Baijnath Temple

Baijnath Temple is one of most famous temples of Lord Shiva in Himachal Pradesh. Baijnath temple is located at a distance of 16 kms from Palampur in the Beas valley,  The Baijnath temple was originally named as Kirangama and the name was changed to Baijnath after the temple was dedicated to Lord Shiva. Apart from the main deity lord Shiva this temple has the images of Goddess Chamunda, Surya Dev (the Sun God), Lord Kartikeya (son of Lord Shiva) and a big structure of Lord Nandi (Carrier of Lord Shiva) in front of the Temple. One of the 12 Jyotirlingas are also located in the sanctum of this Baijnath temple. The temple is imensley popular and people believe that Lord Shiva will free them from all kinds of ailments and diseases. A very interesting and spiritual fact of the temple lies in its water, as the water of the temple premises is considered to have curative and medicinal properties. Due to such spiritual and auspicious reasons, the temple draws large number of devotees every year. The ‘Shivratri’ festival is celebrated during the month of March and tourists come to this place to get blessings of Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva is placed in the form of 'Lingam' in the temple . The main sanctum comprises five projections on every side and a tall curved shikhar (spire). The history of Baijnath temple is inscribed on the stone slabs inside the complex. As per the beliefs, Ravana (King of Lanka) had worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple.
In the early 20th century, the temple suffered from an earthquake and the then Raja Sansar Chand made an effort to renovate the temple after the calamity. The temple complex acquired lush green gardens, which makes a perfect foreground to the ancient and unique structure of this temple. Baijnath temple is considered as a part of Indian Heritage, so security arrangements are made here to avoid any unwanted element.
Baijnath temple is constructed according to the Nagri style of architecture. The roof of the temple is in the shape of pyramid with 2.5 sq meters from inside and almost covering the area of 5.5 sq meters from outside the temple premises. The conical shaped dome (Mandap) of the temple gets support from the four artistic big pillars. The temple is a unique example of Kangra architect.

History of Baijnath Temple 

According to the inscriptions on the walls of the Temple, the Baijnath Mandir was built by the two native merchants by the name of Ahuka and Manyuka in 1204 A.D. In the porch of the temple, the two long inscriptions give the evidence that before the present temple, there was a shrine of Lord Shiva at the same spot. The present temple of Baijnath is the beautiful example of the early medieval north Indian temple architecture known as Nagara style of temples. The Svayambhu form of Sivalinga is present in the sanctum of the temple and it has five projections on each side and is surmounted with a tall curvilinear of the Shikhara. The entrance to sanctum is from the vestibule that has a large square Mandapa in front with two massive balconies one each in north and south.

There is a small porch in front of that mandapa hall that rests on four pillars in the front preceded by an idol of Nandi, the bull, in a small pillared shrine. The whole temple is enclosed by a high wall with entrances in the south and north while the outer walls of the temple have several niches with images of gods and goddesses. Numerous images are also fixed or carved in the walls. The outer doorway in the porch as also the inner doorway leading to the sanctum of the temple are also studded with a large number of images of great beauty and iconographic importance. Some of them are very rare to be found elsewhere.

Legend of Baijnath Temple

According to Hindu Mythology, Ravana the demon worshipped Lord Shiva in the Himalyas and to please him Ravan offered his heads in the fire of havan. Lord Shiva was pleased and asked Ravana for a wish. Ravana the great demon wanted to be invincible and immortal and also asked Shiva to accompany him to Lanka. Shiva agreed for it and became Ling and asked Ravana to carry him. Shiva also said that he should keep the Ling on the ground during his journey to Lanka. However on the way Ravana had to answer the nature’s call so he handed over the Ling to one shepherd who could not hold it for long and kept it on the ground. Hence the Shiva Linga was established here in Baijnath. Since it was Ravana who brought Shiva Linga to Baijnath, the people here do not burn effigy of Ravana during Dussehra fesival.