Tanginath Dham is a very popular and powerful temple
dedicated to Shiva at Gumla in Jharkhand. As per local belief, the original
Tanginath Mandir was constructed by Shiva Himself. A trident and Shivling are
worshipped in the main temple. The temple complex is strewn with numerous murtis
and temple artifacts.
Shiva is worshipped here as Tanginath because local legend
has it that Shiva installed his trident here. He then took the form of a common
man and roamed around with a spade – tangi in local language.
A legend has that Tanginath Baba was challenged by a local
king to build a temple overnight. Baba started the construction of the temple
and was about to complete it before sunrise. But the king, who was a magician,
turned into to a cock and gave the morning call.
Baba thought it was morning and as he could not complete the
temple, He pushed it down with his foot. When Shiva realized that he was
cheated, he threw his Tangi at the king and killed him.
The tangi can be found at Deepadih Kusmi around 20 km from
Tanginath Dham.
The temple complex has more than 108 Shivlings and murtis of
Saptamatrikas. The entire temple complex is strewn with murtis of gods and
goddesses.
A major attraction is a five feet long Trishul
or trident. This ancient trident has not rusted even after long years.