Baijnath Temple, Baijnath

Himachal Pradesh, Kangra, Shimla

Located in Himachal Pradesh,India, the Baijnath Temple is a famous temple which lies on the Pathankot-Mandi highway (National Highway No. 20) almost midway between Kangra and Mandi. The temple is over 1,000 years old and was constructed in 1204 A.D. According to the two long inscriptions placed in the temple porch, there existed a Shiva temple on the spot where the present one was constructed. The two inscriptions fixed on the walls of the mandapa of the temple gives an account of the ancient history of the temple. The temple was built by two brothers named, Manyuka and Ahuka in Saka 1126 (CE 1204) and is dedicated to Lord Vaidyanatha. According to the inscriptions, there already existed a Sivalinga known as Vaidyanatha on the spot; however, without any proper house. Therefore, the present temple and a porch was constructed. An inscription of 1786 was noticed by the British Archaeologist Alexander Cunningham in the temple and it refers to the renovations of the temple done by King Sansara Chandra. A similar inscription on the wooden doors of the sanctum also provides the date as samvat 1840 (AD 1783), that is very near to the Cunningham's date. The shrine was damaged during the devastating earthquake that shook the entire region of Kangra on 4th april 1905. The damage was reported by J. Ph.Vogel and has since been repaired. The temple is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India; however, the performance of worship and rituals of the temple are under a local board with SDM as its chairman.

Legend

According to the legends, during the Treta Yug, Ravana started doing penance in the Kailash to please Lord Shiva in order to get invincible powers. During the penance, Ravana offered his ten heads in the havan kund. Pleased with Ravana's devotion, Lord Shiva bestowed him with powers of invincibility and immortality and also restored Ravana's head. Ravana requested Lord Shiva to leave Kailash and accompany him to Lanka and stay there. Lord Shiva converted himself into a Shivling and asked Ravana to carry the Shivling without placing it down on the ground before reaching Lanka. Ravana became happy and carried the Shivling and travelled to Lanka. On the way, at Bajinath, Ravana felt the need to answer the nature's call. Ravana saw a shepherd and asked him to carry the shivling while he goes to relieve himself. However, the shepherd put the Shivling on the ground due to its heavy weight. Thus, the Shivling got established there and it is in the form of Ardhanarishwar (God in the form of half male and half female).

Architecture

The present temple is a beautiful example of the early medieval north Indian Temple architecture known as Nagara style of temples. The Svayambhu form of Sivalinga enshrined in the sanctum of the temple has five projections on each side and is surmounted with a tall curvilinear Shikhara. The entrance to sanctum is through a vestibule that has a large square "Mandapa" in front with two massive balconies, one each in north and south. There is a small porch in front of the mandapa hall that rests on four pillars in the front preceded by an idol of "Nandi", the bull, in a small pillared shrine. The whole temple is enclosed by a high wall with entrances in the south and north. The outer walls have several niches with images of gods and goddesses. The outer doorway in the porch as well as the inner doorway leading to the sanctum of the temple are studded with a large number of images of great beauty and iconographic importance. Some of them are very rare to be found elsewhere. The temple attracts a large number of tourists and pilgrims from all over India and abroad throughout the year.

Darsan Info

The temple is open from 9:00 AM To 6:00 PM

Darsan Dresscode

There is no dress code

Famous Festival

A five-day state level function is held here on Maha Shivratri every year.

Culture

Himachal Pradesh is a multireligional, multicultural as well as multilingual state like other Indian states. Some of the most commonly spoken languages are Hindi, Pahari. The Hindu communities residing in Himachal include the Brahmins, Rajputs, Kannets, Rathis and Kolis.