The Jageshwar Temple, also referred as Jageshwar Temples or Jageshwar Valley Temples, are a collection of 125 ancient Hindu temples in Almora, Uttarakhand, India, that date from the 7th to 14th century. The Dandeshwar and Jageshwar temple clusters are two of the valley’s many temple clusters.Throughout the twentieth century, some locals attracted the construction of new temples.In various clusters across the valley, there are around 200 structural temples made of carved stone. Many are minor, while a few are significant.They primarily depict North Indian Nagara style architecture, with a few exceptions that depict South and Central Indian style designs. Many are dedicated to deity Shiva, while others nearby are dedicated to god Vishnu, Shakti goddesses, and Hinduism’s Surya traditions.
Jageshwar is a Hindu pilgrimage town and one of the Shaivism’s Dhams (pilgrimage regions). The Archaeological Survey of India manages the site, which is protected under Indian law (ASI).Dandeshwar Temple, Chandi-ka-Temple, Jageshwar Temple, Kuber Temple, Mrityunjaya Temple, Nanda Devi or Nau Durga, Nava-grah Temple, a Pyramidal shrine, and Surya Temple are among the temples which are present there. The Jageshwar Monsoon Celebration occurs in the Hindu calendar month of Shravan (about July–August) and corresponds with the annual Maha Shivratri Mela (Shivratri festival) in early spring.Other Hindu temples called Jageshwar Temple can be found in the Himalayan region, including one in Dalash, Himachal Pradesh.
History of Jageshwar Temple
Shiva, according to folklore, chose this location as his home. Demons block Shiva’s penance during his Tapasya. Then, as Trinetra, God “Sam” appeared and sent his followers to destroy the demons. Sam is said to be on his way to the Kotilinga temple grounds to save humanity and Jageshwar in the Kalyuga. Adi Shankacharya attempted to construct the major temple at Kotlinga, but Sam insisted that Kotlinga be set aside for Shiva’s meditation. There are the ruins of a temple construction there. Locals still think that Sam or Lakulisha, the Lord with a stick, will come to Kotilinga and build the true Jageshwar temple, thus saving mankind from the calamities of the Kalyuga.
Location of Jageshwar Temple
Jageshwar is 36 kilometres (22 miles) northeast of Almora, in the Kumaun region. The temples lie on the south side of the road that passes through an eponymous village at an elevation of 1,870 metres, in the Jataganga river valley, amidst a Deodar forest (Cedrus deodara).The temple clusters begin at the confluence (sangam) of two streams, Nandini and Surabhi, after they run down the hills in the narrow valley, on a satellite road branching out east from the Artola town on the Almora–Pithoragarh highway. The site is a narrow forested valley with oaks, deodara, rhododendrons, and pines that runs for roughly 3.5 kilometres (2.2 miles) along the Jataganga rivulet.
Human settlements can be found throughout the valley, giving amenities to pilgrims and travellers visiting the temples or crossing through on their way to other religious locations in Uttarakhand. Local villages include Moksha Dham, Dandeshwar, Jageshwar, and Koteshwar.
Jageshwar is around 100 kilometres (62 miles) southeast of the old Baijnath Temple and 100 kilometres (62 miles) northeast of Nainital, a popular tourist destination. It is referenced as a tirtha (pilgrimage) location in Hindu writings from before the 10th century.
The closest rail station is Kathgodam, which is 125 kilometres away. Roads connect Jageshwar to Almora (35 km), Haldwani (131 km), Pithoragarh (88 km), and Kathgodam. State buses, as well as independent jeeps and taxis, run frequently between these points and Jageshwar.
About Jageshwar Temple
- Vriddha Jageshwar: A few distance upstream from the Jageshwar temple complex lies the Vriddha Jageshwar temple. The Old Shiva temple, 3 km away uphill from Jageshwar, is said to have been Shiva’s home before he arrived in Jageshwar.The consistent peace that both Jageshwar and Vriddha Jageshwar exude is one of their most interesting features.
- Jagannath Temple: Outside the Jagannath temple, you can see the incredibly spectacular image of Ganesha as well as life-sized Dwarapalakas (door guardians).
- Pushti Devi or Pushti Bhagwati Maa: It is the Goddess Devi’s temple. The Goddess’s entire Murti is enshrined in the temple. This temple is located on the main grounds of Jageshwar.
- Sri Maha Mrityunjaya Mahadev: In the Jageshwar temple complex, the Mahamrityunjay Shrine is the oldest and largest temple. This Shiva temple is located in the east. The eye-shaped entrance on the Linga is unusual.
- Jageshwar Mahadev/ Tarun Jageshwar: Tarun Jageshwar is among the main temples within the temple grounds. The armed Nandi and Skandi serve as Dwarapalas (door guardians) at the temple.
How to reach Jageshwar temple
- By Air: People can fly into Pantnagar Airport, which is the city’s closest airport. It’s only 150 kilometres from Jageshwar. From Pantnagar airport, luxury buses, taxis, and Volvo vehicles are easily accessible to Jageshwar. Tourists can fly from Indira Gandhi International Airport to Pantnagar International Airport. Because this is an international route, tourists from outside India can fly into Pantnagar and travel to Jageshwar.
- By Road: Jageshwar is well connected to major cities in northern India via motorable highways.
- By Rail: The closest railway to Jageshwar is Kathgodam, which is 125 kilometres away.
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