Daksh Mahadev Temple Kankhal is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Haridwar. Daksh Mahadev Temple is the basis of the recognized and revered Shaktipeeths in Hindu religion. This temple is especially important for Shiva devotees. This temple is located in Kankhal at a distance of 4 kilometers from Haridwar.
Daksh Mahadev Mandir Kankhal Haridwar - Stories
In Hindu religion, Goddess Sati is considered a form of Shakti i.e. Goddess Parvati. Daksh Prajapati was the father of Sati. He was the son of Brahma and for some reasons did not like Lord Shiva. His daughter Sati had married Lord Shiva and he was angry about this.
Once Daksh Prajapati organized a huge yagya in which he called all the sages, sages and gods but did not call Lord Shiva in that yagya. Despite his not inviting his daughter Sati, Sati was determined to come to that yagya. During the Yagya, Sati had to endure a lot of insult from her father and in anger, she jumped into the fire of the Yagya and sacrificed her life. When Lord Shiva came to know about this, he became very angry and sent Veerbhadreshwar, born from his hair, to Daksh to die. Veerbhadra beheaded King Daksh and the yagya ritual remained incomplete.
Daksh Mahadev Temple Haridwar |
Lord Shiva became very angry and did not want to cremate Sati's body. According to the mythological story, seeing her separation and anger, Lord Vishnu cut the dead body of Sati into pieces with his Sudarshan Chakra and those pieces fell at different places. Shaktipeeths were established at these places.
After this, on everyone's continuous request, Lord Shiva came to Kankhal and to complete the Yagya ritual, he brought King Daksh back to life by attaching a goat's head to him and completed the Yagya ritual. King Daksh realized his mistake and prayed to Lord Shiva to stay there for some time. Lord Shiva said that every year he would come here in the month of Sawan. King Daksh then built this temple for Lord Shiva.
This story about this temple is quite popular. That is why a large number of Shiva devotees come here in the month of Sawan for prayers. This temple is also called Daksh Prajapati Temple.
Daksh Mahadev Mandir Kankhal - Religious Importance
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are called the mother and father of the world. Kankhal, the birthplace of Goddess Sati, the embodiment of Shakti, is a special and important pilgrimage. Daksh Mahadev Temple Kankhal is considered to be the source of energy of all the Shaktipeeths located in the Indian subcontinent. As it is said in the popular story that Lord Shiva will come here every year in the month of Sawan, due to this, this place is especially revered for Shiva devotees in that particular month and in reflection of this, Shiva devotees perform Kanwar Yatra every year. During this yatra, devotees take water from the holy river Ganga and perform Jalabhishek of the Shivalinga established here.
Daksh Mahadev Mandir Parisar
Daksh Mahadev Temple Haridwar |
Apart from the main temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, there is a Yagya Kund in the temple complex in which it is said that Goddess Sati sacrificed her life. Apart from this, Ram Darbar Temple, Shani Dev Temple, Hanuman Temple and a Devi Temple are located in the temple complex in which ten incarnations of the Goddess are shown in idol form. There is a banyan tree in this temple which is said to be several hundred years old.
Daksh Mahadev Mandir Kankhal Worship Timings
Daksh Mahadev Temple remains open for devotees throughout the year. Prayer timings in the temple are from 6 am to 7 pm. There are some shops in the temple premises itself to buy puja material. There are also restaurants in the premises itself where pure vegetarian food is served.
Daksh Mahadev Mandir Kankhal Festivals
Special pujas are organized in the temple premises on the occasion of two main festivals/celebrations dedicated to Lord Shiva, Shivratri in the month of Sawan and Mahashivratri in the month of February. Even during the Kumbh Mela, a large number of devotees come here.
Daksh Mahadev Mandir Kankhal – nearby places
Anandamai Ashram, Parad Shivalinga Temple is situated near Daksh Mahadev Temple. The main tourist places of Haridwar can also be seen at a short distance from here. Main tourist places of Haridwar like Har Ki Pauri, Neel Dhara Bird Sanctuary, Mansa Devi Temple, Chandi Devi Temple, Rajaji National Park etc. can be covered from here.
How to reach Daksh Mahadev Mandir Kankhal
To reach Daksh Mahadev Temple by flight, one can reach domestic and international airports in Delhi. You can go from Delhi to Haridwar by road, train or taxi. You can also go from Delhi to Haridwar by state transport bus and private tourist bus. While going from Delhi to Haridwar, Kankhal is a small town about 4 kilometers before Haridwar which is basically known for the Daksh Prajapati temple situated here.
Jolly Grant Airport located in Dehradun is the nearest airport here. The distance of 50 kilometers from Dehradun to Haridwar can be covered by taxi or state transport bus.