Jageshwar Dham Uttarakhand
India is a land of temples. Every temple holds a unique significance, drawing devotees with special features or mysteries. One such temple is Jageshwar Dham in Almora, Uttarakhand. Let’s tell you about it.
Who is worshipped at Jageshwar Dham?
The main deities worshipped here are Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, and Surya. Some of the most prominent temples in Jageshwar are Dandeshwar Temple, Chandi-ka-Mandir, Jageshwar Temple, Kuber Temple, Mrityunjaya Temple, Nanda Devi, or Nine Durga, Navagraha Temple and Surya Temple. If you are looking for devotion along with peace, then definitely visit this place sometime. This place will surprise you with its features.
History Behind Jageshwar Dham
According to legend, Jageshwar is a sacred place where the body parts of Lord Shiva’s wife, Sati Devi, fell to the earth. This mythology is found in the Vedas and the Skanda Puranas, ancient texts of Hinduism.
The story goes that Sati Devi, feeling humiliated by her father, Prajapathi for not inviting Lord Shiva to a grand ceremony, immolated herself on a pyre. Lord Shiva, grief-stricken, carried her body on his trident. Sati Devi’s act of self-sacrifice elevated her to divine status. The Jageshwar temple is believed to have been built on the spot where her body parts fell.
Significance of Jageshwar Dham
It is said that this is the first temple where the tradition of worshipping Shiva in the form of Linga first started. Jageshwar is also called the fifth dham of Uttarakhand. Jageshwar Dham is considered to be the penance place of Lord Shiva. This Jyotirlinga is considered to be the eighth Jyotirlinga.
It is also known by the name Yogeshwar. This dham is also mentioned in the Skanda Purana, Shiv Purana, and Linga Purana.
Many people perform a part of the post-cremation last rites of their loved ones at the Jageshwar temple site. The temples are trendy during the late monsoon season. In other months, pilgrims often combine their visit to the Jageshwar Temples with pilgrimages to Lake Mansarovar, Badrinath, Kedarnath, or other Himalayan sites like Gangotri. The site is also frequented by Hindu monks, who play a role in protecting its sanctity.
Festivals at Jageshwar Dham
The Jageshwar Monsoon Festival is a two-month seasonal celebration observed with great devotion by its followers. It begins on July 15th and concludes on August 15th each year. Many devotees, especially those on the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, participate in this festival.
Another significant event is the Maha Shivaratri Mela, which attracts devotees, particularly followers of Lord Shiva. During Shivaratri, the temple priests perform important rituals for devotees throughout the day and night.
Temples are important. One can be closest to God in these places. Visiting temples is like setting off on a sacred journey where the physical meets the metaphysical. These ancient structures are portals to the divine, offering a profound connection to a higher realm. Jageshwar Dhar is one such place. Try to visit it on the next auspicious occasion and get closer to Paramatma.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is Jageshwar famous?
A: Jageshwar Dham is a peaceful temple town situated in the Almora district of Uttarakhand. It is famous for its collection of over 100 ancient stone temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. This remarkable cluster of temples has earned Jageshwar Dham the name “Valley of Gods.”.
Q: How many temples are in Jageshwar?
A: Jageshwar Dham is considered one of the most amazing architectural marvels in Uttarakhand. It comprises a group of temples devoted to Lord Shiva. Among them, there are 124 large and small temples against the backdrop of lush green mountains and the serene flow of the Jata Ganga stream.
Q: Where are the 12 Shivlings in India?
A: The 12 Jyotirlingas are as follows:
- Somnath in Gujarat,
- Mallikarjuna at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh,
- Mahakaleswar at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh,
- Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh,
- Kedarnath in Himalayas,
- Bhimashankar in Maharashtra,
- Viswanath at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh,
- Triambakeshwar in Maharashtra,
- Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga at Deogarh in Jharkhand,
- Nageswar at Dwarka in Gujarat,
- Rameshwar at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu
- Ghushmeshwar at Shiwar in Sawai Madhopur district, Rajasthan,
- Grishneshwar at Ellora in Aurangabad district, Maharashtra.
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