Shri Maha Mrityunjaya Temple is one of the oldest shrine devoted to lord Shiva, sit at Jageshwar District of Uttarakhand. This temple is unique in its sense of architecture which illustrates the north indian Nagara Style with some exceptions of South & Central Indian design styles. Mahadev or Lord Shiva is known as the savior from death. The unique deity Shivlinga (The stone Iconoclast representing Lord Shiva), has the eye shaped opening. The Mantra Maha Mrityunjaya consists of three words Maha means great, Mrityu means death & Jaya refers to victory. This is believed that the devotees are used to recite Maha Mrityunjaya Mantras here altogether & gets patronage from death.
About Shri Maha Mrityunjaya, Temple:
Shri Maha Mrityunjaya Temple is a historic temple & the Holi Shrine situated in the lap of Himalayas at Jageshwar District of Uttarakhand. Shri Mahamritunhaya temple is the largest and oldest among the group of temples in Jageshwar Dham or Jageshwar District of Uttarakhand. As per archaeologists Shri Mahamritunjay Temple is the oldest temple in jageshwar. It is the most amazing & beautiful temple as well. The exterior of the temple include ancient iconoclast. As per the archaeologist & historians this temple is considered the most important because
- Shri Maha Mrityunjaya Temple is the most ancient and biggest temple.
- There are 25 inscriptions on its pillar and wall which are considered from 7th to 10th century in Sanskrit and bramhi language.
As per the puranas, Skandha purana and Linga purana the worship of lord Shiva was commenced from Jageshwar. And 12th Jyotirlinga was originated here in Jageshwar situated in Uttarakhand.
Brief History:
Shri Maha Mrityunjaya Temple, Jageshwar is the 8th Jyotirlinga from all 12 jyotirlingas in India. It was constructed between the 7th and 12th centuries. The vital artists of this holy shrine was the Katyuri Kings. Generally, the Katyuri Kings were used to work at night and most of the projects were completed by them only in a single night. So, no one can see them while working and their procedure & style. Architecture & Style of Katyuri Kings can be seen hereabout 400 temples situated in Almora. Lots of small & large temples are in Jageshwar. A spec is there that Katyuri kings were short in the height that’s why they also built some small temples in the Jageshwar Dham & Shri Mahamrityunjaya Temple. Around 140 temples were constructed in the Jageshwar District. Jageshwar is divided into two parts: The first part is Dandeshwar Temple and the second part is Shri Maha Mrityunjay Temple which is 1.5 km away from the Dandeshwar Temple.
The Lord Shiva and the Story of Saptarishis.
As per the history of Jageshwar & Shri Mahamrityunjaya Temple, Lord Shiva came here to meditate and at that time Saptrishi’s wives were attracted to Lord Shiva. Then, Saptrishis seen their wives with Lord Shiva and they gave the curse to Lord Shiva. And Lord Shiva rendered back the curse to Saptrishi’s for blinking like stars (7 Stars) in the sky forever. Shri Mahamrityunjaya temple has its own holy powers here. Mahamrityunjaya mantra is written on the inside walls of the temple in the Brahmi and Sanskrit language. The shivlinga in Shri Mahamrityunjaya is considered as the first Shivalinga of the earth. Shivlinga’s worship started from here. People also said that this temple was also used by some terrible elements to fulfill their wishes which were abasing the temple’s objective. Then in the 8th Century, Mahaguru Adi Shankaracharya came there and again started the holy worship in a holy way and stopped the terrible uncanny powers which were harming the society.
Things famous in Shri Mahamrityunjaya Temple:
- It is one of the most ancient and historic Shrine of Lord Shiva and the most famous temple among the temples of Uttarakhand.
- The shivlinga inside the temple is known as the World’s first Shivlinga
- It has the unique eye opening shape of the Shivlinga
- It has unique & ancient carvings on its walls & pillars written in Brahmi & Sanskrit Languages, which were written between 7th and 13th
- It has Rich Archeological history of temples in Jageshwar District of Uttarakhand
- It has twin stem tree which is known as the symbol of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati.
How to reach:
Shri Mahamrityunjaya Temple are often reached by local transport from Almora. This whole journey may be a bit easy to finish up to an area called Jageshwar. Almora & Jageshwar Dham are the foremost influential stops within the whole journey.
How to reach by road
If you’re traveling from Delhi or an area nearby you’ll be able to take a right away bus to Jageshwar then the temple is found in Jageshwar Dham Complex which is jiffy far from Jageshwar. The bus routes may have some very stops which are Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Dehradun.
A simplified path are going to be
- Take a bus ride from Delhi or nearby cities to Haldwani and Almora and therefore the distance from Delhi is 400kms.
- Take a taxy or local bus from Almora to Jageshwar (37kms)
- Taxies to Jageshwar is availed easily within the Kumaon region
- Night halt will be done at Jageshwar
How to reach by air
Airport nearest to the Jageshwar is Pantnagar Airport. You’ll be able to take a rental cab or visit Pantnagar Stop to catch a bus to Almora. Then can take a rental cab or local bus to Jageshwar.
A simplified air route are going to be
- Take a flight from Delhi or nearby cities to first stop at Pantnagar Airport, Uttarakhand.
- Take a bus/cab ride from Pantnagar to Almora (117kms)
- Take a bus/cab ride from Almora to Jageshwar (37kms)
- Night halt are often done at Jageshwar & Almora
How to reach by railways
Kathgodam is that the nearest railway to Jageshwar. Which is about 125 kms from Jageshwar. You’ll take a rental car or catch a bus easily from Kathgodam to Almora or Jageshwar.
Simplified railway route are
- Take a train from Delhi or nearby cities to first stop at Kathgodam terminal
- Take a bus/cab ride from Kathgodam train depot to Almora or Jageshwar
- Night halt may be done at Jageshwar
Places to remain around:
- Hotel Imperial Heights Binsar
Add- Binsar Road | Kasar Devi, Binsar, Almora 263601 Uttarkhand
- Lodge in The Kumaon
Add- Binsar Rd, Nearabout Kasar Devi Temple | Binsar 263601 Uttarkhand
- Resort: Heritage Resort Kausani
Add- Garden Baijnath Rd | Kausani 263639 Uttarkhand
- Sanctury: Tree of Life Grand Oak Manor, Binsar Wildlife Sanctury
Add- Binsar Estate, Ayarpani | Almora, Binsar 263601 Uttarakhand
- Resort: Suman Royal Resort
Add- View Point, Kausani | 263620 Uttarkhand
Entry type:
Like many of the holy shrines of Uttrakhand, Shri Mahamrityunjaya Temple is additionally situated at a awfully high altitude and a fairly arduous track. It’s 37 km removed from Almora within the forest of deodar & about 1860 meter above from the ocean level.
- It is advisable to wear warm clothes while visiting here
- People with heart conditions and Acrophobia (fear of heights) don’t trek this place.
- You can click pictures of temples and nature, try to not interfere with locals’ daily system.
Few travel tips:
- One can carry warm clothes, inners
- Carry water bottles and adequate liquids while trekking.
- Take the assistance of climbers.
- Proper food should be taken (biscuits & fruit juices are added on).
- One can carry basic attention kit (band-aids, antiseptics, and headache medicines is a must) while trekking.
- Keep sunglasses and suns cream on. Sunrays are often very steep here.
- Try to trek in an exceedingly group or with a neighborhood.
- Take small pit stops while trekking.
Prepared By:-
Ishwar Kataria
