Top 10 Historical Temples with Amazing Architecture in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand is known for its divinity that encapsulates the essence of spiritual tourism in its true sense. From temples of mythological importance to historical value, the state has it all. Many great historians and archaeologists often throng the Himalayan state to find out what lies in the nexus of the Himalayas. To learn about such temples you can sink in the info of the 10 historical temples of Uttarakhand having amazing architecture.
Following is the list of famous Uttarakhand historical temples with some great architecture
1. Kedarnath Temple
One of the most popular Shaivism sites in Uttarakhand, the Kedarnath temple perched high at 3,583 meters is located about 223 km from Rishikesh. Nestled on the shore of Mandakini River, the Kedarnath temple is believed to be built by Guru Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE. The temple boasts an impressive stone architecture having a Garbhagriha and Mandapa. Here Lord Shiva is manifested in the form of a Jyotirlinga or the cosmic light. The temple is believed to be 1000 years old and is built of massive stone slabs fitted over a large rectangular platform. One also can see a large statue of Nandi guarding the temple against the outside.
2. Tungnath Temple
The highest Shiva temple in the world, Tungnath is a marvel in architecture. This sacred temple is believed to be 1000 years old and was discovered by Guru Adi Shankaracharya. The temple boasts a North Indian temple architecture that is similar to the temples situated at Guptkashi, Kedarnath, and Madhyamaheshwar. A stone image of Nandi is erected outside and to the right of the temple entrance, there is a deific image of Lord Ganesha.
3. Baleshwar Temple Champawat
An example of artistic excellence, the Baleshwar temple in Champawat is dedicated to the "Destroyer" Lord Shiva. History suggests that the Baleshwar temple was built by the early kings of the Chand Dynasty. The temple boasts a South Indian architecture with intricate stone carvings done on the ceilings. This stone temple is listed as a National Heritage Monument by the Indian Government and is currently maintained by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) from the year 1952.
4. Katarmal Sun Temple
Dedicated to Lord Burhadita or Vriddhaditya (the old Sun God), Katarmal Sun Temple is a 9th-century temple built by Katarmalla, a Katyuri King. Situated at a distance of 19 km from Almora, the Katarmal Surya Temple features exquisite wood carvings done on the doors and panels of the temple. The temple building faces the east in such a way that the first rays of the sun fall on the Shiva lingam enshrined at the temple. This sacred temple is hailed as the second most beautiful shrine in India, after the Konark Sun Temple.
5. Mahasu Devta temple
Built-in the 9th century, the Mahadu Devta temple is dedicated to Lord Mahasu, the “God of Justice” also revered as the principal deity of the area. Idyllically situated on the Tuini-Mori road at Hanol, the Mahasu Devta Temple is constructed in the Huna architectural style but over the ages, it has adopted a mixed style. The Archaeological Survey of India has included Mahasu Devta Temple in the list of the ancient temple in the Dehradun circle.
6. Lakhamandal
Locally famous as 'Lakeswara', Lakhamandal is a Hindu Temple complex built between the 12th-13th century in the Jaunsar-Bawar region of Dehradun district. The temple boasts Nagara style of architecture and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This ancient Hindu temple is quite popular among the Shakti cult. Many artistic remains of the ancient times have been excavated from the Lakhamandal complex by the Archaeological Survey of India. The star attraction of Lakhamandal is the graphite lingam that emancipates cosmic energy.
7. Triyuginarayan Temple
Triyuginarayan temple is famous as the spot where Lord Shiva got married to Goddess Parvati. It is located 5 kms (off road) from Sonprayag and one can visit here during their travel to Kedarnath Dham or during Char Dham Yatra.
8. Baijnath Temple, Bageshwar
Tucked at an altitude of 1,126 meters is the celestial Baijnath temple dedicated to Lord Vaidyanatha (Shiva as the Lord of Physicians). Cradled on the banks of the Gomti river in the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand, the Baijnath temple is said to be built by the Katyuri Kings of Kumaon in around 1150 AD. The temple has marvelous architecture and houses a stone effigy of Goddess Parvati chiseled in black stone.
9. Devalgarh
The tiny hamlet of Devalgarh snuggled peacefully in the Pauri district houses several temples, having utmost religious significance in the lives of the people. Founded by King Deval of Kangra, Devalgarh town was once the capital of Garhwal Kingdom under the reign of Ajay Pal in the 16th century AD. Owing to its regal past, the town has several monumental temples that are a mirage of the glorious period especially the Laxmi Narayan Temple, Gauri Devi Temple, and Raj Rajeshwari temple, showcasing the traditional Garhwali architecture. At present many historical temples of Devalgarh are under the Archaeological Survey of India.
10. Jageshwar
The temple city of Jageshwar in Almora district of Uttarakhand is famous for its cluster of 124 large and small stone temples that date back to the 9th-13th century AD. Many of these temples are preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India including Dandeshwar Temple, Chandi-ka-temple, Jageshwar Temple, Kuber Temple, Mritunjaya Temple, Nanda Devi, Nava-grah temple, a Pyramidal shrine, and Surya Temple. Most of these temples at Jageshwar Dham enshrine stone lingams.
Other temples in Uttarakhand which are getting popular. Katarmal Sun Temple, Madmaheshwar, Nag Devta Temple, Omkareshwar Temple, Naina Devi Temple, Pandukeshwar.
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