Markandeshwar Mahadev Temple

Haryana, Kurukshetra, Chandigarh

The Markandeshwar Mahadev temple is a popular Shiva temple, located at Shahabad Markanda, in the Kurukshetra district of Haryana. The name Markandeshwar is associated with Maharishi Markandeya who was a great devotee of Shiva and after whom the temple is named. The original temple is dates back to pre-Mahabharat times. The current structure was built in the early 20th century.

Legend

Markandeya was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. Destined to die at the age of 16, he continued to pray to the Lord on the day he was supposed to die. The messengers of Yama, were unable to take away his life because of his worship of Shiva. Finally, Yama himself came to take Markandeya's life away and sprung his noose around the young boy's neck. The noose, unfortunately landed around the Shivalingam and Shiva emerged from it, fought Yama and defeated him. Shiva then gave a boon that Markandeya would live forever. The Markandeshwar Mahadev temple is supposed to be the place where the young sage prayed to Shiva in order to win over his destiny.

Architecture

The white arch with carvings lead to the temple built in white marble with a pyramid shiikhara on the top. The walls of the temple depict a scene of Lord Shiva saving the child Markandeya from Yama, the Lord of death. The wooden carved walls with a wooden door opens to the inner sanctum which has a Shiv Lingam, idols of Lord Shiva and young Markandeya.
Pic courtesy - Rajesh Bansal, http://www.panoramio.com/

Darsan Info

Pilgrims flock to the temple on Sundays and during the month of Shravan (July - August).

Darsan Dresscode

Devotees are advised to wear clean and conservative attire

Famous Festival

March - Shivrathri

Culture

Kurukshetra also known as Dharmakshetra is considered a holy place. The importance of the place is because of the Kurukshetra War of the Mahabharata being fought on this land. It was here that Lord Krishna preached the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna. Kurukshetra banned the sale, possession and consumption of meat within its limits due to the religious significance of the place.