Jageshwar

Jageshwer : Tourist Spots

Jageshwar a Hindu pilgrimage town located at a distance of 36 km northeast of Almora, in Kumaun region. Jageshwar is dedicated to Lord Shiva and houses more than 100 temples. Number of tourists visit Jageshwar as it is believed to represent one of the 12 jyotirlingas in India. This place is adorned by the deodar trees and the Jata Ganga which has its way into the temple complex along with several mountain ranges. The temple consist of 124 large and small beautifully carved stone temples of 9th to 13th century AD, Many temples now preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India, which include Dandeshwar Temple, Chandika Temple, Jageshwar Temple, Kuber Temple, Mritunjaya Temple, Nanda Devi, Navagrah Temple, a Pyramidal shrine, and Surya Temple. Mrityunjaya Temple is the oldest temple and Dandeshwar Temple is the biggest shrine.

Jageshwar Mahadev

The main temple is of 'Jageshwar Mahadev'"Bal Jageshwar", dedicated to Child Shiva. There is also a temple dedicated to Vridh Jageshwar, or Old Shiva, situated nearby. It is believed that Lord Shiva came here for meditation and when women of the village came to know of this, all the women of the village flocked in to have his glance and the men got infuriated and came to know who has captivated their woman, So to control the situation, Shiva converted into a child, therefore he is still worshipped in his child form here.

At the entrance of the Jageshwar temple two dwarapalas are there in the form of Nandi and Skandi with all the armaments. This temple is west facing. In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple the Shivlinga is divided into two parts.

The larger one depicts Shiva and smaller one Parvati (wife of Shiva). An Akhand Jyoti, that is an immortal flame keeps on flickering here since time immemorial. Shivlinga is accompanied by two Asthadhatu statues of Chand Kings Deepchand and Tripalchand in the standing posture behind the Shivlinga.

Sri Mahamritunjaya Mahadev

The temple of Shiva is eastern facing and big Linga is worshipped as the savour from death. This unique linga has an eye shaped opening. This is the oldest temple in the complex.

You can here chants of Mahamritunjaya Mantra there. It is said every wish is full filled here but it should be with pure conscience. Also is an ideal place for meditation because of its calm environment.

Archaeological Museum

The Archeological Museum run by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), stores idols and statuettes removed from Jageshwar shrine dating 9th to 13th century.

One must visit the Archaeological Museum located near KMVN Tourist Rest House. Amazing idols and statuettes are on display in this museum dated 10th century AD.

Dandeshwar Shiv Temple Complex

It is very old among Jageshwar group of temples and is in a dilapidated condition.

There are 25 inscriptions of different periods are present at Jageshwar, inscribed on the walls and pillars. These belong to 7th century AD to 10th century AD. The dialect of inscriptions is Sanskrit and Brahmi. These are studied by D.C. Sarkar in Epigraphica indica.

Katyuri Kings also designated some villages to the temple for it’s care and maintenance. Katyuri King Shalivahandev renovated the temple. One can see inscription of Malla Kings on the main temple complex which shows their devotion to Jageshwar. Chand Kings of Kumaun were considered the great devotee of Jageshwar temple.

Vinayak Kshetra

This place is at a distance of 200 mts from Artola village from where temples of Jageshwar starts. It is also called as Mokshyadham temple. This place lies between Jhanker Saim temple, Vridh jageshwar and Koteshwar temples.

Sri Briddha (Vridh Jageshwar or Bud Jageshwar)

This temple is situated at the top of the hill at a distance of 3 km north to Jageshwar and comes after a uphill trek. It is contemporary to Jageshwar group of temples.

Pushti Devi (Pushti Bhagawati Maa)

It is the temple of Goddess Devi. This temple is in the main premises of jageshwar.

Jhanker Saim Mahadev

This temple is located south of Jageshwar. It is said that when Lord Shiva was doing Tapasya, Demons tried to interrupt then God Jhanker Saim send his Ganas to kill the demons.

Other tourist spots of interest

Jata Ganga
Airavat Gufa
Brahma Kund
Sri Kuber Temple
Batuk Bhairav Temple

History of Jageshwar Temple

Jageshwar temple are believed to belong post-Gupta and pre-medieval era and are estimated to be approx 2500 yrs old. These temples range in the period from 8th century (early Katyuri Dynasty to 18th century (Chand Dynasty).

Adi Shankaracharya got this place renovated and re-established before departing to Kedarnath. Jageshwar had been the cremation ground of Chand Kings. Many of their queens used to become Sati with them. The temples architecture belong to simple Nagara style which has tall curvilinear spire sikhara surmounted by an amalaka (capstone) and a kalasha crown the square sanctum sanctorum, entrance to which is through a carved doorway. Most of the temples enshrine a stone lingam. Impressive stone images are seen around the altar. The pilgrimage to Jageshwar was considered as sacred as Badrinath and Kedarnath.