Bagnath Temple Bageshwar
Bagnath Temple Bageshwar – Must Visit Ancient Temple in Uttarakhand
Devotees of Shiva must have heard of this magnificent temple in the holy city of Bageshwar. This temple has beautiful inscriptions and thousands of bells of all sizes. Bagnath Temple is situated at the confluence of Sarayu and Gomarti. The city gets its name from the name of the temple itself. It’s a famous place among Shiva’s devotees and other tourists.
Here’s a quick guide that will tell you everything you need to know about Bagnath Temple, Bageshwar. From the best time to the things you should do here, we’ve covered everything.
The history of Bagnath Temple
Talking about the history of this magnificent temple, the city was built in Nagara style by the Chandel ruler Lakshmi Chand in around 1415. The place where the sage Markandeya worshipped Shiva came to be known as Bagnath Temple. In a Hindu legend, Lord Shiva visited the temple to bless Markandeya in the form of a tiger.
Surprisingly, various statues dating back from the 7th-century a.d. to the 16th-century a.d. were found in the temple. Idols of Shiva, Ganesha, Vishnu, and many other Hindu lords have been found in this temple.
The archaeology department of Uttarakhand has sealed these items and inscriptions to prevent them from being damaged. After screening the inscriptions and statues in this temple, researchers and archaeologists concluded that period’s architectural style. These statues reveal the temple’s history.
Best time to visit Bagnath Temple
Although Hindus from India and the rest of the world visit the temple all year round, Shivratri is the festival during which the temple is flooded with Shiva devotees. On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, devotees attend the Uttrayani fair in January every year. Devotees take a bath before sunrise and offer Lord Shiva water.
According to the weather, March, April, and May are considered the best times to visit this temple, but if your journey includes other places, plan accordingly. If you visit Shivratri, it happens twice a year, and then the Uttrayani fair happens every January.
Things to do in Bagnath Temple
This temple is famous for festivals like the Uttarayani fair and Shivratri and religious practices like Trimaghi, where devotees take a bath before dawn and offer water to Lord Shiva inside the temple for 3 days continuously. The Trimaghi is a promising practice to worship the lord Shiva.
This temple is famous for pilgrimage, and tourists also come here for its scenic beauty. Nearby places you can visit on a trip to Bagnath temple are Bigul village, Gauri Udiyar cave, Kanda, Chandika Temple, Vijaypur, and Chandrika temple. If you want to extend your pilgrimage, you can visit the other temples.
Still, if you want to add some adventure to your trip, you can visit nearby places like Nainital and Bhimtal for various activities like boating and paragliding. If you want peace and serenity in your journey, stay a few days at Bigul village. The village is calm and offers a lot of scenic beauty. It’s perfect for people who want to relax and rejoice in the lap of nature.
How to reach Bagnath temple?
The temple is strategically located at the confluence, where it is easily accessible by tourists. Travelers can take a bus from their respective cities or a nearby metropolitan city. The bus will take you to nearby cities like Almora, Nainital, or Haldwani, where you can use the local transport available. Instead of the bus, you can come by train.
The nearest railway station is Kathgodam railway station. The Patna Nagar airport is the nearest airport to the Badrinath Temple. Taxis are easily available at affordable prices from the airport or railway station.
new helicopter services by Air Heritage connect Haldwani and Dehradun to Bageshwar, offering a fast and scenic travel option (subject to weather and availability).
Conclusion
Even if you’re not a devotee of Shiva, this temple should be on your must-visit list since it’s a mix of spirituality and scenic beauty. The confluence of the two rivers makes it even more special. Plan your stay and all the activities you want to do well in advance. There is a small local market as well in Bageshwar.
Some pilgrims prefer to stay in the village for a day or two to experience the culture and lifestyle of the people. Always plan and take the necessary precautions to make your journey safe. Bagnath Temple is perfect for people who want to experience serenity and spirituality while worshiping Lord Shiva. Come here for a wholesome experience loaded with spirituality.