Tapkeshwar Temple

Tapkeshwar Temple
Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple, Dehradun
Hanuman Idol
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictDehradun
DeityShiva
Location
LocationDehradun
StateUttarakhand
CountryIndia
Architecture
TypeHindu temple architecture

30°21′26″N 78°01′00″E / 30.3572724°N 78.0166768°E / 30.3572724; 78.0166768 Tapkeshwar Temple, also known as Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple, is a temple in Dehradun dedicated to Shiva. The temple is on the bank of the Tons River, built on top of a natural cave, which holds the temple's main shivalinga.[1][2]

History

The Tapkeshwar Temple is believed to be 6,000 years old.[3] It has a natural shivalinga in the cave, which became a place of reverence for the local people.

It is also believed that this was used as a residence by Dronacharya, the teacher of the Pandavas and Kauravas in the Hindu epic Mahabharata; the cave is called Drona Cave after him.[2][4] Dronacharya's wife Kalyani was unable to breastfeed their newborn son Ashwatthama.[3] As Dronacharya was unable to afford a cow or cow's milk, Ashwatthama prayed to Shiva, who then fed him milk dripping from the shivalinga in the cave.[3]

Operations

The temple is popular as both a tourist destination and a pilgrimage site in Dehradun. Pilgrims bathe in the nearby sulphur-water springs before entering the temple.[3]

Drona Cave, surrounded by hills, is a popular site for picnickers from Dehradun and nearby districts.[2]

Events

Mahashivratri fair is held in Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple. On this day, Shiva devotees come here from far and wide. On the day of Mahashivratri, the temple is decorated with lighting and flowers. Mahaprasad is organized for the devotees visiting here by the temple trust. On this auspicious occasion, the form of Mahadev "Aghori" is also seen here. Who come from Kedarnath and Badrinath. Apart from Mahashivratri, devotees also visit this temple for darshan in the month of Shravan. This temple is open every day from 6 am to 7 pm, but in Shravan the temple is kept open day and night, so that all the devotees can get darshan of Mahadev ji.

The temple hold a large festival on Shivratri.[4][3][5][6] The temple committee organizes free meals for the devotees.[3]

Every year on Holi, a local theater group, Hamari Pehchan, begins their holiday performance at the temple.[7]

References

  1. ^ "In pics: Cloudburst in Dehradun, water enters caves of Tapkeshwar temple". Hindustan Times. 20 August 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Kumar, Manoj (16 March 2021). "Geology and religious faith: Tapkeshwar temple in Dehradun, Uttarakhand". Times of India Blog. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT TAPKESHWAR TEMPLE DEHRADUN". The Dehradun Daily. 25 December 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Spend some time in Dehradun, Uttarakhand". femina.in. 29 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Maha Shivratri celebrated across Uttarakhand". Archived from the original on 17 October 2015.
  6. ^ Haldankar, Sachin (5 March 2019). "Photos Capture The Vibrant Celebrations Of Shivratri 2019". News18. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  7. ^ "Uttarakhand cultural theatre group present traditional Holi performance". ANI News. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2023.