Alha Udal are one of the most prominent historical figures of India. Along with being warriors, they were also the pious devotees of Mata Sharda. They were the warriors of the Chandel king Parmardideva, who was the king of Mahoba. They were born to Chandravanshiya Kshatriya family. Udal was 12 years younger than Alha. They learned the art of war and religious knowledge from their guru, Gorakhnath.
Alha an Udal were the learned scholars who shared a long-lasting bond between them. Alha and Udal were known for their bravery, serving their religion and love for their motherland.
Fight with Prithviraj Chauhan
Once, Parmardideva expelled them from the kingdom over some issue. They left Mahoba and went to another kingdom. But, when Parmardideva got a message from a spy that Prithviraj Chauhan was planning to wage a war against Mahoba, he sent an envoy to meet Alha and Udal. Without a second thought, Alha and Udal decided to protect their motherland. They returned to fight against Prithviraj Chauhan’s forces.
During the battle, Udal was fatally injured and died while protecting his elder brother, Alha. This sent Alha into a fit of agony and rage and he went on to ferociously fight Prithviraj Chauhan to death. He only stopped after his guru Gorakhnath intervened. After the loss of his brother, Alha renounced war and devoted himself to the worship of Mata Sharda.
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Alha-Udal, devotes of Mata Maihar
An epic, ‘Alha-Khand’, was written about Alha and Udal’s battles by the king of Jagner. According to popular folklore, Alha and Udal performed penance for 12 years before Mata Sharda who gave them the boon of immortality, which is considered spiritual, not physical.
People believe that Alha and Udal continue to worship at the Maihar Devi temple in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh, which is considered one of the holy Shaktipeeth in Sanatan Dharm. Even today, when the temple opens in the morning, Mata Sharda is seen already worshipped. People around the area believe that, Alha and Udal come to temple daily and worship Mata Sharda before the temple opens.
In the popular folk culture of UP, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, Alha and Udal are still celebrated as brave warriors with unparalleled chivalry. They are even revered in regional folk literature, poetry, stories and bhajans. They have also inspired a genre of songs, Alha, which is widely used in singing bhajans, making Alha Udal an enduring symbol of bravery and a legacy to inspire future generations.
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