>PQR01 at 07:02, 29 May 2021

2021-05-29T07:02:07Z

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{{Short description|Hindu Temple in Uttarakhand}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox Mandir
| image = Daksheshwar Mahadev temple, Kankhal3.JPG
| alt =
| caption =
| map_type = India Uttarakhand
| map_caption = Location within Uttarakhand
| coordinates = {{coord|29|55|18.72|N|78|08|45.04|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Uttarakhand]]
| district = [[Haridwar district|Haridwar]]
| locale = [[Kankhal]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = Daksheswar Mahadev ([[Shiva]])
| festivals= [[Maha Shivaratri]], [[Navratri]]
| architecture = [[Hindu temple architecture|Nagara style]]
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed = 1810 CE
| creator = Queen Dhankaur
| website =
}}
'''Daksheswar Mahadev''' ({{lang-hi|दक्षेश्‍वर महादेव मन्दिर}}) or '''Daksha Mahadev temple''' is a [[Hindu temple]] dedicated to Lord [[Shiva]], located in the town of [[Kankhal]], about 4 km from [[Haridwar]], [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]]. It is named after King [[Daksha]] [[Prajapati]], the father of [[Sati (Hindu goddess)|Sati]].<ref>[http://haridwarcity.in/the-story-of-daksh/ The Story of Daksh]. ''Sati, the consort of Shiva was the daughter of Daksha''...</ref> Daksha is one of the fourteen [[Prajapati]]s, [[creator deity|creator deities]], who preside over procreation and are the protector of life in [[Hindu mythology]].

The present temple was built by Queen Dhankaur in 1810 and rebuilt in 1962. It is a place of pilgrimage for [[Shaivaite]] devotees on [[Maha Shivaratri]].<ref>[http://www.gatewayforindia.com/tourism/uttranchal/haridwar.htm Daksheswar Mahadev Temple]</ref>

==The legend of Daksha==
{{main|Daksha yajna}}
[[File:Daksh Mahadev Shivlingam.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Shivlingam – this is the neck portion of Daksha, who was decapitated by Maha Rudra]]
As mentioned in the ''[[Mahabharata]]'' and other texts of [[Hinduism]], King [[Daksha]] [[Prajapati]], the father of Sati, Shiva's first wife, performed ''[[yajna]]'' at the place where the temple is situated. Although Sati felt insulted when her father did not invite Shiva to the ritual, she attended the ''yajna''. She found that Shiva was being spurned by her father and she burnt herself in the Yajna Kunda itself. Shiva got angry and sent his ''Gaṇas'', the terrible demi-god [[Virabhadra]] and [[Bhadrakali]] to the ritual.<ref name=Maha>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12b111.htm the Horse-sacrifice of the Prajapati Daksha] [[Mahabharata|The Mahabharata]] translated by [[Kisari Mohan Ganguli]] (1883 -1896], Book 12: Santi Parva: Mokshadharma Parva: Section CCLXXXIV. '''p. 317'''. "I am known by the name of [[Virabhadra]]’’ and I have sprung from the wrath of Rudra. This lady (who is my companion) is called Bhadrakali and hath sprung from the wrath of the goddess."</ref> On the direction of Shiva, Virabhadra appeared with Shiva's ''ganas'' in the midst of Daksha's assembly like a storm wind and waged a fierce war with the gods and mortals present culminating in the beheading of Daksha, who was later given the head of a goat at the behest of [[Brahma]] and other gods. Much of the details of the [[Ashvamedha]] [[Yagna]] ([[Horse sacrifice|Horse Sacrifice]]) of [[Daksha]] are found in the ''[[Vayu Purana]]''.

==Other structures==
[[File:Ganga Maa temple within Daksheshwar Mahadev temple, Kankhal.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Ganga's temple within Daksheshwar Mahadev temple complex]]
Standing next to the main temple is the ''Das Mahavidya'' temple, dedicated to the ''[[Mahavidya]]s''. It is a venue for devotees of ''[[Devi]]'' to congregate for special ''[[puja (Hinduism)|pujas]]'' during the [[Navratri]] celebrations. There is also a temple in the complex dedicated to [[Ganga in Hinduism|Ganga]]. Next to the temple is the ''Daksha Ghat'' on the [[Ganges]] and close by is the ''Nileshwar Mahadev Temple''.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{Commons category-inline|Das Mahavidya temple}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100222195621/http://haridwar.nic.in/touristplaces.htm Religious Places in Haridwar district]
*[http://haridwarcity.in/mythology/the-story-of-daksh/ The story of Daksha - kankhal]
{{Hindu temples in Uttarakhand}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Shiva temples in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Rebuilt buildings and structures in India]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Haridwar]]

Daksheswar Mahadev Temple - Revision history

>PQR01 at 07:02, 29 May 2021