Jageshwar Temple| Dandeshwar | Uttarakhand | Shailendra Kumar Sharma | जागेश्वर| शैलेंद्रकुमार शर्मा

Jageshwar Temple Dandeshwar Temple Uttarakhand Shailendra Kumar Sharma Jageshwar Temple Group, Uttarakhand Dandeshwar Temple Group Almora Uttarakhand Prof. Shailendra Kumar Sharma The ancient temples of Jageshwar Dham, located 35 kilometers from Almora in Uttarakhand, have provided spiritual vitality to this region, rich in natural beauty, for centuries. There are approximately 250 temples here, of which 224 temples, both large and small, are located in one location. Jageshwar Time Zone: IST (UTC+5:30) State Uttarakhand Population 4781 (as of 2001) Area • Elevation (AMSL) • 1,870 meters (6,135 ft) History During the Gupta Empire in North India, the Katyuri kings ruled the Kumaon region of the Himalayan mountains. The Jageshwar temples were built during that period. For this reason, the temples also reflect the Gupta Empire. According to the Archaeological Survey of India, the period of construction of these temples is divided into three periods: the Katyuri period, the Uttar Katyuri period, and the Chandra period. These courageous kings of Kumaon, settled in the snowy region, with their unique craftsmanship, constructed more than four hundred temples not only in Jageshwar, nestled amidst a dense cedar forest, but also throughout the Almora district, of which Jageshwar alone has approximately 250 temples, both large and small. The temples are constructed using large stone sculptures instead of wood and cement. Door frames are adorned with statues of gods and goddesses. Copper sheets and cedar wood were also used in the construction of the temples. Temples of Jageshwar Dham Jageshwar is known as Hatkeshwar in the Puranas and Patti Parun in land revenue records. Situated on the banks of the sacred Jataganga River at an altitude of approximately 6,200 feet above sea level, the natural beauty of sacred Jageshwar is incomparable. Nature has lavished its precious treasures upon this site. According to popular belief and the Linga Purana, Jageshwar is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas established by Lord Vishnu, the protector of the universe. Mythological References According to the Puranas, Lord Shiva and the Saptarishis performed penance here. It is said that in ancient times, wishes made at the Jageshwar Temple were granted in the same form, which was being widely misused. In the eighth century, Adi Shankaracharya came to Jageshwar and made arrangements to stop this misuse by nailing the Shivalinga enshrined in Mahamrityunjaya. Since Shankaracharya's nailing, those who wish ill for others are no longer granted their wishes; only auspicious wishes can be fulfilled through yagnas and rituals. References Jageshwar, "Abode of Lord Shiva," by C. M. Agrawal. Published by Kaveri Books, 2000. ISBN 81-7479-033-0. History of Kumaon, by B. D. Pandey. Kumaon: Kala Shilp AUr Sanskriti, by Kaushal Kishore Saxena