Baijnath Shiva Temple Complex, Uttarakhand

Address

Baijnath Shiva Temple Complex, Uttarakhand

Garur – Bageshwar Rd, Baijnath,

Bageshwar District,

Uttarakhand 263641

Moolavar

Baijnath Shiva

Introduction

The Baijnath Temple Complex is a cluster of 18 temples located in the town of Baijnath in the Bageshwar District of Uttarakhand, India. The Baijnath Temple Complex is situated along the banks of the Gomati River, at an elevation of 1,125 meters (3,691 feet) above sea level.

Puranic Significance

The area was originally settled as a town named Karvirpur or Karbirpur. The ruins of this town were used by the Katyuri King Narsingh Deo to establish his capital in the region.
Baijnath, originally known as Kartikeyapura, was the seat of the Katyuri kings, who ruled over a region that included parts of Garhwal, Kumaon, and Doti (in modern-day Nepal).
When the Katyuri kings shifted their capital from Joshimath to Kartikeyapura, many followers of Shaiva sects, such as the Lakulisa, Nath (Kanphata), Jangam, Vairagi, and Sanyasi sects, also followed them. To accommodate these followers, the Katyuris built a complex of temples dedicated to Vaidyanath Shiva. Over time, the name “Vaidyanath” was corrupted to “Baijnath.”

Lord Shiva’s Divine Marriage:

The Baijnath Temple holds immense significance in Hindu mythology because, according to the legends, Lord Shiva and Parvati were married at the confluence of the River Gomati and Garur Ganga.

Built by a Brahmin Woman:

Another legend associated with the temple suggests that it was built by a Brahmin woman who dedicated it to Lord Shiva.

Katyuri Kings’ Overnight Construction:

There is also a belief that the temple complex was constructed in a single night by the Katyuri kings.
The Baijnath Temple complex is considered to be more than 1,500 years old.

Special Features

Temple Complex:

The Baijnath Temple complex is a collection of 18 stone temples located in the eastern part of Baijnath town on the left bank of the Gomati River.
The main shrine in the complex is dedicated to Vaidyanath Shiva and features a lingam. The sculpture of Parvati, crafted from grey chloride schist, is a remarkable piece of art.
Notable sculptural elements within the complex include a life-size image of Kal Bhairava, seated outside the Vaidyanath Temple.
There are 102 stone images in total, with some under worship and others preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India.
The principal deities at the Baijnath temple complex include Vaidyanath (Shiva), Parvati, Nrithya, Kartikeya, Narsimha, Brahma, Mahishasuramardhini, Sapta Matrikas, Surya, Garuda, and Kubera.

Adi Guru Shankaracharya’s Visit: