Baijnath Temple Palampur: History, Timings, Location and Importances.

Have you ever gone to Baijnath Temple and seen the architecture of this temple? The scenery of Baijnath Temple (Palampur) is the most beautiful to see. Devotees worship Lord Shiva at Baijnath Temple, which is very popular in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

In Baijnath Temple Palampur Lord Shiva is worshipped as the ‘God of healing’ and it is believed to say that Baijnath is the incarnation of Lord Shiva. The avatar of Baijnath, Lord Shiva removes the miseries and pain of his devotees. 

Although the Baijnath Temple holds special significance to the devotees of Lord Shiva and is considered sacred. The people also say that the water of Baijnath Temple is like medicinal value and cure for the devotees. The water of Baijnath Temple (Palampur) cures severe illnesses and diseases. 

This makes devotees interested in visiting the temple every year from all around the world. Ahuka and Manyuka, two native merchants, developed Baijnath Temple in 1204 A.D. The merchants were devotees of Lord Shiva. 

This revered temple, which is barely 16 kilometres from Palampur, is a location where one can find unwavering quiet and untarnished tranquillity in the soft caress of god. Lord Shiva and Demon King Ravana are revered in the temple, which is one of the few in India.

As per the Hindu ancient scriptures all over India, there are a total of 12 Lord Shiva jyotirlingas established. These jyotirlingas are the pillar of pure light and unencumbered power across the country. Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu consider this a challenge, and it is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas that rests in the Baijnath Temple.

As we all know Baijnath Temple is located in the backdrop of the Dhauladhar Himalayan range, Palampur. 

Significance Of Baijnath Temple

It’s interesting to note that different sources have different lists of the 12 jyotirlingas. A few holy manuscripts list the Vaidyanath temple in Parli (Maharashtra) as one of the 12 jyotirlingas rather than the Vaidyanath temple in Deoghar, which is also known as the Baijnath temple. 

Another scripture claims that one of the 12 jyotirlingas is the Baijnath temple in Himachal Pradesh. This list has caused some confusion. Yet, all three temples are regarded as being quite sacred and have a great deal of local significance.

• In addition to these pitcher-shaped dishes, there is an uncommon item called a “Panchkula” (five knives arranged in the shape of a trident).
• The lingam measures about 5 inches in diameter and is situated approximately 4 inches from the centre. It is a cylindrical basalt slab.
• Devotees also have a special veneration for the Jyotirlinga since they think Shiva originally changed into one on the night of the Ardra Nakshatra.
• The Jyotirlinga is the supreme partless reality, from which Shiva partially manifests. Thus, the Jyotirlinga temples are the locations where Shiva manifested as a blazing pillar of light.

Architecture Of Baijnath Temple

The architecture of Baijnath Temple hits the north Indian style in the shape of ‘Nagara’. And the technique of this temple is blended with many architectural events which are commonly known in Orissa. 

As a result, Himachal Pradesh is the only state with such a creative fusion.

There are two entrances, one on each side, with balconies on either side of a huge vestibule in the middle. It’s called the Mandap. A tiny porch supported by four columns is located in front of the Mandap. Nandi, Lord Shiva’s mount or vahan, is seated on this porch. The walls of the inner sanctum, where the Shivling is located, are decorated with paintings and drawings.

The complex’s stone walls have inscriptions detailing the history of the Baijnath Temple. A shrine to Lord Shiva once stood on the same site as the current temple, according to inscriptions on the temple walls. Clean, well-kept lawns and lush, verdant gardens are unique and ancient scripture of this temple.

Legend Of Baijnath Temple

The legend of Baijanth Temple is associated with the great devotee Ravan of Lord Shiva. Ravan was the king of Lanka (Palace of Gold) but do you know the story behind becoming the king of Lanka? There is an ancient story of being the king of Lanka as we all know that Ravan was the sworn devotee of Lord Shiva.

He always wanted to be the king of Lanka and to do this, he decided to appease Lord Shiva by sacrificing his ten heads. He organized a havan and decided to cut his heads one by one and sacrifice them in the fire of Kund. When he was about to cut his last tenth head, Lord Shiva stopped him from doing that. 

Lord Shiva: God Of Healing

Impressed by his dedication and devotion, Lord Shiva blessed him with immortality and unparalleled strength to rule the land of Lanka. Lord Shiva also reinstalled his ten heads which is why Lord Shiva called him ‘God of healing’. 

Ravan dared to make another request of Lord Shiva after being so moved by his generosity—a plea for Shiva to travel with him to Lanka. By becoming a Shivling, Lord Shiva granted him his wish and instructed him to only give it up when they reached Lanka. Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma grew very concerned that Ravan would become invincible due to the power of the sacred Shivling and his newly discovered strength and intellect.

Ravan was travelling to Lanka when the lords began to blast heavy winds in his face. The oppressive cold compelled Ravan to obey nature. Ravan asked the beggar, whom he spotted sitting on the corner of the street, to hold the Shivling while he was gone. Indeed, this beggar was in disguise for Lord Vishnu.

Lord Vishnu handed the shiv linga to the earliest Ravan as a beggar. Ravan placed the Shiv linga on the earth, and it is now connected to the ground and immovable. That’s how Baijnath Temple was established.

Mysteries Of Baijnath Temple

These astounding mysteries about the Baijnath Temple in Himachal Pradesh contribute to the temple’s mystique.

