Jageshwar Dham temples are a group of over 100 temples built between the 7th and 12th centuries, in Uttarakhand state, India. These temples were built using cut stones. Apart from the 100-plus ancient temples, many new temples have also come up, making more than 200 temples in this area.
Jageshwar Temples at Jageshwar Dham
Many of the temples are small, whereas a few are comparatively bigger ones. Most temples were built in the Nagara style of architecture, a north Indian style. A few South Indian and Central Indian architecture-styled temples are also in this group of 100-plus Hindu temples. Most of the temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva. 124 Lord Shiva temples are situated in this area.
This town and its surrounding areas are a pilgrimage center called Jageshwar Dham (Dham means pilgrimage region). Jageshwar Dham is a protected area. The Archaeological Survey of India manages this Dham.
Some of the protected monuments situated here in Jageshwar Dham include Jageshwar Temple, Dandeshwar Temple, Chandi-ka-Temple, Nanda Devi or Nau Durga, Kuber Temple, Mritunjaya Temple, Nava-grah Temple, Surya Temple, and a Pyramidal shrine.
Jageshwar Dham is in the magic setting of Himalayan forests lined with cedar trees. Kumaoni heritage can be seen in these temples. (Kumaonis are a group of people of this area in Uttarakhand state.)
Jageshwar Monsoon Festival in July- August is the main festival of Jageshwar. Maha Shivratri Mela (Shivratri festival) is also celebrated here.
People of the Himalayan states consider this area as sacred. Many people conduct last rites for their dear ones at the Jageshwar temple site.
There are other temples also with the same name in the same state. Notable among them is the Jageshwar temple at Dalash.
How Do I Go to Jageshwar Temples or Jageshwar Dham?
Jageshwar town is around 36 kilometers northeast of Almora. There are many hotels in Almora.
The nearest railway station (railhead) is at Kathgodam, around 125 kilometers away. Jolly Grant Airport, at the capital city of the state in Dehradun town, is around 369 kilometers away.
Jageshwar Archaeological Museum
There is an Archaeological Museum at Jageshwar, run by the Archaeological Survey of India. It houses more than 150 sculptures recovered from this area. These sculptures date back to the 9th to 13th century AD.
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