|
 JAGESHWAR
| JAGESHWAR DHAM | JAGESHWAR TEMPLE | JAGESHWAR TEMPLE
UTTARAKHAND |
Jageshwar is located at an altitude of 1870 meters. Jageshwar
is the 8th Jyotirling among the Twelve and has
great religious value.
Jageshwar is a Hindu pilgrimage town in Almora District, dedicated
to Lord Shiva, located 36 km northeast of Almora, in Kumaon
Region of Uttarakhand.
TEMPLES
IN JAGESHWAR | TEMPLES INSIDE JAGESHWAR DHAM |
The temple city of Jageshwar comprises a cluster of 124
large and small stone temples, dating 9th to 13th century
AD, with many preserved by the Archaeological Survey of
India (ASI), which include Dandeshwar Temple, Chandi-ka-Temple,
Jageshwar Temple, Kuber Temple, Mritunjaya
Temple, Nanda Devi or Nau Durga, Nava-grah
Temple, a Pyramidal shrine, and Surya Temple
amongst which the oldest shrine is the 'Mrityunjaya Temple'
and the biggest shrine is the 'Dandeshwar Temple'.
Once the centre of Lakulish Shaivism, in the Jataganga river
valley near a Deodar forest (Cedrus deodara) starting from
Artola village on Almora–Pithoragarh highway, where two streams
Nandini and Surabhi flow down the hills in the narrow valley
and meet near the sacred spot.
The townfolk believe that Jageshwar is the place of Nagesh
among the forest of Deodar, 8th among the Dwadasa Jyotirlingas:
the twelve resplendent lingas of Lord Shiva established by
Lord Vishnu.
The ' Jageshwar Monsoon Festival ', held between
15 July to 15 August takes place at Jageshwar during the Hindu
calendar month of Shravan, and the annual 'Maha Shivratri
Mela' (Shivratri festival), which takes place during
spring has an important place in the calendar of the entire
Kumaon region.
 History
of Jageshwar
The ancient treatise Prasadmandanam describe Jageshwar as
an Abode of Lord Shiva.
There is no definite dating of the construction of Jageshwar
group of temples but according to the ASI, they belong to
the post-Gupta and pre-medieval eras and are estimated to
be about 2500 years old. These temples range in the
period from the 8th century (early Katyuri Dynasty to the
18th century (Chand Dynasty). The temples were renovated during
the reign of Katyuri King Shalivahandev. There is an inscription
of Malla Kings on the main temple premises indicating their
devotion to Jageshwar. The Katyuri Kings also donated villages
to the temple priests for it’s maintenance. The Chand Kings
of Kumaon were also patrons of the Jageshwar temple.
Jageshwar
Dham in the year 1890
It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya visited Jageshwar and
renovated and re-established many temples before leaving for
Kedarnath. The Samsan ghat of Jageshwar is also the cremation
ground of the erstwhile Chand Kings. It is possible that sati,
the act of self-immolation, may have been performed here. The
temples architecture belong to the Nagara style, characterized
by a tall curved spire surmounted by an amalaka (capstone) and
a kalasha crown. Most of the temples enshrine a stone lingam,
surrounded by stone scultptures of various deities. The pilgrimage
to Jageshwar was considered as sacred as the famous chardham
yatra.
Before the construction of roads, pilgrims passed through Jageshwar
en route to Kailash and Mansarovar. Due to the restrictions
on pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar in the past, pilgrims were
diverted towards Kedarnath; however, this center has re-attained
its past glory.
Inscriptions
in Jageshwar Dham
Over 25 inscriptions of different periods are inscribed on the
walls and pillars of the Jageshwar temples. Most of these belong
to the period between the 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.
Legend
of Jageshwar
The main temple in the temple complex at 'Jageshwar Mahadev'
is dedicated to ‘Bal Jageshwar’, or the Child Shiva. There is
also a temple dedicated to Vridh Jageshwar, or Old Shiva, situated
on the higher slopes. According to tradition, Lord Shiva came
to meditate here, and when the women of the village came to
know of this, they immediately left their household chores to
have his darshan. When the men of the village heard of this,
they were infuriated and came to see who is this sadhu who has
captivated their woman. Seeing the commotion, Shiva took the
form of a child, which is why he is still worshipped in his
child form here
TEMPLES
IN JAGESHWAR
Jageshwar
Mahadev
Tarun Jageshwar is one of the principal temples situated in
the temple premises. The temple has two dwarapalas (door guardians)
in the form of the armed Nandi and Skandi. This is a west facing
temple of Lord Shiva. Here, Shiva is worshipped in the form
of Nagesh/Jageshwar. In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple,
the Shivlinga is divided into two parts. The larger one depicts
Shiva and smaller one his consort Parvati. An Akhand Jyoti,
(an immortal flame) burns in the temple. There are two Asthadhatu
statues of Chand Kings Deepchand and Tripalchand in the standing
posture behind the Shivlinga.
Sri
Maha Mritunjaya Mahadev
The Maha Mrityunjay temple is the largest and oldest temple
in the Jageshwar temple complex. This temple of Shiva is eastern
facing and the Linga is worshipped as the saviour from death.
The unique linga has an eye shaped opening. Pilgrims believe
that reciting the Maha mritunjaya Mantra is a fruitful,
auspicious and powerful method of self realisation,
removal of evil effects, and freedom from all kinds of
fears, illness and negativity. The Maha mritunjaya
Mantra is attested in the Sukla Yajurveda Samhita.
Dandeshwar
Shiv Temple Complex
Situated slightly upstream from the Jageshwar temple complex,
the Dandeshwar temple complex is in a dilapidated condition.
The stone lingam is a natural rock, and, unlike the lingams
of the Jageshwar complex, is not carved.
Vinayak
Kshetra
This place is 200 mts from Artola village from where temples
of Jageshwar starts. It is called Mokshyadham temple. From this
place Vinayak Kshetra or sacred area begins. This place lies
between Jhanker Saim temple, Vrudhh jageshwar
and Koteshwar temples.
Jhanker
Saim Mahadev
This temple is situated south of Jageshwar. Legend has it that
during the Tapasya by Lord Shiva, Demons obstruct His penance.
Then God Jhanker Saim come into being as Trinetra and send His
Ganas to kill the demons.
Sri
Briddha or Bud Jageshwar
This temple is situated three km north to Jageshwar.This temple
is situated at the top of the hill and comes after a uphill
trek. It is contemporary to Jageshwar group of temples. Pushti
Devi or Pushti Bhagawati Maa It is the temple of Goddess Devi.
The temple enshrines the full murti of Goddesses. This temple
is situated in the Jageshwar main premises.
Route
Map To Jageshwar
You Can Visit Jageshwar Dham By Taxi Or By Tours & Travel Packages.
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