Jageshwar Temple

Overview

Jageshwar Shiv temple is one of the oldest shiva temple in India.Jageshwar is a Hindu pilgrimage town in Almora District, dedicated to Lord Shiva, located 36 km northeast of Almora and around 101 Kms away from Nainital in Kumaon Region of Uttarakhand Uttranchal. Jageshwar is located at an altitude of 1870 meters. Jageshwar is the 8th Jyotirling among the Twelve and has great religious value.

About the temple

This is the Joytirlinga temple, the temple has two dwarapalas 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 burns in the temple. There are two Asthadhatu statues of Chand Kings Deepchand and Tripalchand in the standing posture behind the Shivlinga. We are not allowed to photograph inside the temple.

Legend and Stories

There is no definite proof about the construction of Jageshwar group of temples but these are stated to belong post-Gupta and pre-medieval era and are estimated to be about 2500 yrs old.These temples range in the period from 8th century (early Katyuri Dynasty to 18th century (Chand Dynasty).These 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.Katyuri Kings also donated some villages to the temple for it’s maintenance.Chand Kings of Kumaun were the great devotee and patron of Jageshwar temple.Adi shankaracharya visited this place and renovated and re-established many temples before finally departed for 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.Pilgrims used to visitin multitude en route to Jageshwar during their pilgrimage to Kailash and Mansarovar.Due to the restrictions on pilgrimage to Kailash and Mansarovar in the past,pilgrims were diverted towards Kedarnath.But again this centre has re-attained its past glory.

Festivals

Two main festivals are celebrated in the town of Jageshwar and these are the Jageshwar Monsoon Festival which is held during the month of August and the Shivarathri Mela which is held in the spring season.

Accessibility

Airport

Jageshwar is well connected by motorable roads with major cities of northern India. Buses to Haldwani and Almora can be taken from ISBT Anand Vihar, Delhi. Jageshwar is situated 37kms from Almora. Taxis to Jageshwar are easily available in Kumaon region. The distance from Delhi to Jageshwar is 400 kms.

Railways

The nearest airport for Jageshwar is Pantnagar. Pantnagar Airport is situated 150kms from Jageshwar. Taxis are available to Jageshwar from Pant Nagar Airport.

Road

Kathgodam is the nearest railway station to Jageshwar situated at a distance of 125 kms. Kathgodam is well connected with major destinations of India like Lucknow, Delhi and Kolkata. Trains are frequent to Kathgodam as it is the gateway of Kumaon region. Buses and Taxis are easily available to Almora and Jageshwar from Kathgodam.

Temple Address

Jagesvara Temple
Dandeshwar-Jageshwar Road,
Jageshwar Dham, Uttarakhand 263623