Dandeshwar Temple

Dandeshwar Temple

Dandeshwar Temple is located in Jageshwar in Almora district of Uttarakhand.Word Dandeshwar is formed by of two words, ‘Dand’ means Staff and ‘Eshwar’ means The God. It means the God Lord Shiv himself resides in the temple with a staff and keep a guard over this region.

Dandeshwar Temple is one of the biggest and tallest temples of the Kumayun region probably built in between 9th and 10th century AD by the Katyuri rulers. As written on information rock board outside the temple, the temple complex is consisting of a cluster of 14 subsidiary shrines. The temple is facing east direction and dedicated to Lord Shiv with highly pronounced Sukanasa which crowns a small portico on the plan. The Santum is square devoid of any Ratha projection while the Shikara (spire) of the temple is different with other Nagar style temples of the region.

According to legends, Shiva selected this place to be his abode. During the Tapasya by Shiva, demons obstructed his penance. Then God “Sam” came into being as Trinetra and sent his followers to kill the demons. It is believed that Sam will come to Kotlinga temple premises to save humanity and Jageshwar in Kalyuga. Adi Shankacharya tried to build the main temple at Kotlinga but Sam wanted Kotlinga to be specifically reserved for the meditation of Shiva. Old ruins of a temple structure can be found there. Local people still believe that Sam or Lakulisha, the Lord with a stick shall come and build the real Jageshwar temple near Kotlinga and thus save the mankind from adversities of Kalyuga.

It is believed that Guru Adi Shankaracharya visited Jageshwar and renovated many temples before he left for Kedarnath.

The temple attracts a large number of devotees, especially during the auspicious occasion of Shivaratri when special prayers and rituals are conducted. Other festivals like Navratri and Mahashivratri are also celebrated with great enthusiasm.