. The first is the Hāṭakeśvara wedding in Chapters 37–40. The second is Chapter 63, where Bhagavān Vāmana says he is present at Saptago-dāvarī as Hāṭakeśvara, Mahāhaṃsa and Vaṭeśvara. Prahlāda also visits the tīrtha on his tīrtha-yātrā (pilgrimage).

The divine wedding

The Hāṭakeśvara tīrtha is the setting of a sacred wedding told in Chapters 37–40 of the Vāmana Mahā Purāṇa. Six divine women, daughters of ṛshis, were joined with their suitors. The occasion was arranged at the Hāṭakeśvara tīrtha. Bhagavān Śiva in his golden form, Hāṭakeśvara, who presides there, was present at the union.

Bhagavān Vishṇu’s presence at Saptago-dāvarī

In the list of vibhūtis (divine glories) in Chapter 63 of the Vāmana Mahā Purāṇa, Bhagavān Vāmana says:

“At Saptago-dāvarī kshetra I am Hāṭakeśvara, Mahāhaṃsa, and Vaṭeśvara.”

So Bhagavān Vishṇu himself is present at this tīrtha in several forms beside Bhagavān Śiva. These are the Hāṭakeśvara form, the great Haṃsa (the first swan of wisdom) and the Vaṭa (banyan tree) form.

Sources

Vāmana Mahā Purāṇa, Chapters 37–40 and 63