Hidden Mahadev Temple; Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple, Kangra

 

Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple, Kangra

Kaleshwar Mahadev is the form of Maa Kali and Shiva, Pandavas had built the temple, there is an interesting belief about Shivalinga.

There are many Shiva temples in Devbhoomi Himachal. Every Shiva temple has its own belief and a different history. There is a temple of Kalinath Kaleshwar Mahadev in Rakkar subdivision of district Kangra, it is also called Mini Haridwar. There is a historical Pandava era temple of Lord Shiva here. It is believed that the Pandavas stayed here for a long time during their exile. It was during this time that he constructed it. According to a legend about the Shivalinga in Kalinath Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple in Dehra, this Shivalinga is sinking into the underworld every year at the rate of a grain of barley. When this Shivalinga completely sinks into the earth, Kaliyuga will end.

It is also believed that by cremating here the deceased attains heaven. The fair organized here on Baisakhi is also special in itself. Even on that day, lakhs of people come here to take bath. There is movement of devotees here even in the month of Sawan. During the first wave of Corona, due to not being able to reach Haridwar, people also immersed the bones of the dead in the Beas river flowing here. The month of Sawan has started and today is the first Monday. Even on Sunday, there was a steady flow of devotees coming to the temple for worship. Due to the presence of water from five places of pilgrimage in this place, this place is also named Panchtirthi, where devotees take bath.

 

This is how Jyotirlinga was established

It is also believed that in Satyayuga, there was terror of Jalandhar demon in Shivalik hills. Troubled by that, the gods and sages gave birth to Mahakali with their powers. He destroyed Jalandhar and other demons within a few moments. When Kali's anger did not subside even after the destruction of the wicked, Lord Shiva himself lay down on the battlefield and the feet of the angry mother fell on him. As soon as Mother Kali realized this, she became completely calm. However, she kept regretting this mistake again and again. She wandered in the Himalayas for years in search of atonement. One day she sat on the banks of river Beas in Kaleshwar and started meditating on Lord Shiva. Bholenath appeared before him at that time and established Jyotirlinga at that place. Since then this place came to be known as Kali and Shiva i.e. Kalinath Kamleshwar Mahadev.

 

This is how the name Panchatirthi came about

Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple was built during the Pandava period. Pandavas stayed here during their exile and got a temple built from the wonderful Pindi of Lord Shiva. It is believed that when the Pandavas could not go from here for the Kumbh Mela, they shot five arrows and brought out a water stream from the mountain. The water of five pilgrimages had come out here and hence this place is also called Panchtirthi. People take bath here to get rid of their sins.

Declared a site of national importance

The Central Government has included Kaleshwar Mahadev among the sites and monuments of national importance about two years ago. The Central Government itself protects the sites .

 

How to reach the temple:

This temple is about 12 kilometers away from Jwalaji. One will have to take the link road from Kuhna on Chandigarh-Nadaun Highway, from where it is at a distance of three kilometers. People coming from Chintpurni have to take a turn at Naiharanpukhar. The distance to the temple there is about 12 kilometers. This place is six kilometers away from Dehra via Sunehat. Taxi facility along with bus is also available here.