Pehowa

Pehowa, town, north-central Haryana state, northwestern India. It lies along the Saraswati River.

Pehowa is an important Hindu pilgrimage centre housing the Pirthudakeshwar (Pirthuveshwar) temples built by the Marathas in honour of the goddess Sarasvati. The name is derived from the Sanskrit name Prithudaka (“Pool of Prithu,” the son of the legendary Raja Vena). Excavations have revealed inscriptions dating to the 9th century ce. Until about the mid-20th century, the Pehowa area was covered with dhak trees (Butea frondosa). With the introduction of irrigation, it has become one of the state’s granaries for wheat and rice. Pop. (2001) 33,564; (2011) 38,853.