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Tapkeshwar Mahadev Mandir – Tapkeshwar Temple in Dehradun

Tapkeshwar Mahadev Mandir is a cave shrine and one has to descend 108 steps to reach the sanctum santorum of the Tapkeshwar Temple. It is located in Ghari area and is around 6 km from Dehradun in Uttarakhand. Guru Dronacharya of Mahabharata did penance here for 12 years.


Legend has it that Ashwathama, son of Guru Drona, also did penance here. Pleased with his devotion, Shiva blessed him on a purnima day.

Another legend has it that milk used to trickle from the cave roof on the Shivling worshipped in the temple. But as Kali Yuga advanced milk turned into water.

The shivling worshipped in the Tapkeshwar Temple is swayambhu, or that which manifested on its own.

Depending on the occasion the Shivling is adorned with Mukut or crown made of rudraksha, silver or gold.

Bhagavan Shiva, Goddess Parvati and Ganesha are also worshipped in the temple in pindi forms.

A sculpture of Guru Dronacharya can be seen at the entrance of the shrine.

There are also other murtis of Ganesha and Shiva carved from marble stone in the shrine. Kaal Bhairav murti faces the main Shivling.

There is a huge sculpture of Hanuman outside the shrine.

The most important rituals in the temple are held in Shravan month. A 3 km long shobha yatra is held in the month from Shivaji Dharmashala.

The most important festival in the temple is Shivratri.