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Baghnath Temple

Baghnath Temple

Char Dham Yatra » Temples in Uttarakhand »

Facts

Built in - 7th Century
Diety - Lord Shiva
Location - At the confluence of Saryu & Gomti river, Bageshwar
Timings - 05:00 A.M. to 09:00 P.M.

Baghnath Temple, Bageshwar, Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand, as you all know is the most peaceful place in all over country. It has holy shrines that is so soothing to a human eye that the person just wants to settle there. It is a place of various important locations and temples that has rich history and mythology. This place holds an immense importance in the history of Gods and Goddesses. This place is also known as ‘DEVBHOOMI’ which refers to as ‘the Land of Lords.’It also grants you the divine knowledge about various Hindu cultures and histories. Uttarakhand is also famous for its Char Dham Yatra journey. It Hindu culture it is believed that every person should visit all these places once in their lifetime.

Uttarakhand was also a home to many Gods and Goddesses and there are many sculptures and temples that symbolizes them and their life journey. This place resides many great histories under its surface. There are many famous temples in uttarakhand that is of immense importance. All the temples have their own specialty, culture, and history so far.

One of such temples is Baghnath temple.

About Baghnath

Bagnath temple is an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is situated in the middle of Bageshwar city. It is located at the confluence of Sarayu and Gomati rivers. Bagnath temple is festooned with bells of all sizes and features impressive carvings. Bagnath temple is the most famous temple in the district of Bageshwar. This temple has devotees from all over the world in the occasions of Shivratri. Bagnath literally means’ tiger lord’ is a temple after which the city is named as Bageshwar.

It is located at an elevation of 1004 m from the sea level and 80 km away from Almora.. The bagnath temple also houses Chaturmukhi shivling (the four head idol) and many other Hindudeities’ idol.

History of Bagnath Temple

History of bagnath temple is of great significance. Through some sources it was stated that the existence of bagnath temple was since the seventh century. Perhaps the present construction in nagara style was built up in 1450 by Chand ruler, Laxmi Chand. Though forseventh century AD to 16th century AD there are various statues that are still there. The archeology department took over to the temple in 1996. The Uttarakhand department has sealed several inscriptions and idols from seventh to tenth century inside the temple. These idols include SHIVA, Ganesha, Vishnu, Chaturmukhi Shiva, Teen Mukhi Shiva, Panch Mukhi Shiva, Mahishasura, Mardini, Sahasra Shivalinga, Ganesh, Karthikeya, Panchdevapath, Navagraha etc.

The significance of this temple finds mention in Skanda Purana. Hindu pilgrims and devotees worship this place all over the year.

Mythology of Bagnath Temple

According to the Hindu mythology, it was believed that Sage Markandya had worshipped Lord Shiva and the lord appeared in the dorm of a tiger to bless the sage at the bagnath temple.The other Hindu mythology mentioned that Sage Vashisht was asked by Lord Brahma to bring down river Sarayu on earth.

When the sage was executing the orders given by brahma, he noticed that Sage Markandya which was a devotee of lord Shiva was meditating on the path where river has to flow, so he asked lord Shiva to help him to intervene and the lord then plotted along with Goddess Parvati, to appear in the form of a tiger and a cow in front of Sage. Lord shiva in the form of a tiger started to attack the goddess, in the form of cow. Then to save the cow from the tiger the sage has to leave his place. As soon as he left, sage Vashisht brought down the sarayu river to flow down from that place. This is the place where bagnath temple is now situated
And then sage Markandya was blessed by lord Shiva in the form of tiger.

That is how the temple is named as bagnath which means ‘tiger lord.’

What is Bagnath Temple Famous For

Bagnath temple is famous for various activities:
It is famous for its temple, architecture, culture, idols and sculptures, its name, history and mythology, its view of rivers and mounatins, pilgrimage and much more beautiful sceneries and festivals as well.

Fairs and Festivals of Bagnath Temple

There are many festivals celebrated in and around bagnath temple. In the month of January there is a fair that the temple hosts. It is a grand fair called as ‘Uttarayani.’ This fair is celebrated on the festival of Makar Sakranti.

