Geography
Maihar is located at 24°16′N 80°45′E / 24.27°N 80.75°E / 24.27; 80.75. It has an average elevation of 367 metres (1204 ft).
According to the locals of Maihar, the warriors Alha and Udal, who had war with Prithvi Raj Chauhan, were very strong followers of Sharda Devi. It is said that they are the first ones to visit the goddess in this remote forest. They called the mother goddess by the name 'Sharda Mai' and henceforth she became popular as 'Mata Sharda Mai'. Alha worshiped for 12 years and got the amaratva with the blessings of Sharda Devi. Behind the temple and downhill there is a pond named ‘Alha Pond’. Also at a distance of 2 km from this pond is situated a ‘akhara’ (wrestling ring) where Alha and Udal used to practice kushti (wrestling). The people of Maihar also believe that Alha is still alive and comes at 4 am in the morning to worship Goddess Sharda.
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