Introduction
Uttarakhand is referred to as “Land Of God”(devbhoomi) as there is numerous of temple ,Matth and pilgrimage. Every temple have their own local belief and mythology and reconnect with our Vedas and purans . same as one of the temple situated in uttarkahand pauri district lasdown is Tadkeshwar Mahadev ,1800mt above sea level situated in chukliayakhal Pauri Garhwal,38 km from Garhwal Rifle Lansdowne, Tadkeshwar Mahadev is surrounded by deodar pine and the oak tree. The atmosphere is calm and quiet which is the perfect meditation place for a saint and sage. The temple is about 1500 yr old and dedicated to lord Shiva .temple covered with greenery with the sound of bells welcome to your temple area. The peace of mind sets on the next level makes your soul pleasure and connected to shiva.
About
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was worshipped as stone shivling in ancient times. In the excavation, an idol of lord shiva doing tandav was found , now the idol is main temple garbgrah and worshipped . There is a Mata Parvati temple and a monolithic dhuna enlightened from ancient times in the temple courtyard. Here is the scared pond, it is said that Mata Lakshmi built the pond in one night. The sacred water is used for worshipping god and Jal Abhishek of lord shiva and preparing prasad. People who have faith in the lord Shiva come from different states and make a wish and after fulfilling his wish they tied a bronze bell in the temple area. You can see thousand of bell ties from the entry gate sight to the temple.Sesame oil lamps and coconut fruit are offered to god as prasad. Every day thousands of devote feed Prasad after offering to tadkeshwar Mahadev.There is an ashram and dharmsala have 40-45 people dormitory .
Mythology and history
According to shiv Puran, a demon name tarkasur worshipped lord shiva at this place to impress him. To see his immense devotion lord shiva get impressed and asked for a boon. Tarkasur asked for a boon of immortality except for shiva’s son , as he knows that lord shiva was ascetic. After some time Tarkasur started evil by killing sage and saint and distracting religious home yaja. Saint and sage started praying to lord shiva to come out of this problem. Remembering the boon condition shiva married Mata Parvati and swami Kartika was born. swami fight with tarkasur. At his last stage, he realize his mistake and was sorry for them , to see this lord shiva pardon him and said this area is famous by your name tadkeshwar and I stayed here as Tadkeshwar Mahadev
Another local belief is that there is a sage a divine soul of a shiv. Sage looks like Digambar putting ashes on his body, having tong , trisul and damru in his hand looking like the avatar of Lord Shiva. He learn the lesson of kindness to the people and working for mankind When he saw people made cruelty to animals and humans, he started tarn means scolding them for wrong work, people called him tadn baba and he worshipped lord shiva that’s why local people called his temple tadkeshwar
Local belief
According to local belief, three things are prohibited in tadkeshwar temple first is Aswal caste people second is mustard oil use and last kandar(Sal) leaves.
Tadkeshwar temple is in between deodar oak and pine tree. According to the local story when lord shiva was in meditation and bliss, Mata Parvati saw the sun’s rays disturb him. She mutates in seven deodar trees to shelter him. The trees of deodar have the shape of OM, Trishul.
Fair and Festival
A fair is organised by Tadkeshwar Mandir samities during Mahashivratri festival ,Thousands of people came and do rituals. During Shravan month devotes come in large numbers doing worship and Jal Abhishek.
Location
Tadkeshwar Mahadev mandir is located at Chakhulyakhal, Lansdowne Dist Pauri Garhwal Uttrakhand.
38 km from Lansdowne and 66 km from kotdwara.
Map
Near by place to visit
- Darban Singh Museum: It is located 500mt from Lansdowne .It gives the detail of Garhwal Rifle from beginning
- Tip in top :It is situated about I km from Lansdowne market.
- Bhulla Tal : It is artificial lake built and maintain by Indian Army.it is about 1 km from lansdown .
- Dangal Mahadev : It temple dedicate to lord shiva ,situated in the bank of river nayar.
How to reach
- By Bus: kotdwara depo take a enquiry of UTC govt bus and GMOUunion bus time table to tadkeshwar Mandir.
- By Train : Kotdwara Railway Station nearest railway station ,frome where you can take bus or book taxi or car direct to tadkeshwar temple
- By Air: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun nearest airport 168km ,from where you can book taxi or car to direct tadkeshwar mandir or to kotdwara bes stand .
Best time to visit
Tadkeshwar Temple is open in all seasons, the best time to visit during the summer and autumn seasons .In winter Tadkeshwar temple is covered with snow .Avoid driving in hills during rainy season.
Nearest town city main marketplace
- Lansdowne :It is hill sation of north Indian state of uttarakhand
- Satpuli: It is a main market for different viilages or meeting points of different long route of uttarakhand
- Rikhnikhal A small market or connected market for kumon and garhwal region
- Dugadda A market founded by Dhani Ram Mishr ,
