Jageshwar (Alt.: 1870 M) is a town of Hindu pilgrimage in Almora district, located 36 km north-east of Almora, in Kumaun region. The temple city dedicated to Lord Shiva, comprises a cluster of 124 large and small stone temples of 9th to 13th century AD. Many of these temples such as Dandeshwar Temple, Chandi-ka-Temple, Jageshwar Temple, Kuber Temple, Mrityunjaya Temple, Nanda Devi or Nau Durga, Nava-grah temple, a Pyramidal shrine, and Surya Temple are preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Amongst these temples, the oldest shrine is the 'Mrityunjaya Temple' and the biggest shrine is the ' Dandeshwar Temple'.
In the Jataganga river valley, two streams Nandini and Surabhi flow down the hills in the narrow valley and meet near this sacred spot of Jageshwar.
The 'Jageshwar Monsoon Festival', held between 15 July to 15 August i.e during the Hindu calendar month of Shravan and the annual 'Maha Shivratri Mela' (Shivratri festival) takes place during spring.

The town folk believe that Jageshwar is the place of Nagesh among the forest of Deodar, 8th among the Dwadasa Jyotirlingas i.e. the twelve resplendent lingas of Lord Shiva established by Lord Vishnu.
The twelve Jyotirlingas are-

1. Somnath at Prabhas Patan, Saurashtra, Gujarat.
2. Sri Mallikarjun in Srisailam, near Kurnool,Andhra Pradesh, on the banks of river Krishna.Adi Sankaracharya composed his Sivanandalahiri here.
3. Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain (Avanti), Madhya Pradesh.
4. Omkareshwar in Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh, this Jyotirlinga is situated on an island in the course of the river Narmada.
5. Vaidyanath temple at Deogarh,Santal Parganas area of Bihar.
6. Bhimashankar in Dakini and located in the Sahyadri hills,near Pune, Maharashtra.
7. Ramalingeswarar in Setubandanam , Tamil Nadu.This is situated on vast temple island of Rameswaram.It is the southernmost of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of India.
8. One possible location is Nageshwar in Darukavanam, near Dwarka in Gujarat. However, many strongly believe it is in Jageshwar.
9. Vishwanath in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
10. Tryambakeswar Jyotirlinga shrine is intimately linked with the origin of the river Godavari near Nasik, Maharashtra.
11. Kedareswar in Kedarnath in Himalayas,Uttarakhand.
12. Ghrishneshwar in Devasrovar,near Ellora,Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

History:
The ancient treatise of  Prasadmandanam describe this place as an abode of Lord Shiva.
According to the ASI, the temples belong to the post-Gupta and pre-medieval eras and are estimated to be about 2500 yrs old. These temples range in the period from the 8th century (early Katyuri Dynasty to the 18th century (Chand Dynasty). The temples were renovated during the reign of Katyuri King Shalivahandev. There is an inscription of Malla Kings on the main temple premises indicating their devotion to Jageshwar.
It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya visited Jageshwar and re-established many temples before leaving for Kedarnath. The Samsan ghat of Jageshwar is also the cremation ground of the Chand Kings. The temples architecture belong to the Nagara style, characterized by a tall curved spire surmounted by an amalaka (capstone) and a kalasha crown. Most of the temples enshrine a stone lingam, surrounded by stone scultptures of various deities. The pilgrimage to Jageshwar was considered as sacred as the famous chardham yatra.
In earlier days the  pilgrims use to pass through Jageshwar en route  to  Kailash  and Mansarovar.

Inscriptions

Over 25 inscriptions belonging to the period between the 7th and 10th century AD, are found on the walls and pillars of the Jageshwar temples. The languages used there are in Sanskrit and Brahmi language. These are studied by D.C. Sarkar in Epigraphica indica.
The main temple in the temple complex at 'Jageshwar Mahadev' is dedicated to ‘Bal Jageshwar’ or the Child Shiva. Vridh Jageshwar temple, or Old Shiva temple is situated on the higher slopes. According to tradition, Lord Shiva came to meditate here. When the women of the village came to know, they immediately left their household chores to have glimpse. The men of the village became infuriated and came to see the sadhu who has captivated their woman. Seeing the commotion, Lord Shiva took the form of a child. So, Lord Shiva is still worshipped in his child form there.

Jageshwar Mahadev Temple

Tarun Jageshwar is one of the principal temples situated in the temple complex. It has two dwarapalas (door guardians): Nandi and Skandi. This is a west facing temple of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of Nagesh/Jageshwar. In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, the Shivlinga is divided into two parts. The larger one depicts Shiva and smaller one his consort Parvati. An Akhand Jyoti (an immortal flame) burns in the temple. The statues of Chand Kings Deepchand and Tripalchand made of  Asthadhatu (alloy of 8 metals) in the standing posture behind the Shivlinga are found in the temple.

Sri Mahamritunjaya Mahadev Temple

The Mahamrityunjay temple is the largest and oldest temple in the Jageshwar temple complex. This temple of Shiva is eastern facing and the Linga is worshipped as the saviour from death. The unique linga has an eye shaped opening. Pilgrims believe that reciting the Mahamritunjaya Mantra is a fruitful, auspicious and powerful method of self realisation, removal of evil effects, and freedom from all kinds of fears, illness and negativity. The Mahamritunjaya Mantra is attested in the Sukla Yajurveda Samhita.

Dandeshwar Shiv Temple Complex

The Dandeshwar temple is now in a dilapidated condition. It is situated slightly upstream from the Jageshwar temple complex. The stone lingam is a natural rock and not carved.

Vinayak Kshetra

This place is 200 M from Artola village, the place from where temples of Jageshwar starts. It is called Mokshyadham temple.

Jhanker Saim Mahadev temple is situated south of Jageshwar temple. Legend has it that during the Tapasya by Lord Shiva, Demons obstruct his penance. Then God Jhanker Saim come into being as Trinetra and killed the demons.

Sri Briddha or Bud Jageshwar temple is situated 3 KM north of Jageshwar temple and situated at the top of the hill.

Pushti Devi or Pushti Bhagawati Maa Temple enshrines the full murti of Goddesses. This temple is situated in the Jageshwar main premises.

Other places of tourist’s interest:

1. The river that flows through the town, Jata Ganga
2. A cave, Airavat Gufa
3. Brahma Kund
4. Other temples such as Sri KuberTemple and the Batuk Bhairav Temple.
5. The temple of Golu Devata at Chitai.
6. Patal Bhuvaneshwar Caves

Archaeological Museum
The Archeological Museum of ASI houses idols and statuettes removed from Jageshwar shrine dating 9th to 13th century AD.
How to reach:
The nearest rail head is Kathgodam 125 km. The all weather roads with regular bus & taxi services link Jageshwar with Almora (35 km),  Haldwani (131 km.),  Pithoragarh  (88 km) and Kathgodam.

Accommodation facilities:

The advance booking can be made directly or through www.arraytours.com. Please call +91 9433001192, (Phone) +91 33 24427635. The above data are indicative as provided by the respective hotel or collected from various sources. The author is not responsible for any difference with the actual.

Last Updated on Sunday, 21 March 2010 17:51