10 temples of Lord Shiva In Uttarakhand
10 temples of Lord Shiva In Uttarakhand -Nestled in the lap of the mighty Himalayas, Uttarakhand is a land of ancient temples and spiritual bliss. Amongst all the deities worshipped in this divine land, Lord Shiva holds a special place in the hearts of devotees. Renowned as "Devbhoomi", Uttarakhand houses numerous temples dedicated to Lord Shiva that have been attracting pilgrims for centuries. So, if you're planning a spiritual journey to Uttarakhand and seeking peace amidst nature's beauty, then here are ten must-visit temples of Lord Shiva that will leave an indelible mark on your soul!
Vishwanath Temple
The Vishwanath Temple, also known as the Pashupatinath Temple, is one of the most important temples of Lord Shiva in Uttarakhand. It is located in the town of Rudraprayag, at the confluence of the Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers. Devotees believe this temple is built by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th-century CE.
The temple complex contains a number of small shrines and temples, including those dedicated to other deities such as Ganesha, Parvati, and Hanuman. The main shrine is situated on a raised plinth amidst a courtyard. The sanctum sanctorum houses a lingam, which is revered as a symbol of Lord Shiva. Visitors to the temple can offer prayers and offerings to Lord Shiva, and partake in various rituals such as lingam puja and abhisheka. The temple complex also contains a water tank where devotees can take a holy dip.
Gopinath Temple- Gopeshwar:
The Gopinath temple is located in the town of Gopeshwar, in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The temple is one of the five Pancha Kedar temples, which are dedicated to Lord Shiva. The other four temples in this group are the Kedarnath, Badrinath, Tungnath and Rudranath temples.
Gopinath temple is believed to be built by Adi Shankaracharya, and is said to be the place where he attained enlightenment. The temple is situated at an altitude of 1370 m above sea level, and offers stunning views of the Himalayan mountains. The main attraction of the temple is the Shivlingam, which is made of black granite. It is believed that this Shivlingam was worshipped by Lord Rama during his 14-year exile from Ayodhya. The temple complex also houses a number of smaller shrines, including those dedicated to Goddess Parvati, Hanuman and Ganesh. There is also a small pond called Surya Kund, where devotees can take a holy dip. The best time to visit Gopinath temple is between April and October, when the weather is pleasant and cool.
Baijnath Temple – Bageshwar,
The Baijnath Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the town of Bageshwar in Uttarakhand. The temple was built in the 12th century by the Katyuri king, Bharaspati Deva. The temple is situated on the banks of the Gomti River, at an elevation of 1,316 meters (4,318 ft).
The main sanctum of the temple houses a lingam (an iconic symbol of Lord Shiva), which is believed to have been installed by Shankara