This festival is celebrated by holy bathing on the confluence of both the beautiful rivers Sarayu and Gomti during dawn time.

After the famous holy bath, the water is offered to Shivalinga installed inside the bagnath temple itself. The people who are religiously inclined towards this occasion continue this ritual for about three consecutive days which is known as ‘Trimargi.’ There are other beautiful festivals that are celebrated in the temple.

Best Time To Visit Bagnath Temple

This beautiful temple can be visited entire year. in January when there is a holy festival, or at the time of poojas that are celebrated on a grand scale. This is a beautiful place situated on the confluence of two beautiful rivers. the best time to visit this place in summer season is from march to May and in winter it is October to January. At this time not only, you can worship this temple but also you can have fun and enjoy the trekking, camping, and lot of other things. This point of time the atmosphere is perfect and pleasant for your journey.

Location of  Bagnath Temple

This temple is located in bageshwar district of Uttarakhand. The temple is situated at the confluence of Sarayu and Gomti river in Bageshwar. A short trail downwards led to this bagnath temple.

Distance/ Travel Time of Bagnath Temple
The distance to reach to bagnath temple is three kms from Kurmanchal Nagar Sahkari bank, bageshwar.

Entry Type and Exploration Time
There is no entry fee to visit to bagnath temple. The exploration time of this temple is approximately 1 hour.

How To Reach Bagnath Temple

By Road – it is well connected through motorable roads from the main destination of Garhwal and Kumaon regions of Uttarakhand. If you are travelling from places like Dehradun, Nainital, Almora, Haldwani then you can always choose local buses and taxis cabs are available easily for your journey.

By Train – Kathgodam railway station is the closest railway station to Bageswar city, which is 171 km away from bagnath. Once you reach to the station you can always book a taxi or cab and even local transport to reach your destination.

By Air – Pant Nagar Airport is the closest airport to Bageshwar district. Once you reached the airport you can always pick up taxi or cab or even local buses to reach to your destination. The distance between pant Nagar and bageshwar is 205 km.

Best Places to Visit Near Bagnath Temple

Kausani : Kausani is 39 km away from bageshwar. The main attractions that you will find in this place is the unique Himalaya darshan and sunrise and sunset views. You can see all the peaks of Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nanda devi, Bhadrakal nanda kot, Panch Chuli and Nanda ghunghti from here.

Baijnath : Baijnath temple is 26 km away from bageshwar west and 19 km from kausani. There is also a museum that you can visit around this temple. There is a group of temples at the sangam of Gomati and Garunganga toward north.

Pindari Glacier : Pindari glacier is around 3 km on the western slope of Nandakot peak. This glacier is very wide. You can also enjoy monal bird, which is the state bird of Uttarakhand, musk bear and Bhojpatra trees.

Pandusthal : This is a place which is incredibly beautiful, and it is also a natural point of view that can be seen from the border of Kumaon and Garhwal at a distance of 28 km from the bageshwar district. According to some legends the Pandavas had migrated here in exile. The famous fair of this region is held here on Shri Krishna Janmashtami.

Visit Bagnath During Char Dham Yatra

Char Dham Yatra is incredibly famous in all over India. It is the most important Hindu pilgrimage circuit in the Indian Himalayas. This yatra is famously known as Chota Char Dham in Uttarakhand. It is in the Garhwal region of the state of Uttarakhand. This circuit consists of four sites namely Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. It is believed that every person should visit and worship in these places once in a lifetime. It is also believed that, if you worship and pray in these places than you can also get ultimate moksha.

Bagnath temple is related to Lord Shiva. It is an incredibly beautiful place which is also situated on the way of your journey to all these places. It also carries rich history and mythology related to Lord Shiva which resembles Badrinath as it also has many famous temples of Lord Shiva. So, if you are visiting Uttarakhand for your char dham yatra, why not visit a place having an immense importance in Hindu mythology. It is also situated in the confluence of two beautiful rivers Gomti and Sarayu that increases its view and beauty.

This temple is one of the best places in bageshwar. You can always visit bagnath temple on your yatra to all these sites.

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