New Delhi, August 27: The sacred land of Uttarakhand is rich with temples and their associated mythological tales. One such revered and mysterious site is the Bairaskund Mahadev Temple, located in Chamoli district. This temple is situated approximately 20 kilometers from the confluence of the Alaknanda and Nandakini rivers at Nandprayag.
Nestled in nature, this temple is not just a religious site but a remarkable blend of faith, history, and natural beauty. Every devotee who visits experiences tranquility and the blessings of Lord Shiva. Highlighting the temple’s grandeur, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami shared a special video on the social media platform X, stating, “The Bairaskund Mahadev Temple in Chamoli district is an ancient and famous shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that Ravana, the king of Lanka, performed intense penance here to please Lord Shiva. This sacred place is also mentioned in the Skanda Purana. Be sure to visit for divine darshan when in Chamoli.”
The Bairaskund Mahadev Temple, located in the Ghat development block (Dasholi Garh) of Chamoli district, is an extremely ancient and mythological site dedicated to Lord Shiva. In front of the temple lies a sacred pond, where devotees perform water abhishekam to worship Lord Mahadev.
According to ancient beliefs, this is the very site where Ravana, the king of Lanka, meditated for thousands of years to please Lord Shiva. It is said that during his penance, Ravana offered his nine (or ten) heads at this location, after which Lord Shiva granted him darshan. This event is why the region is also named ‘Dasholi.’
Nearby the temple, one can still find Ravana’s large havan kund and the ‘Ravana Shila,’ which is said to bear the imprints of Ravana’s fingers. Here, alongside the self-manifested Shivling of Lord Shiva, Ravana is also worshipped. The historical description of this area and temple can be found in the Skanda Purana, specifically in the Kedar Khand as ‘Dash Maleshwar.’
During the months of Phagun and Shravan, the temple attracts a large number of devotees. On these occasions, the temple committee organizes grand fairs and religious rituals. In the sanctum sanctorum, Nandi Maharaj is seated alongside Lord Shiva. Additionally, ancient idols of Goddess Durga, Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman, and Shani Dev are also established in the temple complex.
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By NS/DKP
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