Baijnath Temple

The Baijnath temple located in the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh holds high religious importance amongst followers of Hinduism. It is a highly popular temple as it houses one of the 12 holy jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in the country and devotees from across the country throng the temple to offer prayers to the lord. The temple, constructed in 1207 AD by Lord Shiva devotees and local merchants Ahuka and Manyuka, is believed to have medicinal powers as the water emerging from the temple is believed to heal people from their illnesses.

The Baijnath temple redefines the Nagara style of architecture, which is highly popular in Himachal Pradesh. While the inner and outer walls of the temple boasts of exotic carving and sculptures depicting incidents of Hindu mythology, the inner sanctum houses the holy shivling. Surrounded by lush green gardens, the temple is destined to take your breath away as it overlooks the mighty snow-clad mountains while filling the air with spirituality.

The temple also offers its visitors a tranquil experience in the Dhauladhar mountain ranges of Himalayas. Be it a nature lover, adventure enthusiast or a history buff, the Baijnath temple and places around it have a lot to keep the visitors hooked in the mighty Himalayas. Visit the quaint temple, located 16 km from bustling Palampur, for a truly spiritual and raw sojourn in the mountains.

Tourists Attractions
Baijnath retains much of its original mountain beauty. The snow capped ranges of the Dhauladhars tower in the north. Closer to Baijnath, the scenery becomes mellow with line of hills together with velvety meadows. There is a profusion of ferns and wildflowers, which remain in full bloom from the spring, through the cool summer, until autumn.

The scenery is enhanced with the river Beas, the wandering shepherds, slate-roofed homesteads and watermills grinding grain. There are the forests of oak and cedar and the Indo-German Forestry Project. The tea gardens at Palampur and elsewhere add to the gentle, soothing beauty of the Kangra Valley.

Shrine - The temple of Baijnath is remarkable for its unique, highly imaginative design and skilled workmanship. However, it has undergone changes and many of its old features-planned by two gifted craftsmen from the town of Kangra-have disappeared during renovations. Inscriptions record that Navaka and Thoduka constructed the lofty temple of Shiva. They fashioned it in the shape of a mandapa. On it glitters the figures of the crowd or ganas (the people).

The shafts of the pillars are classically designed. Deities in stone, including the statues of Ganga and Yamuna, stand at the door of the temple. In a place on a wall can be seen the striking image of Surya-the Sun God-wearing a delicately laced jacket. Graceful balcony windows, ornamented foliage and carvings lend variety to the stately structure.

The lingam of Vaidyanath (Lord Shiva) resides inside. Many people travel to Baijnath in the hope that the Lord of Physicians will cure them of their ailments. The water at Baijnath is reputed to possess remarkable digestive properties and it is said that until recently the rulers of the Kangra Valley drank water only obtained from Baijnath.

Uttarakhand Monuments

The state of Uttarakhand attracts big crowds from almost every part of the country and outside. Both from historical and religious points of view, the state has a prominent place in the country. The state's rich history has been gifted with several monuments dispersed throughout. Past rulers like the Pandavas, Kauravas, Guptas and the British all erected monuments during their reigns. Today, Uttarakhand is visited in great number for its high number of monuments, which only increase the state's glory.

You'll see a huge number of historical as well as religious monuments across the state. Temples form an important part of the monumental treasure of the state. These religious monuments also feature some of the best temple architecture in India. Apart from Hindu temples, the state also features many Tibetan Buddhism monuments that are a must visit for travellers.

List of Uttarakhand Monuments
If you are a keen lover of monuments, the state of Uttarakhand welcomes you. Given below is a list of all the religious and historical monuments that you can plan to visit during your holidays in the state. If you want more details on these monuments or want to plan a tour, feel free to get in touch with our travel advisors who are waiting to hear from you.