Daksh prajapati Temple — Attraction in Uttarakhand

Daksha Mahadev or Daksheshwar Mahadev temple, one of the prime attraction of Haridwar is located in Kankhal at just 6 km from Har ki Pauri, Haridwar, Gateway to the God in state of Uttarakhand. Daksh Mahadev temple is one of the most ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and holds high spiritual importance for its history. This temple is must visit place of Haridwar and any pilgrimage tour of Haridwar cannot be completed without the visit here. Daksha Mahadev temple is named after the king Daksh Prajapati, Son of Lord Brahma, one of the fourteen Prajapati and the father of Sati. This is the place where King Daksha Prajapati performed the Yajna and Sati self-immolated herself in the yagna kund. This temple was initially constructed in 1810 by Queen Dhankaur and the rebuilt in 1962.

Within the temple premise, there is Yajna Kund in one part where goddess Sati burnt herself and in other part Shivlinga is installed, also you can see the thousand year old Banyan tree here. The Daksha ghat on the left side of the main temple where devotee can perform rituals and also takes holy dip in river Ganga. Beside this, ancient temple of goddess Ganga is also located. In the right side of main temple, Das Mahavidya temple dedicated to Kali, Tara, Shodashi, Bhuvaneshvari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi and Kamala is located. Right Behind the Daksheshwar Mahadev, there is small temple dedicated to Sheetala Mata. Generally, Sheetala Mata is believed as the goddess of infectious diseases like smallpox and chicken pox. It is also said that this is the birth place of Goddess Sati. Beside this, there is ancient Sanskirt Pathshala but now it’s not in operation but you can perform several rituals with help of expert Shastriji in Sanskrit here. There is small temple called Brhameshwar Mahadevji is located beside the Das Mahavidhya Temple where it Lord Brahma worshipped Lord Shiva. As per the holy text of Sanatan Dharma, Daksha Mahadev temple is the place where Daksh Prajapati had organized a very popular and giant yajna here in Kankhal. As per the description, Jagdamba the supreme Shakti took birth as daughter of Daksh Prajapati who had his kingdom at Kankhal. She was named as Sati, she performed hard penance to please Lord Shiva to wed her. At last, the Lord Shiva agree to marry her. After their marriage, King Daksh did not respect lord Shiva. Daksh Prajapati had invited all the god and sages in Yagna but ignored the Lord Shiva to insult him. Though without invitation Sati had visited during Yagya but King Daksha had insulted the Lord Shiva in presence of all the gods. Sati could not tolerate the insult of her husband lord Shiva and she consigned herself to the flames of the yajna As the disastrous news reached Lord Shiva, he sent Veerbhadra, the great warriors and horrible form to Kanakhal. Verbhadra had cut down the head of King Daksh and disrupted the entire yagya. Then on the request of all the gods, Lord Shiva appeared here as the self-created linga and restored King Daksh to life by putting the head of goat on the shoulders of his body. Then Lord Shiva declared that every year during the month of Savan, Kankhal would be his abode. Then after Lord Shiva wandered across the universe along with the dead body of goddess Sati. Lord Vishnu could not see the deep sorrow of Lord Shiva and cut down the parts of Sati's dead body with his Sudarshan Chakra in order to relieve Lord Shiva from his deep grief. The places where the body parts dropped on the earth later on popular as the Shakti Peeths.

Best time to visit Daksha Mahadev Mandir is during the October to March, especially during holy month of Sravan and on Mahashivratri. Summer is quite hot here and it will be tough to walk during summer so devotee should avoid to visit during April and May.

As Haridwar is one of the most popular pilgrimage centre for Sanatan Dharm and entry gate to Char Dham Yatra of Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath, millions of devotee across the world visits here throughout the year. Especially during festivals,...

