History, Importance, Timings, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Daksh Mahadev Temple, Kankhal, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India
Daksha Mahadev or Daksheshwar Mahadev temple, one of the prime attraction of Haridwar is located in Kankhal at just 6 km from Har ki Pauri, Haridwar, Gateway to the God in state of Uttarakhand. Daksh Mahadev temple is one of the most ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and holds high spiritual importance for its history. This temple is must visit place of Haridwar and any pilgrimage tour of Haridwar cannot be completed without the visit here. Daksha Mahadev temple is named after the king Daksh Prajapati, Son of Lord Brahma, one of the fourteen Prajapati and the father of Sati. This is the place where King Daksha Prajapati performed the Yajna and Sati self-immolated herself in the yagna kund. This temple was initially constructed in 1810 by Queen Dhankaur and the rebuilt in 1962.
Within the temple premise, there is Yajna Kund in one part where goddess Sati burnt herself and in other part Shivlinga is installed, also you can see the thousand year old Banyan tree here. The Daksha ghat on the left side of the main temple where devotee can perform rituals and also takes holy dip in river Ganga. Beside this, ancient temple of goddess Ganga is also located. In the right side of main temple, Das Mahavidya temple dedicated to Kali, Tara, Shodashi, Bhuvaneshvari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi and Kamala is located. Right Behind the Daksheshwar Mahadev, there is small temple dedicated to Sheetala Mata. Generally, Sheetala Mata is believed as the goddess of infectious diseases like smallpox and chicken pox. It is also said that this is the birth place of Goddess Sati. Beside this, there is ancient Sanskirt Pathshala but now it’s not in operation but you can perform several rituals with help of expert Shastriji in Sanskrit here. There is small temple called Brhameshwar Mahadevji is located beside the Das Mahavidhya Temple where it Lord Brahma worshipped Lord Shiva.
As per the holy text of Sanatan Dharma, Daksha Mahadev temple is the place where Daksh Prajapati had organized a very popular and giant yajna here in Kankhal. As per the description, Jagdamba the supreme Shakti took birth as daughter of Daksh Prajapati who had his kingdom at Kankhal. She was named as Sati, she performed hard penance to please Lord Shiva to wed her. At last, the Lord Shiva agree to marry her. After their marriage, King Daksh did not respect lord Shiva. Daksh Prajapati had invited all the god and sages in Yagna but ignored the Lord Shiva to insult him. Though without invitation Sati had visited during Yagya but King Daksha had insulted the Lord Shiva in presence of all the gods. Sati could not tolerate the insult of her husband lord Shiva and she consigned herself to the flames of the yajna.
As the disastrous news reached Lord Shiva, he sent Veerbhadra, the great warriors and horrible form to Kanakhal. Verbhadra had cut down the head of King Daksh and disrupted the entire yagya. Then on the request of all the gods, Lord Shiva appeared here as the self-created linga and restored King Daksh to life by putting the head of goat on the shoulders of his body. Then Lord Shiva declared that every year during the month of Savan, Kankhal would be his abode. Then after Lord Shiva wandered across the universe along with the dead body of goddess Sati. Lord Vishnu could not see the deep sorrow of Lord Shiva and cut down the parts of Sati's dead body with his Sudarshan Chakra in order to relieve Lord Shiva from his deep grief. The places where the body parts dropped on the earth later on popular as the Shakti Peeths.
Best time to visit Daksha Mahadev Mandir is during the October to March, especially during holy month of Sravan and on Mahashivratri. Summer is quite hot here and it will be tough to walk during summer so devotee should avoid to visit during April and May.
As Haridwar is one of the most popular pilgrimage centre for Sanatan Dharm and entry gate to Char Dham Yatra of Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath, millions of devotee across the world visits here throughout the year. Especially during festivals, Char Dham Yatra period and vacation, you can see tremendous flow of devotee at all the place of Haridwar and mainly at Har ki Pauri during the evening Ganga Aarti. As, millions of pilgrims reach here, to facilitate them lots of Ashram, Dharmshala, Hotels and guest house established to accommodate. Lots of restaurant and shopping market are well developed. Especially winter collection and ritual related items are available in lots of variety and at affordable price. Also you can find lots of travel agency and guide service here in Haridwar. For any assistance, pilgrims can connect us on 9979242505.
How to Reach Daksh Mahadev Temple, Kankhal, Haridwar, The Gate way of Supreme Lord, Uttarakhand, India
Daksha Mahadev temple is one the most popular and must visit pilgrimage site of Haridwar where thousands of devotee and tourist reaches around the year during their Haridwar tour. It is located just 5 km from Har ki Pauri, 6 km from railway station so devotee can easily reach via auto or private vehicle. Haridwar is one of the Sapt Puri – Seven holy pilgrimage of Sanatan Dharma which grants pilgrims with Moksha. Haridwar is very well connected with all the major cities of India via road, rail and air network. Haridwar has major railway junction which is well connected with all major cities across India. Also you can easily reach Haridwar via road network of national and state highway. Nearest airport from Haridwar is Jolly Grant Airport located in Dehradun, the capital of state of Uttarakhand at just 37 km from Haridwar. You can get flights to almost all cities of India from here. For local transport, Haridwar has a good public and private transport facility to reach any part of city easily. You can get taxi, auto rickshaw and now lots of e rickshaw also available to reach each temple of city. Haridwar is located at around 54 km from Dehradun, 30 km from Rishikesh – the Yoga capital of world, 90 km from Mussoorie, 240 km from Delhi, 190 km from UttarKashi and 203 km from Guptkashi.
