The temple of Lord Shiva located in Baijnath city of District Kangra established in 1204 AD by Lord Shiva devotees is very popular. This is a grand temple where devotees keep visiting throughout the year. This temple of Mahadev built by the Pandavas is very beautiful and huge. This temple is at a distance of 100-200 meters from the Baijnath bus stand. So it is very easy to reach here.
This temple of Mahadev is situated at a distance of 16 km from Palampur. This temple dedicated to Hindu deity has been continuously constructed ever since it was established. In this temple, a large number of devotees from the country and abroad keep coming here. They consider this temple as a symbol of their faith.
A grand and huge fair is organized here on Magh Krishna Chaturdashi, which is popular as Tara Ratri. Apart from this fair, on the day of Mahashivratri, crowds of Shiva devotees are seen most in the temple.
Mythology & History of Shiv Temple Baijnath :
In mythology, it is believed that in the Treta Yuga, Ravana had done severe penance of Lord Shiva in Mount Kailash to attain many powers. To complete this austerity, Ravana dedicated his ten heads to the all powerful Mahadev in the Havan Kund. Pleased with his fierce and severe penance, Lord Shiva not only returned his ten ends, but gave him many invincible and immortal powers.
After receiving so many powers and his desired blessing, Ravana requested Lord Shiva to walk with him to Lanka. Shiva did not reject this request of Ravana and converted himself into a Shivling. Ravana became very happy to hear this.
Then Lord Shiva asked Ravana to take this Shivling to Lanka, but keep in mind that before reaching Lanka, do not place this Linga on the earth, because the place where you will first place this Shivling , it will be installed there. After this, Ravana started departing towards the south and then reached Baijnath. In Baijnath, he felt nature's call.
Then Ravana saw a shepherd in Baijnath, Ravana called the shepherd to himself and requested him to raise this Shivling for a while and told him not to keep this Shivling on the ground till I return, and then Ravana went to redeem himself from nature’s call. When the shepherd picked up the Shivling, he realized that it was too heavy and he was not able to lift it for long, and he placed the Shivling on the earth. That Shivling was established as Ardhanarishwar there as soon as it was placed on the earth, and there it is this Shiva temple Baijanth.
Dussehra is celebrated with great pomp across the country and effigy of Ravana is burnt on that day, but Dussehra is not celebrated in the city of Baijnath to honor Ravana's faith and devotion towards Lord Shiva. Another interesting thing about the city of Baijnath is that because Ravana's Lanka was also of gold, there is no shop of goldsmiths here.
Architecture of Shiv Temple Baijnath :
This Mahadev temple is a living illustration of exceptionally alluring design and extremely excellent craftsmanship. The sanctum sanctorum of the sanctuary enters with a patio, an enormous square structure before it, and huge galleries towards the north and south bearings. Before the structure is a little verandah sitting on four columns, before which is a sculpture of a colossal Nandi bull.
This excellent sanctuary is encircled by a high divider and has an entrance on one or the other side in the south and north ways. The external dividers of the sanctuary have sculptures of a few divinities. A considerable lot of the gods have been cut flawlessly in the dividers.
Festivals celebrated in Shiv Mandir :
Shivratri Mahotsav :
Mahashivratri is celebrated for 5 days with customary joy and enthusiasm. The towns of Baijnath and Paprola are enlightened and the Shiv Temple is adorned with blossoms and brilliant lights. Social Functions are held in the Indira Gandhi Stadium for five days and a mela goes for a few days close to Shiv Temple.
Sawan Melas :
A large number of fans crowd the sanctuary particularly on Mondays during the Sawan Month i:e July to August to pay courtesy to Shiva by offering jal on the Shivling.
Makar Sankranti :
In this celebration butter is put on the Shivling for 8 days. The butter for the gritmandal is set up by washing desi ghee with water and is then circulated among the devotees.
How to Reach Baijnath Mandir :
There are many ways to reach Shiva temple Baijnath. If you want to come by air then the nearest airport from here is at Gaggal, which is at a distance of 37 km from Baijnath, and you can easily reach Baijnath from Gaggal Airport in an hour.
If for some reason you do not get a flight to Gaggal Airport, then you can also take a flight to Shimla Airport which is at a distance of 224 km from Baijnath Temple, and from there one can easily reach Baijnath by taxi or government bus.
For this, first you have to reach Mandi from Shimla and then Joginder Nagar from Mandi, and finally finally Baijnath from Jogindernagar which is just 20 km away. In this way you can reach Baijnath Temple from Shimla Airport.
Best Time to Visit Shiv Mandir Baijnath :
This temple of Mahadev is open throughout the year and you can come here to visit anytime. But if you come here in winter, then that would be the best time to come here and see this traditional temple of Lord Shiva.
The sanctuary is available to devotees from 6 AM to 9 PM. You can visit the whole sanctuary in an hour, and there is no passage charge or entry fees to visit the Shiv Mandir. In the event that you are planning to visit the temple then visit it on Mondays, which is accepted to be a favorable day for Lord Shiva's lovers.
If you are an ardent devotee of Shiva, you can have darshan here on the day of Shivaratri, but keep in mind that if you want to come here to darshan on the day of Shivarati, then you have to reach here early in the morning. On the day of Shivratri, a crowd of people starts growing here in the morning. If you reach late, you will have to wait in line for a long time.
Places To Visit Near Shiv Mandir Baijnath :
While the Baijnath sanctuary is a heaven for explorers looking for harmony and otherworldliness, there are numerous places to visit near Shiva temple Baijnath.
1. Bir-Billing :
A world popular paragliding spot, Billing paragliding offers you a superb experience. Aside from paragliding, Bir Billing offers you an energizing chance to enjoy bold exercises like journeying, rock climbing, traveling etc.
2. Palampur Tea gardens :
Palampur is mainstream for its tea gardens, situated against the background of the Dhauladhar mountain ranges.
3. Sobha Singh Art Gallery :
Found 10 km from Baijnath mandir, the Sobha Singh Art exhibition is an unquestionable place to visit in the event that you are a craftsmanship fan or a culture buff.
4. Saurabh Van Vihar :
The beautiful garden, committed to kargil war veteran Capt Saurabh Kalia, offers choice perspectives on the snow-clad Dhauladhar ranges.
5. Winch Camp Trek :
This destination is known for its natural beauty and common magnificence. The excellence of this spot is the Himalayan ranges . The trek for winch camp starts from Joginder Nagar.
6. Rajgundha Valley :
Rajgundha Valley is a small village nestled between Billing and Barot Valley and is one of the most beautiful trekking and camping sites in Himachal Pradesh.
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