Baijnath History

Baijnath is famous for its 13th Century temple dedicated to Shiva as Vaidyanathan, Lord of physicians. Kiragrama known originally as the city, on the road, Pathankot-Manali Chakki (National Road No. 20) almost midway between Kangra and Mandi. Baijnath The current name became popular after the name of the temple. The city is located on the left bank of the river, located a form of corruption of the old Binwa Binduka, a tributary of the River Beas.

The Baijnath temple has been continuously under worship since its construction in 1204 by two local dealers and Ahuk Manyuk name. The two long inscriptions in the porch of the temple show that the temple of Siva existed on the site is already built before the current was. The present temple is a fine example of medieval architecture of northern Indian temple as Nagara style of temple known. The shape of the Svayambhu Sivalinga is enshrined in the temple of five projections on each side and is surmounted by a curvilinear high Shikhara. The entrance to the shrine is through a lobby which has a large square in front mandapa with two balconies, each in a mass grave in the north and south. There is a small terrace in front of the room mandapa on four pillars in front of an idol of Nandi predecessor, the bull in a small shrine with pillars. The whole temple is surrounded by a high wall with entrances in the south and north. The outer walls of the temple have several niches with images of gods and goddesses. Many images are also fixed or carved on the walls. The door to the corridor, and the inner door to the temple is dotted with many images of great beauty and iconographic importance. Some of them are found very rarely.

The temple attracts many tourists and pilgrims from all over the surface of India and abroad throughout the year. Special prayers are offered morning and evening every day, in addition to special occasions and festive during the season. Makara Sankranti, Maha Shivaratri, Vaisakha Sankranti, Shravan Monday, etc are celebrated with great zeal and pomp. A state level function for five days here on Maha Shivratri every year.

The main attraction is an ancient Baijnath Shiva Temple. Palampur and Kangra neighboring cities. According to legend, is estimated that during the Treta Yug, Ravana to get invincible powers worshiped Lord Shiva in Kailash. havan In this process, the Almighty gave to him the ten counts of Kund. Influenced by the extraordinary writing Ravana, Lord Shiva not only head back, but the powers of invincibility and immortality.

To achieve this incomparable grace, even Lord Shiva asked Ravana to accompany him Lanka. Shiva granted the request of Ravana and becomes Shivling. Lord Shiva asked him to bring the Shivling, and told him he should not set the Shivling on the floor on his way. Ravana began to move south and reach Baijnath Lanka, where he felt the need to respond to the nature of the call. Seeing a pastor, and Ravana handed him Shivling went to the same subject obtained. Find Shivling very difficult, the minister Ling on the floor and started up there and even as Shivling Ardhnarishwar (God in the form of half man and half woman).

In the town of Baijnath, Dussehra festival is traditionally issued when the effigy of Ravana on the flame is not celebrated as a mark of respect to Ravana devotion to God Shiva. Another interesting thing about the town of Baijnath is that there is no jewelry store.

Another version adds that when Ravana was a descendant of the Himalayas, after years of worhip of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was an idol of Shiva in the form of a Shivling, what would arise Lanka, Sri Lanka presented today have blessed (Ravana) with invincible power, the gods. It is advisable that he can not Ravana Shivling time during a journey, even at rest.

Ravana was one of the Devas (gods tricked), who made a beggar and wanted to help celebrate Ravana Shivling and promised, if he (Ravana) in order to find food for the beggar. The Deva, who as a beggar on the Shivling on the ground, in the absence of Ravana. The idol of Shiva in the temple or Shivling Baijnath is the same as Shivling was from Deva was then placed Ravana.