In a beautiful narrow valley, surrounded by a dense forest of magnificent deodar monarchs, 34km from Almora, Jageshwar is believed to be the abode
of twelve Jyotirling’s. It is situated in a beautiful narrow valley surrounded by magnificent deodar trees. The complex, consisting of 124 temples and hundreds. Swayambhu Linga named Nagesh Darukabane. In jageshwar, fairs are held during Shivaratiri and in the month of ‘Svan’ (July, August). The place is frequented by both religious as well as nature lover tourists.
From 7th century onwards, there ws a great temple building activity under the Katyuri kings, who rivaled the Chalukyas in the South. During the 8th and 9th centuries, Kumaon and Garhwal were passing thorough a deep cultural and religious fervor and a group of shrines were put up, to lakulisa, Natraj and the Goddess Durga.
Pushti Mata- the Durga temple, built in the 9th Century A.D., is comparatively small in size, ranging from 8 to 9 meter, rectangular with two massive square pllars at the entrance and pilasters all around the wall portion. On top of the wagon shaped roof, are two flanking squatted lions facing the cardinal points.
The Lakulisa and Natraj Temples, built 8th century, are also 10.5 meters feet high. Though square and with a plain and simple plinth, they have broad and horizontal moldings all along the Sikhara, or roof. The Sukanasa or the frontal pediment is elaborately carved with Lakulisa flanked by his disciples and the Natraj Shiva in his dancing feet. Unique in the art, history of Kumaon, the representation of the two scriptures brings out the religious devour of the age.
Pandas of Jageshwar : The Pandas or temple-priests of Jageshwar are called Baruas or Baroras. They say that they were Bhatts of Benares who came here during the reign of Raja Udyan Chand, but the more common and accepted statement is that they are the descendants of a Dakhini Bhatt who came with the Jangamas placed here by Shankaracharya.
Vridha (Bada) Jageshwar
For splendid Himalayan view and an ancient temple dedicated to Shiva, it can be approached by 1.5 km trek route from Jageshwar or 8 km drive from Punuanaula which is 8 km from Jageshwar.
How to Reach:
The nearest rail head is Kathgodam 125 km. Jageshwar has direct road links with Almora (35 km), Haldwani (131 km.), Pithoragarh (88 km) and Kathgodam. State transport, and private jeeps and taxis ply from these place for Jageshwar regularly.