Kapileshwar Jiu Temple, believed to be more than 2400 years
old, is located on National Highway 33 at Kokpara in Jharkhand. The temple is
of great importance from historical and religious point of view.
The present temple structure built in 1955 is a simple one.
The original temple, which is located below the present shrine, was of 20feet
width and was destroyed by Kala Pahad.
Legend has it that cows used to shed all their milk at a
particular spot in the region. When the place was dug up the Shivling was
revealed.
The Shivling that is worshipped in the temple is 3 feet by
3.5 feet. A nandi faces the Shivling.
There is a six feet high murti of Goddess Durga in the
shrine. Hanuman, Ganesha, Kartikeya, Lakshmi and Saraswati are visible on the
side panels of the huge murti.
Shivratri is the most important festival here and Shravan
month attracts thousands of devotees who arrive to offer water to the Shivling.
Mondays and Poda Ashtami are important dates here.
Hundreds of people participate in Rudrabhishekh,
Mahamritunjaya and Shivshanti puja.