Jageshwar Dham Temple
General Information
Uttarakhand is filled with holy shrines and scenic beauty. When we refer to Jageswar or Jageshwar Temples, we talk about the hundreds of temples that are located near Almora. The valley is filled with temples in the Jageshwar and Dandeshwar site. The temples were built between 7th-12th centuries, and even in the 20th century, new temples are being built. While some are small in size, there are a couple of temples that are majestic.
The majority of the Hindus are religious, and when they come to Almora, a visit to the nearby temples becomes a must! Jageshwar is located 36 km away from Almora. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, you will find many devotees who come to seek blessings or are just curious to see clusters of hundreds of temples.
History and Importance
Although the origin of the cluster of the temple is unknown, the holy place holds significance for the locals around the area. It is the dwelling of twelve jyotirlingas. Devotees visit Jageshwar to seek blessings from Lord Shiva. During Shivratri, the temple sees a lot of crowd from different states.
Since it is one of the oldest temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, the devotees visit the marvel time and again. In total, there are 124 small and large temples made of stone. Archeological Survey of India has tried to preserve most of the temples. Locals cannot pin-point the exact date when these temples were constructed. It is due to the remote location; the history of the temple is unknown.
It is believed that many kings reestablished and renovated the temples. The Katyuri Kings even donated villages to the priests of the temple for the maintenance and upkeep. The main temple is dedicated to the Child Shiva, and this is known as Jageshwar Mahadev.
On the higher slopes, you will find a temple that is dedicated to the older Lord Shiva. As per the local tales, Lord Shiva had chosen this place to be his abode. In fact, the locals say that Guru Adi Shankaracharya visited Jageshwar to renovate the temples. This is before he left for Kedarnath. There are too many tales, but no evidence as such. The locals weave tales, but it certainly has holy significance.
Places to see
There are quite a few places to see near Almora. There is Chitai Golu Devta Temple, which is dedicated to “Goljyu Devta”. He is considered to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Martola is another place where travelers can get a picturesque view of the valleys.
There is a deer park in Almora where wildlife and nature lovers can get up close and personal with deer. Simtola is a famous picnic spot that is located 8 km away from Almora.
Add Kasar Devi and Katarmal Sun Temple in your list of places to see. There are many places of worship in and around Almora.
If you are in Jageshwar Dham, visit Dandeshwar Temple, which is just 2 km away. You can also visit the archaeological museum that houses some beautiful religious carvings.
Activities to do near Jageshwar
The Monsoon Festival in Jageshwar is popular, and it is held from 15th July and goes on for a month. Since the temple is devoted to Lord Shiva, the Mahashivratri festival is celebrated with great fervor. A Mela takes place where all the locals and travelers can mingle, eat good food, and narrates tales of Lord Shiva.
Bird-watching, hiking, and witnessing the beauty of nature are other activities that you can indulge in. Apart from devotees, you will find tourists who are interested in architecture and natural beauty. Some of the tourists visit the quiet place to spend a peaceful holiday with their family.