• Baijnath does not observe the Dassara celebration, which people believe involves burning an effigy of Ravana because they regard Ravana as one of Shiva’s most fervent admirers
• There are no goldsmith or silversmith businesses in Baijnath Temple, and anyone who has tried to open one has failed. This lack of availability also appears to be connected to Ravana.
• The Shivling inside the Baijnath Shivling Temple is thought to stretch deep into the earth. Once, a Mandi ruler intended to take the Shivling with him, but despite excavating far down, the workers were unable to reach the Shivling. A group of bees attacked the workers.
• The king ordered the decoration of the Shivling with butter for seven days during the Makar Sankranti celebration, realizing his error afterwards.
• Observers at the temple have observed a stunning white mouse at the Ganesh statue one is not sure where it originates or goes when it disappears.
• The Radhakrishna temple’s Shiva and Parvati statue occasionally manifests as a little snake or nag.
• The hereditary priest of the temple claims that their ancestors chanted “Om Namah Shivaya” when they arrived to open the temple in the mornings during its construction.

Festivals Celebrated In Baijnath Temple

In Palampur, Baijnath, Temple every year several tourists visit the temple from all around the world. The festivals celebrated here are Makar Sankranti, Maha Shivratri, Vaisakha Sankranti, and Shravan Mondays with great devotion and splendour. 

Every Monday of Shravan in Baijnath Temple, people offer prayers to God. They hold a 5-day festival during Maha Shivratri every year to honour Lord Shiva. Devotees believe that visiting the temple and taking the darshan of Lord Shiva fulfils all desires and wishes.

But do you know in Baijnath Temple, in honour of Ravan, people here do not celebrate Dussehra? 

Ravan’s effigies across the nation are set ablaze as part of the holiday, but this region does not observe Dussehra. This is a distinctive feature of this temple town.

How To Reach Baijnath Temple

The route to reach the Baijnath Temple is not direct, meaning there are no direct trains available from any major cities to Baijnath. But you can book the tickets from your railway station to Amb Andaura station which is closest to Baijnath or Baidyanath temple (Palampur) nearly 65 km away. 

The devotees can also go by bus which heads to the Baijnath temple the nearest bus stop is the Baijnath bus stop which is just a 4 km walking distance from the temple.

Gaggal Airport (DHM), which is approximately 37 km away, is the closest. Gaggal Airport often has flights going to and coming from big cities. People typically do transfers within the city on foot or by motor rickshaws.

Important Details Of Baijnath Temple

Before going to visit the Baijnath Temple, there are some important things you need to know such as timings, location, prayer timings, and distance of the temple from the railway station, airport, and bus stand. 

Temple opening timing

Visitors and followers are welcome at the temple from 6 AM to 9 PM. There is no entrance fee to the temple, and you can explore it completely in 1-2 hours.

Check the official temple website for any updates and modifications to the timings listed here, which originate from a board posted on the temple grounds.

• Winter hours for Baijnath Shiv Temple are 4.30 AM to 9.00 PM.
• Summer hours for Baijnath Himachal Pradesh Shiv Mandir are 4.00 AM to 8.45 PM.
• In the winter, Baijnath Dham Shiv Temple opens at 5.30 AM for morning puja and aarti.
• In the summer, Baijnath Dham Shiv Mandir’s morning aarti and puja begin at 5.15 AM.
• At the Baijnath Shiv Temple, evening puja and aarti begin at 7.45 PM.
• In the summer, Baijnath Shiv Mandir’s evening puja and aarti begin around 7:15 PM.
• Between 11.45 AM and 12 PM, the Baijnath Shiv Temple offers bhog to Lord Shiva.
• Every day of the week, the Baijnath Himachal Pradesh Shiv Mandir is open.

Location

It is simple to get to the historic Baijnath temple any time of year. It’s in Baijnath Town, in the Beas Valley of Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district, 16 kilometres from Palampur.

Distance from nearest stations and airport

Shimla Airport in Jubbarhatti, which is 225 kilometres from the Baijnath temple in the Kangra district, is the closest. Once you get to Shimla, you can easily find private vehicles and taxis to transport you to the Baijnath temple.

Prayer timings

Devotees pray every morning and every evening at the Baijnath temple, one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in the nation. While Mondays are a busy day at the temple during the week, Mahashivratri, which has significant religious significance, sees a significant increase in visitors.

Sum Up

Your experience after visiting the historic Baijnath Shiva temple will undoubtedly be joyful and uplifting. It serves as a time-tested representation of faith. It also serves as a superb illustration of the architectural and creative prowess of those skilled artisans who lived many centuries ago. For more information don’t hesitate to contact 99Pandit.

We hope you enjoyed reading our informative blog about Baijnath Temple and are confident that the material will help you plan your trip to Baijnath Temple in Himachal Pradesh.

Frequently Asked Question

Q. Where is Baijnath Temple located?

A.Baijnath Temple is located in the backdrop of the Dhauladhar Himalayan range, Palampur. People worship Lord Shiva as the ‘God of healing’ in Baijnath Temple (Palampur), and they also consider Baijnath and Vaidyanath as the incarnations of Lord Shiva.

Q. When was the Baijnath Temple established?

A.The development of Baijnath Temple was in 1204 A.D through two native merchants named Ahuka and Manyuka. The merchants were devotees of Lord Shiva.

Q. What is the history of the Baijnath Temple?

A.Lord Vishnu gave the shiv linga to the earliest Ravan as a beggar. He placed the shivlinga on the earth and connected it to the ground, making it immovable. This is how he established Baijnath Temple.

Q. Why do people worship Lord Shiva as the “God of healing” in Baijnath temple?

A. The people worshipped Lord Shiva as the ‘God of healing’ as it is said that the water of Baijnath Temple is like medicinal value and cure for the devotees. The water of Baijnath Temple (Palampur) cures severe illnesses and diseases.

Q. What is the timing of the Baijnath Temple?

A. Visitors and followers are welcome at the temple from 6 AM to 9 PM. There is no entrance fee to the temple, and you can explore it completely in 1-2 hours.