Dehradun, August 5: The picturesque state of Uttarakhand captivates visitors with its natural beauty and ancient temples. Among these is the Lakhamandal Shiva Temple, located along the banks of the Yamuna River in the Jaunsar-Bawar region of Dehradun. This ancient and mysterious temple is steeped in mythological history. Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, recently shared a video of the temple on social media platform ‘X’, highlighting its significance.
He wrote, “The ancient Shiva Temple in Lakhamandal, Dehradun, is a major center of faith for countless devotees. Nestled amidst towering mountains and stunning natural beauty, this temple is also renowned for its unique architecture. It is believed that numerous Shiva Lingas were established on this sacred land in ancient times. Visitors are encouraged to experience the divine presence of this temple during the holy month of Shravan.”
The temple is said to connect to the history of the Mahabharata. Legend has it that during the Pandavas’ period of exile, Yudhishthira established a Shiva Linga in the courtyard of the Laksheshwar Temple, which still exists today. In front of this Linga stand two statues of gatekeepers facing west, one of which has a severed hand. The Laksheshwar Temple, dedicated to Shiva, is a Nagar-style temple built in the 12th to 13th centuries.
Inside the temple, one can also find the footprints of Goddess Parvati. It is believed that if a deceased body is placed in front of the gatekeepers and the temple priest sprinkles holy water on it, the person may briefly come back to life. However, upon consuming Ganga water, the soul departs once again. The mystery surrounding this belief remains unsolved.
The area around the temple is dotted with hundreds of stone Shiva Lingas. It is also said that after water is offered, the Shiva Lingas begin to shine like glass.
According to tradition, this very location was where the Kauravas constructed the Lakshagriha (House of Lac) to burn the Pandavas and their mother Kunti alive. It is believed that the historical cave through which the Pandavas escaped still exists in Lakhamandal. After their escape, the Pandavas spent a month in ‘Chakranagari’, now known as Chakrata. In addition to Lakhamandal, archaeological excavations in Hanol, Thaina, and Maindrath have uncovered ancient Shiva Lingas and idols, further supporting the notion that this region was once inhabited by the Pandavas.
Leave a Comment