Solan Jatoli Shiva Temple- Himachal Pradesh

Address

Solan Jatoli Shiva Temple- Village Jatoli, Temple Road, Rajgarh Rd, PO, Shamti, Himachal Pradesh 173212

Diety

Shiva Amman: Parvati

Introduction

The famous Jatoli temple is located in a village Jatoli, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The distance from Solan to Jatoli temple is around 8 kilometers. Jatoli temple in Solan is also popular for being the highest Shiv temple in Asia. The temple attracts many devotees and pilgrimage from all over the country and believed to be a resting place for Lord Shiva. The grand temple of Lord Shiva is perched on the scenic hilltop of Solan. The temple gets its name from ‘Jata’ (Tresses), which further signifies the long Jatas of Lord Shiva. The temple is located 8 Km form Solan on Rajgarh road. It is one of the oldest temples of Lord Shiva with an ancient lingam. There are many stories and legends associated with this temple one of it says that Lord Shiva visited this place and stayed for a night.

Puranic Significance

Mountains and this pagoda of Jatoli, has been given the status of the highest Shivalak in Asia, grand and spectacular temple, perched on a hill top then Jatoli Shiv temple is the place to be. Jatoli gets its name from the long Jata (hair) that Lord Shiva has. Multiple fables and stories are associated with the history of Jatoli Shiv Temple. It is one of the oldest temples of Lord Shiv where an ancient linga is the also placed since a long time. It is believed that the temple was once the resting place of Lord Shiva. The temple is made in typical Southern-Dravidian style architecture and is made of three consecutive pyramids. On the first pyramid, one can see the image of Lord Ganesha while on second pyramid there is a sculpture of Shesh Naag. Jatoli Shiv Temple holds the tag of being the highest temple in Asia; it took 39 years to complete the construction of the temple. On the northeast corner of the temple, there is a water tank called ‘Jal Kund’ which is considered as pious as the holy river Ganga. The water of this tank is said to have some medicinal qualities that can treat skin diseases. There is a cave inside the temple where Swami Krishnananda Paramhans Ji resided. This ancient temple is famous for its annual fair, which is conducted during the festival of Mahashivratri. A number of devotees gather in the temple to offer prayers. It was opened for darshan in 2013, since that day the temple has got a different identity not only in the country but in the world. Jatoli temple was started in 1946 i.e. before independence, when Sri Sri 1008 Swami Krishna Nand Paramhans Maharaj came here to visit from Pakistan. Paramhans Maharaj found this place better for penance in the forest. He used to meditate sitting at the place of the pool throughout the day and go to the cave at night and sleep. The shepherds once stayed for rest where their huts now exist. After some time, he put a red flag here and dhuna nearby. When people came to know about this, they started reaching there. According to legend, by worshiping Lord Shiva, Maharaja Paramhans had the divine power to prophesy. Realizing the scarcity of water in the area, he did penance for water in the area and after a few days an unbroken stream of water started flowing there. This stream is still there.

Beliefs

It is believed that many people have now started accepting the Char Dham after visiting them. The water tank which Swami Paramhans has prepared with the strength of his tenacity, in which people now have great faith. People consider its water to be miraculous, capable of curing any kind of disease. It is believed that a person who regularly visits the temple on seven Sundays gets his wishes fulfilled.

Special Features

This temple is considered to be the tallest not only in India but in Asia. Its height is about 124 feet. Swami Krishnanand Paramhans had predicted during his penance here that the name of Himachal would be famous not only in the country but also in the world due to the temple being built here. Shiva, Parvati, Ganesh, Kartikeya are seated in the sanctum sanctorum of the highest temple in Asia. This tallest pagoda built right in front of the cave is even more important because the world’s different Shivling has been established here. This Shivling is made of Sphatik Mani stone. Sphatik beads are considered a symbol of positive energy. This stone first attracts the rays of the sun towards itself and gives them positive energy blessings back to the devotees around them. Here at sunrise, sitting near the idol gives a different feeling. Thousands of devotees have now accepted Jatoli temple as their Char Dham.