The ancient temple of Daksha Mahadev also known as Daksheswar Mahadev Temple, is situated in Kankhal town, 4 km from Haridwar. A sacred place of great devotion and faith among Hindu’s, The Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple is a centre of attraction in holy month of Shravan or Sawan (July – Aug ) as per Hindu calender. This temple of Lord Shiva is named after King Daksha Prajapati, father of Sati. Daksha is among one of the fourteen Prajapatis, the agents of creation, as well as a divine king-rishi. As per mythology, King Daksha Prajapati was the son of Brahma and had a daughter Sati, who married to Lord Shiva against wish of Daksha. Once Daksha Prajapati organized a grand Yagya and all Gods, Sages and Saints were invited except his Son-in-Law, Lord Shiva. King Daksha did not give proper respect and seat to Lord Shiva and asking upon by Sati, why he did so, Kling Daksha used insulted language for Lord Shiva as a result Sati jumped in the fire of Yagya. Lord Shiva got angry and sent one of his warrior Ganas, Virbhadra to Khankhal. Virbhadra chopped off the head of king Daksha. After the long behest of all the Gods, Lord Shiva gave the life to King Daksha and put a head of a male goat on him. King Daksha then realized his mistake and repented before Lord Shiva. Then Lord Shiva declare that in holy month of Shravan he will reside in Kankhal. At the site of Yagya Kund, Daksha Mahadev Temple was built. The present temple was built by Queen Dhankaur in 1810 and rebuilt in 1962. It is a place of pilgrimage for Shiva’s devotees on Maha Shivaratri & Shravan. Next main temple in this complex is the Das Mahavidya temple, dedicated to the Mahavidyas. It has a special respect among devotees of Devi to congregate for special pujas during the Navratri celebrations. There is also a temple in the complex dedicated to Ganga. Next to the temple is the Daksha Ghat on the Ganges and close by is the Nileshwar Mahadev Temple. The Sati Kund located on the banks of River Ganga is also considered sacred and has been mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. The Shivlinga here in Daksheswar Temple is a rare of its kind in the entire world. It is situated not on the earth but below the earth. Temple priest here told me that You can easily feel the Holy & Powerful Energy of Goddess Sati as you step out from the Shivlinga area. And I just feel the same. The whole area including Das MahaVidya's temple is very fascinating. It reminds us about the marriage and Yagya episode of that time. If you are traveling to Haridwar, you can never miss visiting the Daksha Temple as it occupies a significant place in the...

The Daksheswar Mahadev Temple, located in Kankhal, near Haridwar, is a revered site with deep mythological and cultural significance. This beautiful Shiva temple, dedicated to Lord Daksha (the father of Goddess Sati), is a peaceful and spiritual sanctuary for devotees and travelers alike. Here’s my detailed review:

Atmosphere and Spiritual Vibe

The temple exudes a serene and powerful spiritual energy that many devotees find deeply moving. It’s especially poignant for devotees of Lord Shiva, as the temple is believed to be the site where Goddess Sati immolated herself. As you enter, the calmness and devotion of the place make it feel sacred and significant. The sound of hymns and chants enhances the meditative ambiance.

Architecture and Design

Daksheswar Mahadev Temple showcases traditional Hindu architecture with its beautifully carved pillars and deity sculptures. The temple is modest in size but intricately designed, featuring a central shrine of Lord Shiva with statues and idols of other deities surrounding it. There is a large Shivling in the main sanctum where devotees offer prayers, milk, and flowers.

Rituals and Festivities

The temple comes alive during Maha Shivratri, when it sees a large influx of devotees from across the country. Various rituals and offerings are made during this time, and the temple organizes special events and aarti sessions that fill the air with chants and an infectious sense of devotion. It’s recommended to visit early morning to witness the abhishekam and other rituals in a peaceful setting.

Cleanliness and Maintenance

The temple is well-maintained, though it can become crowded during peak pilgrimage seasons. The management does a commendable job keeping the premises clean, and facilities are provided for devotees to wash up before entering the shrine. However, like most holy sites, it can get congested, so visiting during off-peak hours might be preferable for those looking for a quieter experience.

Accessibility

Located in Kankhal, Daksheswar Mahadev Temple is easily accessible from Haridwar, with plenty of parking and transport options. Haridwar’s major attractions, like Har Ki Pauri, are also nearby, allowing visitors to explore multiple spiritual sites in one trip.

Final Thoughts

Daksheswar Mahadev Temple is not only a place of worship but also a site of historical and mythological importance. It’s an excellent destination for those seeking peace, devotion, and connection with Shiva. Whether you’re a devoted pilgrim or a curious traveler, this temple offers a meaningful experience that resonates with the spiritual heritage of Haridwar.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) Highly recommended for anyone visiting Haridwar, especially for those with a devotion to Lord Shiva and an interest in...