TEMPLES OF UTTARAKHAND
uttarakhand One of the most popular Shaivism sites in Uttarakhand, the Kedarnath
temple perched high at 3,583 meters is located about 223 km from
Rishikesh. Nestled on the shore of Mandakini River, the
Kedarnath temple is believed to be built by Guru Adi
Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE. The temple boasts an
impressive stone architecture having a Garbhagriha and Mandapa.
Here Lord Shiva is manifested in the form of a Jyotirlinga or
the cosmic light. The temple is believed to be 1000 years old
and is built of massive stone slabs fitted over a large
rectangular platform. One also can see a large statue of Nandi
guarding the temple against the outside.
An example of artistic excellence, the Baleshwar temple in Champawat is dedicated to the "Destroyer" Lord Shiva. History suggests that the Baleshwar temple was built by the early kings of the Chand Dynasty. The temple boasts a South Indian architecture with intricate stone carvings done on the ceilings. This stone temple is listed as a National Heritage Monument by the Indian Government and is currently maintained by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) from the year 1952.
Dedicated to Lord Burhadita or Vriddhaditya (the old Sun God), Katarmal Sun Temple is a 9th-century temple built by Katarmalla, a Katyuri King. Situated at a distance of 19 km from Almora, the Katarmal Surya Temple features exquisite wood carvings done on the doors and panels of the temple. The temple building faces the east in such a way that the first rays of the sun fall on the Shiva lingam enshrined at the temple. This sacred temple is hailed as the second most beautiful shrine in India, after the Konark Sun Temple.
Built-in the 9th century, the Mahadu Devta temple is dedicated
to Lord Mahasu, the "God of Justice" also revered as
the principal deity of the area. Idyllically situated on the
Tuini-Mori road at Hanol, the Mahasu Devta Temple is constructed
in the Huna architectural style but over the ages, it has
adopted a mixed style. The Archaeological Survey of India has
included Mahasu Devta Temple in the list of the ancient temple
in the Dehradun circle.
Locally famous as 'Lakeswara', Lakhamandal is a Hindu Temple
complex built between the 12th-13th century in the Jaunsar-Bawar
region of Dehradun district. The temple boasts Nagara style of
architecture and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This ancient Hindu
temple is quite popular among the Shakti cult. Many artistic
remains of the ancient times have been excavated from the
Lakhamandal complex by the Archaeological Survey of India. The
star attraction of Lakhamandal is the graphite lingam that
emancipates cosmic energy.
Triyuginarayan temple is famous as the spot where Lord Shiva
got married to Goddess Parvati. It is located 5 kms (off road)
from Sonprayag and one can visit here during their travel to
Kedarnath Dham or during Char Dham Yatra.
Tucked at an altitude of 1,126 meters is the celestial
Baijnath temple dedicated to Lord Vaidyanatha (Shiva as the Lord
of Physicians). Cradled on the banks of the Gomti river in the
Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand, the Baijnath temple is said
to be built by the Katyuri Kings of Kumaon in around 1150 AD.
The temple has marvelous architecture and houses a stone effigy
of Goddess Parvati chiseled in black stone.
The tiny hamlet of Devalgarh snuggled peacefully in the Pauri district houses several temples, having utmost religious significance in the lives of the people. Founded by King Deval of Kangra, Devalgarh town was once the capital of Garhwal Kingdom under the reign of Ajay Pal in the 16th century AD. Owing to its regal past, the town has several monumental temples that are a mirage of the glorious period especially the Laxmi Narayan Temple, Gauri Devi Temple, and Raj Rajeshwari temple, showcasing the traditional Garhwali architecture. At present many historical temples of Devalgarh are under the Archaeological Survey of India
The highest Shiva temple in the world, Tungnath is a marvel in
architecture. This sacred temple is believed to be 1000 years
old and was discovered by Guru Adi Shankaracharya. The temple
boasts a North Indian temple architecture that is similar to the
temples situated at Guptkashi, Kedarnath, and Madhyamaheshwar. A
stone image of Nandi is erected outside and to the right of the
temple entrance, there is a deific image of Lord Ganesha..
