Drona of the Mahabharata was one of the greatest archers of
his era. He was the Guru of both Pandavas and Kauravas. It is believed that
Dronacharya did penance for 12 years in a cave near Dehradun in Uttarakhand.
The cave is today famous as the Tapkeshwar
Temple .
It is said that Shiva appeared before Drona in the cave. He
was pleased with the supreme skills of Dronacharya in archery and blessed him.
Several years later, Ashwathama, son of Dronacharya, did
penance in the cave standing on one foot. Shiva is believed to have appeared
before him and blessed him with great skills in archery.
Today one can see the sculpture of Guru Drona on the
entrance of the cave temple.