Tapkeshwar Temple
Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple, Dehradunt
Hanuman Idol
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictDehradun
DeityShiva
Location
LocationDehradun
StateUttarakhand
CountryIndia
Architecture
TypeHindu temple architecture

30°21′26″N 78°01′00″E / 30.3572724°N 78.0166768°E / 30.3572724; 78.0166768 Tapkeshwar Temple, also known as Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple, is a temple in Dehradun dedicated to Shiva. The temple is on the bank of the Tons River, built on top of a natural cave, which holds the temple's main shivalinga.[1][2]

History

The Tapkeshwar Temple is alleged to be 6,000 years old.[3] It has a natural shivalinga in the cave, which became a place of reverence for the local people.

It is also believed that this was used as a residence by Dronacharya, the teacher of the Pandavas and Kauravas in the Hindu epic Mahabharata; the cave is called Drona Cave after him.[2][4] Dronacharya's wife Kalyani was unable to breastfeed their newborn son Ashwatthama.[3] As Dronacharya was unable to afford a cow or cow's milk, Ashwatthama prayed to Shiva, who then fed him milk dripping from the shivalinga in the cave.[3]

Operations

The temple is popular as both a tourist destination and a pilgrimage site in Dehradun. Pilgrims bathe in the nearby sulphur-water springs before entering the temple.[3]

Drona Cave, surrounded by hills, is a popular site for picnickers from Dehradun and nearby districts.[2]

Events

The temple hold a large festival on Shivratri.[4][3][5][6] The temple committee organizes free meals for the devotees.[3]

Every year on Holi, a local theater group, Hamari Pehchan, begins their holiday performance at the temple.[7]

References

  1. ^ "In pics: Cloudburst in Dehradun, water enters caves of Tapkeshwar temple". Hindustan Times. 20 August 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Kumar, Manoj (16 March 2021). "Geology and religious faith: Tapkeshwar temple in Dehradun, Uttarakhand". Times of India Blog. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT TAPKESHWAR TEMPLE DEHRADUN". The Dehradun Daily. 25 December 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Spend some time in Dehradun, Uttarakhand". femina.in. 29 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Maha Shivratri celebrated across Uttarakhand".
  6. ^ Haldankar, Sachin (5 March 2019). "Photos Capture The Vibrant Celebrations Of Shivratri 2019". News18. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  7. ^ "Uttarakhand cultural theatre group present traditional Holi performance". ANI News. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
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