Daksha Mahadev Temple

Daksha Mahadev Temple is a most prominent place of pilgrimage for Shaivaite, located in the town of Kankhal, Haridwar of Uttarakhand. This is very historic temple and connected with Lord Shiva and Goddess Sati. The Kankhal was the kingdom of the Raja Daksh and Sati his daughter. Daksha Mahadev Temple is located at the site where a grand Yajna was organised by the King Daksha in the past. Lord shiva and Devi Sati were not invited to this Yajna despite the fact that Lord Shiva was Daksha’s son-in-law. It was this place where Sati give up her life and Daksha’s was beheaded by Shiva’s gan. On regretting and repenting, Daksha’s was given back life. It’s a very well maintained Temple and very thin crowd.

The temple houses the Yagna Kund wherein Sati Mata burnt herself. Adjacent to the main temple on the right side is the Das Mahavidya temple of Kali, Tara, Shodashi, Bhuvaneshvari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi & Kamala. On the left of the main temple is the Daksha Ghat where devotees take a dip in the holy Ganga river. There are a few shops at the entrance of the premises which sell Rudraksh, Shivlings, gems & stones. The peace & serenity as well as the holiness of this place compels devotees to visit the temple each time. Daksha Mahadev Temple is about 6 kms from Har-Ki-Pauri and Kankhal is very close to Haridwar.

Places to Visit in Daksha Mahadev Temple
Just opposite to the yajnashala of temple there is an age old tree. Actually it's a combination of three different trees whose roots are intermingled in such a way that it is next to impossible to visualize them as a separate entity. Standing next to the main temple is the Das Mahavidya temple, dedicated to the Mahavidyas.

Things to do in Daksha Mahadev Temple
Devotees can see the holy Shiva idol installed in phallic form. This temple throngs with tourists in the month of August, which is also known as the holy month of Sawan. This month is also known as the month of Lord Shiva, according to the Hindu calendar. Special rituals are also performed here on the Shivratri, the marriage day of Shiva and Shakti.

Places to Visit near Daksha Mahadev Temple
There is an ashram called Shree Ma Anandamayi Ashram front of the temple and a parad shivling temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Shivling is made by mercury. The shivling is enshrined inside the Hari har Ashram, which is based in Kankhal. Sri yatra Temple, Maa Anandmay Ashram, Weighing around 150 kg, the shivling is visited by large number of devotees every year. Apart from this, the Rudraksha tree is the main attraction of this ashram.

How to Reach Daksha Mahadev Temple
Its only 05 km far from Haridwar station, 35 km from Rishikesh, 210 km from Delhi, 55 km from Dehradun, 30 km from Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun, 90 km from Mussoorie. You can go by the Rickshaw to the Temple.

Places to Visit in Haridwar

Haridwar is an ancient city and important Hindu pilgrimage site in North India's Uttarakhand state, where the River Ganges exits the Himalayan foothills. The largest of several sacred ghats (bathing steps), Har Ki Pauri hosts a nightly Ganga Aarti (river-worshipping ceremony) in which tiny flickering lamps are floated off the steps. Worshipers fill the city during major festivals including the annual Kanwar Mela.