Mumbai, August 21: The ancient and renowned Bagnath Temple, located at the confluence of the Saryu and Gomti rivers in Bageshwar, Uttarakhand, has emerged as a significant center of faith during the holy month of Sawan. The temple’s unique architecture and tranquil spiritual environment attract numerous devotees.
On Friday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami shared insights about the temple via the social media platform X. He emphasized the importance of visiting the temple, stating in a video post, “The Shri Bagnath Temple, situated near the sacred confluence of the Saryu and Gomti rivers, is an ancient and divine abode dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. The holy month of Sawan holds special significance for visiting and worshipping here. Be sure to visit this sacred temple when you arrive in Bageshwar.”
According to local beliefs, it is said that Lord Shiva took the form of a ‘Bagh’ (tiger) at this holy site to bless Sage Vashistha, which is how the temple got its name ‘Bagnath.’ Here, Lord Shiva is revered as ‘Vyagreshwar’ (the tiger form).
The temple was constructed around 1450 CE by the Kumaon King Lakshmi Chand, although an inscription indicates an earlier date. The site draws large crowds of devotees during the annual Shivratri festival. It features a group of temples, including the Bhairav Temple, Dattatreya Maharaj, Ganga Mai Temple, Hanuman Temple, Durga Temple, Kalika Temple, Thingal Bhairav Temple, Panchnam Junakhara, and Vaneshwar Temple.
This temple is one of the few south-facing Shiva temples in Uttarakhand, with religious significance believed to date back to the 7th century. The current stone temple, built in the Nagara style, was constructed or renovated by King Lakshmi Chand of the Chand dynasty between 1450 and 1602 CE. The temple complex houses several rare sculptures and historical inscriptions from the 8th to 10th centuries.
It is believed that Lord Shiva and Parvati are present here in their self-manifested forms.
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