BAGESHWAR TEMPLES

Temples

BAGNATH TEMPLE

At the junction of the rivers, Gomti and Saryu stands a large temple with it's conical tower. Here is the shrine of Bageswar or Vyagreswar, the, "Tiger Lord", an epithet of Lord Siva. This temple was erected by the Kumaun king, Laxmi Chand, about 1450 A.D., but there is an interesting Sanskrit inscription there of a far earlier date. Th temple is flooded with devotees on the annual occasion of Shivratri. This place has a cluster of temples. Prominent amoug these temples are the Bairav temple, Dattatrey Maharaj, Ganga Mai temple, Hanuman temple, Durga temple, Kalika temple, Thingal Bhirav temple, Panchnam Junakhara and the Vaneshwar temple.

BAIJNATH

The temples at Baijnath proper are situated on the left bank of the Gomti. On the way to the main temple, just below the house the Mahanta, is the temple of Bamani (A corrupt form of Sanskrit Brahmani). Tradition of the place says that it was built by Brahmin widon and was dedicated by her to God Shiva. Another story states that a Brahmin woman who was kidnapped by a Kshatriya built. The temple in favour of Shiva for the expiation of her sins. There is an idol of Shiva inside the temple. It has no inscriptions. The construction of the temple does not differ from that of the Tailihata group, so it may also be said to belong the same period. The main temple, dedicated to Baijnath or Vaidhyanatha (a name of Shiva), which gives its name to the present village is situated near the Gomti. The temple is approacehed from the riverside by a flight of steps made of stones constructed by the orders of Katyuri queen. The place was and is a bathing place of the inhabitants who have now made a Kachha pond near the temple. Baijnath is 19 KMs away from Kausani and 26 kms from Bageshwer. One it used to be the capital of the Katyuri dynasty of kings and the place was then called Kartikyapura.

CHANDIKA TEMPLE

A beautiful temple dedicated to Goddess Chandika stands at a distance of about half a ilometre from Bageshwar. Every year, the temple bustles with activity as the devout congregate here to offer pujas to the deity during the Navratras.

SRIHARU TEMPLE

Another important temple, the Sriharu temple, is situated at a distance of about 5 kms. from Bageshwer. The devotees believe that prayers for wish fulfilment here never go in vein. Every year, a large fair is organised on the Vijya Dashmi day following the Navratras.

GAURI UDIYAR

This is sitiated 8 kms from Bageshwer. A large cave, measuring 20 X 95 sq mts is situated here, which houses the idols of Lord Shiva.

OTHER TEMPLES NEAR BAGESHWER

RAMGHAT TEMPLE AGNIKUND TEMPLE
RAMJI TEMPLE LOKNATH ASHRAM
NILESHWER MAHADEV ASHRAM OF AMITJI
KUKUDAMAI TEMPLE JWALADEVI TEMPLE
SITLADEVI TEMPLE VENIMAHADEV TEMPLE
TRIJUGINARAYAN TEMPLE RADHAKRISHNA TEMPLE
HANUMAN TEMPLE BHILESHWER DHAM
NILESHWER DHAM SURAJ KUND
SWARGASHRAM SIDDHARTH DHAM
GOPESHWER DHAM GOLU TEMPLE
PRAKTISHWAR MAHADEV