Jageshwar Jyotirling Temple Uttarakhand Full Details
Jageshwara Temple, Uttarakhand
Area/Village:- Almora
State:- Uttarakhand
Country:- India
Nearest City/Town:- Lat
Best season to visit:- All
Languages:- Hindi & English
Photography:- Not allowed.
Jageshwar is a very famous temple and is known as the abode of 12 jyotirlingas. It is also known as the temple town. It has over 124 temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is situated at an elevation of 1870metres above sea level and a distance of 37kms from Almora. Jageshwar is an important tourist destination of Kumaon and receives thousands of visitors every year. This temple is believed to carry the Nagesh Jyotirlinga of the twelve Jyotirlingas present in the country.
Most of the temples have stone lingams and very impressive stone images around the altar. A carved doorway leads to the sanctum. There is a tall shikhara surmounted by a capstone and a kalasha crown.
Jageshwar Jyotirling Temple History
According to legends, Shiva selected this place to be his abode. During the Tapasya by Shiva, demons obstructed His penance. Then God “Sam” came into being as Trinetra and sent his followers to kill the demons. It is believed that Sam will come to Kotlinga temple premises to save humanity and Jageshwar in Kalyuga. Adi Shankaracharya tried to build the main temple at Kotlinga but Sam wanted Kotlinga to be specifically reserved for the meditation of Shiva. Old ruins of a temple structure can be found there. Local people still believe that Sam or Lakulisha, the Lord with a stick shall come and build the real Jageshwar temple near Kotlinga and thus save the mankind from adversities of Kalyuga.
It is believed that Guru Adi Shankaracharya visited Jageshwar and renovated many temples before he left for Kedarnath.
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Jageshwar Jyotirling Temple Inside
Kot Ling Mahadev:
It is situated at the “Sangam” of Jata Ganga and Sam Ganga rivers. This place is around a 2 km walk from the main temple complex of Jageshwar. A small mountainous trek leads to this place. Currently, this place has the ruins of an Old Shiva Temple.
Vinayak Kshetra:
This place is 200 meters from Artola. From this place, Vinayak Kshetra, or sacred area begins. This place lies between Jhanker Saim temple, Vrudhh jageshwar, and Koteshwar temples.
Jageshwar Mahadev:
Tarun Jageshwar is one of the principal temples situated on the temple premises. The temple has two dwarapalas (door guardians) in the form of the armed Nandi and Skandi. This is a west-facing temple of Shiva. Here, Shiva is worshipped in the form of Jageshwar. In the Sanctorum of the temple, the Shivlinga is divided into two parts. The larger one depicts Shiva and the smaller one depicts Parvati. An Akhand Jyoti burns in the temple. There are two Asthadhatu statues of King Deepchand and Tripalchand in the standing posture behind the Shivlinga.
Pushti Devi:
It is the temple of Goddess Devi. The temple enshrines the full murti of Goddesses. This temple is situated on the main premises of Jageshwar.
Dandeshwar Shiv temple complex:
It is situated slightly upstream from the Jageshwar temple complex, the Dandeshwar temple complex is in a dilapidated condition. The stone lingam is a natural rock.
Bud Jageshwar:
This temple is situated three km north of Jageshwar. This temple is situated at the top of the hill and comes after an uphill trek. It is contemporary to the Jageshwar group of temples.
Sri Mahamritunjaya Mahadev:
The Mahamrityunjay temple is the largest and oldest temple in the Jageshwar temple complex. This temple of Shiva is eastern facing and the Linga is worshipped as the savior from death. The unique linga has an eye-shaped opening. Pilgrims believe that reciting the Mahamritunjaya Mantra is a fruitful and powerful method of self-realization, removal of evil effects, and freedom from all kinds of fears, illness, and negativity.
Jhanker Sam Mahadev:
This temple is situated in the south of Jageshwar.
Jageshwar Jyotirling Temple Festivals And Timings
The Jageshwar Monsoon Festival is held from 15 July to 15 August. It takes place at Jageshwar during the Hindu calendar month of Shravan. The annual Maha Shivratri Mela (Shivratri festival), which takes place during spring has an important place in the calendar of the entire Kumaon region.
Jageshwar is an all-season pilgrimage and adventure destination. Summers are cool, a heavy prolonged period of rain is possible in April- June and winters are cold with chances of snowfall as well.
How To Reach Jageshwar Jyotirling Temple
By Road:-
It is well connected with direct road links to Almora (35 km), Haldwani (131 km.), Pithoragarh (88 km), and Kathgodam. One can use state transport and private jeeps and taxis that ply from these places for Jageshwar regularly.
By Rail:-
The nearest railhead is the Khatgodam Railway Station at a distance of 150 km from the temple.
By Air:-
The nearest airport is the Pantnagar Airport at a distance of 150 km from the temple.