Bagnath Temple, Uttarakhand

As Per The Theological, Brahmarishi Vashishtha was leading Sarayu from Mansarovar to Ayodhya. When both of them arrived at this place, Vashishtha found Rishi Markandey in intense penance. He thought if, me and sarayu proceed further, the noise would disturb the Rishi. So he halted there, resulting the increase in the Sarayu’s water level. So Brahmarshi Vashishtha and Sarayu requested to Lord Shiva to find a solution. The Lord Shiva arrived with his consort Parvati and who assumed the form of a tiger with Goddess Parvati assuming the form of a cow. When attacked the cow made a noise which awoke Rishi Markandeya and Vashishtha could progress with river Saryu to Ayodhya. Ever since Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Tiger and the town was called Vyaghreshwar and later on Bageshwar. The temple where Shiva was worshipped was known as Vyaghranath and know is Bagnath.

In the present Bagnath temple has an impressive Shikhar, beautiful stone structure and in the sanctum Lord Shiva is worshipped. The complex has temples for Bhairava, Durga, Kalika, Thingal Bhairav, Vaneshwar and other Hindu Gods. The vicinity there are small temples which are much older and archaeological Significance.

This is a very beautiful temple and it is believe temple is built by Katyuri kings in ancient time, and the current structure of the temple is built by the Laxmi Chand in the year of 1602. The Bagnath temple complex sheltered the idols from 7th to 16th centuries. During the winters season of January month, the famous Uttarayani fair is held here and this attended by large number of pilgrims from whole of India.