Paithani Mahadev Mandir, Uttarakhand

Address

Paithani Mahadev Mandir, Paithani, Pauri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand 246123

Diety

Mahadev

Introduction

Pauri Garhwal is a district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Its headquarters is in the town of Pauri. Rahu Temple/ Paithani Mahadev Mandir is situated in the lap of the Himalayas in of Uttarakhand. Situated on the banks of Western Nayar under Paithani village of Kandarsun belt, 46 km from Pauri city, the Shiva temple is famous for its unique architectural structure in the entire Garhwal Himalayas. Local people know Shiv Mandir Paithani as “Rahu Mandir”. But the ancient Shivling established in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple and the marking of the three faces of Shiva on the Shukanasika of the temple presents strong evidence of this temple being a Shiva temple. This ruins Rahu Mandir of Paithani village is the beauty of Sanatani culture that the God worshipped in it, as well as Demons or Asuras in the same sense

Puranic Significance

It is a popular belief that Rahu did penance to Shiva at the confluence of the eastern Nayar and western Nayar of the Rashtrakuta mountain, that is why it is also known by the name of Rahu temple due to Rahu’s penance. This area was called “Rath” after the name of Rashtrakuta mountain. It is also believed that worshiping on this peeth leads to the birth of a son. On every Monday of the month of Sawan, women worship in this temple by offering Belpatri. A rare statue of Trimukhi Harihara is also installed in the pavilion of the pagoda along with an attractive statue of Veenadhar Shiva. In the center of the statue, the coordinated face of Harihara is soft, while the face of Aghor on the right and the face of Barah on the right. Shiva temple and statues of Paithani appear to be built in the 8th-9th century. The sand brought by the waters of the western Nayar river flowing near the river is known as “gold sand” called “eluvial sand” which can still be seen in pale red color along the river.

Beliefs

There is a belief behind this that when Rahu came to this Himalayan region to do penance, a bull had given him miraculous visions at this deserted place. Since then it is a popular belief that here Rahu finds his adorable god Lord Shiva in every bull.