xSirsa is a city and a municipal council in Sirsa district in the westernmost region of the Indian state of Haryana, bordering Punjab and Rajasthan. It is located 250 kilometres north-west of New Delhi and 260 kilometres south-west of state capital Chandigarh. Its history dates back to the time of the Mahabharata. At one time, the Sarasvati River flowed in this area. Current Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana also belongs to Sirsa.
History
Sirsa is listed in the Ain-i-Akbari as a pargana under the sarkar of Hisar, producing a revenue of 4,361,368 dams for the imperial treasury and supplying a force of 5000 infantry and 500 cavalry.
Geography
Sirsa is located at 29.53°N 75.02°E. It has an average elevation of 205 metres (672 feet).
Demographics
As of 2011 Indian Census, Sirsa had a total population of 182,534, of which 96,175 were males and 86,359 were females. Population within the age group of 0 to 6 years was 20,825. The total number of literates in Sirsa was 131,570, which constituted 72.1% of the population with male literacy of 76.0% and female literacy of 67.7%. The effective literacy rate of 7+ population of Sirsa was 81.4%, of which male literacy rate was 86.2% and female literacy rate was 76.0%. The Scheduled Castes population was 39,208. Sirsa had 36191 households in 2011.
Air Force station
Sirsa has an air base of Indian Air Force named Sirsa Air Force Station and this is one of the most important Air Force Station of India near Pakistan border.
Dera Sacha Sauda
The non-governmental organization Dera Sacha Sauda, established in 1948 by ascetic Mastana Balochistani, has its headquarters in Sirsa.
Shri Tara Baba Kutiya (Tarakeswar Dham)
Tara Baba Kutiya was constructed in the year 2003. The biggest role in its construction was that of the Kanda brothers. Tara Baba’s life was in the form of a Brahmachari saint. He was born in village Pali of Hisar district. His father was a landowner and cattle trader. When he was three years old, his parents died. His aunt brought him to Sirsa. At the age of ten, his focus shifted to devotion and he devoted his time to the service of Baba Bihari ji (Sirsa). The main attractions here are the Shiva statue, pagoda, Nandishwar, and the cave. The pagoda is 71 feet high, the Shivling established here has been brought from Ujjain, the capital of Maharaja Vikramaditya.
Sirsa MLA Gopal Kanda and his cousin Gobind Kanda, giving a grand look to Shri Baba Tara’s tenacity and workplace, got Baba Tara Kutiya built there which is known as Tarakeswar Dham. Shri Tara Baba Kutiya, built near Ramnagarian village on Ranian Road, is spread over 25 acres. From the main gate to the interiors and walls of the hut, images of deities are seen. The huge statue of Lord Shiva built in the hut and the idol of Nandi with it is clearly visible from miles away. The presence of Bollywood celebrities is recorded in the religious events held here. Many comedians and artists including Hema Malini, Sanjay Dutt, Dharmendra, Suniel Shetty, Anuradha Podwal, and Kavita Podwal have participated in these.