Tapkeshwar Temple
| Tapkeshwar Temple | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Proper name | Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple, Dehradun |
| Geography | |
| Country | India |
| State | Uttarakhand |
| Location | Dehradun |
| Culture | |
| Primary deity | Lord Shiva |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | Hindu temple architecture |
Tapkeshwar Temple in Dehradun, also known as Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple, is one of the most famous temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated by the forest side, the main shivalinga at the temple is inside a natural cave. Water drops from the ceiling of the cave trickle down over the shivalinga in a continuous downpour, making for an interesting spectacle.[1]
History
The Shiva linga is in a cave nearby where the river enters and water droplets drip down on the Shivalinga. The small cave with this splendid scenery is said to have been once resided by Dronacharya- the teacher of Pandavas and Kauravas in the Hindu epic Mahabharata written by Ved Vyas. The cave is thus named Drona Cave after his name.
Temple features
Tourists in Dehradun visit Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple hardly 6 km from the main city. Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple is the nearest widely popular pilgrimage in Dehradun. The beautiful temple of lord Shiva established in between the two hills attracts hundreds of tourists from and around Dehradun every month. Travelers from and around Uttarakhand state pay visit to Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple for its religious significance and adventurers go to see the water drops dripping in the Shiva ling in Drona cave. The water that drops down vanishes underground and can be seen only few yards away in the form of a stream. In Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple, cool sulphur-water springs where devoted pilgrims take bath before entering the temple.
A large festival is held on Shivratri day around the Tapkeshwar Temple in Dehradun.[2] People in large numbers participate in the fair organized on the occasion of Shivratri and pay their obeisance to the deity every year. Drona Cave, surrounded by beautiful hills, is usually covered with picnickers from Dehradun and nearby districts.
Visitor information
The temple is situated on the Garhi Cantt Road and is 30.7 km from Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun, 9.7 km from ISBT Dehradun and 7.5 km from Railway Station Deharadun. You can get taxi at the airport, taxi, City Bus or three wheeler nearby the ISBT or Railway Station from where you can make your way to Tapkeshwar.[3]