the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

On the banks of river Vithastha, lived a Brahmin named Pandav. His wife and his relations left him alone. He had Predharini's story with him. Pandav meditated in the name of Lord Shiva to obtain a child in a cave. Lord Shiva blessed him with a child. The Brahmin did his son's Upanayanam rituals in front of sages and requested the sages to bless his child . But the sages refused to do so. The Brahmin lamented that Lord Shiva did not bless his child with long life. Seeing his father lamenting, his son Harshavardhan promised him that he will meditate on Lord Shiva and get a boon for long life and will win against Lord Yama. Harshavardhan worshipped a Shivalinga in Mahakal forest and got his boon and became a devotee of Lord Shiva. Thus the Linga came to be known as Kanthareshwar. Whoever worships this Linga will lead a long life and will be disease-free in his life.