Gopeshwar Gopinath Mandir- Uttarakhand

Address

Gopeshwar Gopinath Mandir Gopeshwar, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand 246401

Diety

Gopinath

Introduction

Gopinath Temple is a significant Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Gopeshwar Town, Chamoli District, Uttarakhand, India.

Puranic Significance

The Gopinath Temple was built by the Katyuri Kings between the 9th and 11th centuries CE. It is known for its impressive architectural design.

Architectural Features:

The temple features a magnificent dome and a 30 sq ft (2.8 m²) sanctum sanctorum with 24 doors.
The temple follows the Nagara style of architecture, typical of many North Indian temples.

Legends and Myths:

The temple is associated with several legends:
- The Trident Legend: According to one legend, the trident found in the temple premises belonged to Lord Shiva. He threw it at Lord Kama Deva (God of Love), and it became fixed in this spot. It is believed that while brute force cannot move the Trident, even the slightest touch by a true devotee can cause it to tremble.
- Reappearance of Kamdev: Another legend relates to Rati, the wife of Kamdev. After Lord Shiva turned Kamdev into ashes, Rati did penance at Gopeshwar. Pleased with her devotion, Lord Shiva appeared and blessed her with the boon that her husband would reappear.
- Parshuram’s Trident: Local folklore suggests that when Shiva was annihilating the Kshatriyas, Parshuram’s trident broke into three parts while pacifying Lord Shiva. A part of this trident is found in the Gopinath temple.
- Milk-Offering Cow: Yet another legend tells of a cow that used to pour her milk on the Shiva Linga every day. Witnessing this miracle, the Katyuri Dynasty king constructed the temple at the same site.

Unique Worship Tradition:

Unlike most Shiva temples, the Gopinath Temple does not offer milk and water to Lord Gopinath. Instead, Bilva leaves are the primary offering to the Shiva Linga.

Ancient Trident and Inscriptions:

The temple courtyard houses a 5-meter-tall trident made of eight different metals, dating back to the 12th century CE. This trident features inscriptions, including the names of rulers like Skandnaga, Vibhunaga, and Ganapatinaga.
The temple also contains images of Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesh, Lord Hanuman, Lord Brahma, Goddess Kali, Saraswathi, and Garuda. Images of Lord Bhairav and Lord Narayana are found on the temple walls.
The temple complex includes numerous Shiva Lingas and a Kalpa Vriksha (wishing tree) in the outer courtyard.
Broken idols scattered around the temple testify to the existence of several more temples in ancient times.

Vaitarani Kund:

There is a Vaitarani Kund located around 200 meters from the temple. It is believed that the water in the Kund originates from Rudranath Temple.

Festivals

The main festivals associated with this temple are Mahashivaratri and Jalabhiseka Yatra from Vaitarani Kund to this temple. Thousands of devotees visit the temple on the occasion of Maha Shivrathri.