Sri Kalinath Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple- Himachal Pradesh

Address

Sri Kalinath Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple- Kaleshwar, Himachal Pradesh 177108

Diety

Kalinath Kaleshwar Amman: Parvati

Introduction

This ancient temple, which is located around 8 km from Paragpur village of Kangra district, and is about 44 km from Kangra. Lord Shiva is worshipped here in the temple and is believed to be the Maha Rudra of Mata Chintpurni. The temple is also known as Kalesar, and is built on the banks of River Beas. Many devotees come here during the Maha Shivratri festival to seek blessings from the deity. In the local area, this Temple is famously referred to as Kalesar, Kaleshwar Mahadev. It is amongst the oldest temples situated amongst the Himalayan mountain ranges in the Kangra District.

Puranic Significance

According to the Legend, In Satyug when demons become too powerful and were doing destruction everywhere, at that time to stop them from same, Gods went to Lord Brahma for help. Lord Brahma sent Gods to Lord Vishnu to seek advice and Lord Vishnu told them that only Lord Shiv can solve this problem. When Gods approached Lord Shiv, Bholenath agreed to help them and requested Yogmaya to take Avtar as Mahakali. The legend follows that Maa Kali killed all the demons but her anger didn’t finish and her anger turned uncontrollable to be handled by anyone. To calm Mahakali Lord Shiv turned himself into a demon and fought with her, the fight went for days and at last Lord Shiv laid himself on the ground in front of Maa Kali, Maa kali irrespective of anger was able to recognize Lord Shiva lying under her feet and this is how her anger finished. But because of all the destruction that happened because of her anger, Maa Kaali had to roam in the forest for years and pray to Lord Shiva. After thousands of years of penance by Mata, Lord Shiva got pleased, gave her Darshan and appeared as Joytirling at the place where Mata was worshiping. From that day that place is called Kaleshwar Mahadev. According to the belief of the temple caretakers and people around, every year at the times of monsoon, the flow of the River nearby keeps increasing till the time it reaches itself to the Shiva Lingam. After the water reaches the Jalahri of the Shivling, it subsides.

Special Features

The Shivling in this Temple goes downwards inside the earth and its depth increases every year. Shivling can be touched and is at an arm long depth inside the earth.