Tapkeshwar Temple | |
Map Type: | pl |
Native Name: | Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple, Dehradun |
Country: | India |
State: | Uttarakhand |
District: | Dehradun |
Location: | Dehradun |
Deity: | Shiva |
Architecture: | Hindu temple architecture |
30.3573°N 78.0167°WTapkeshwar Temple, also known as Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple, is a temple in Dehradun dedicated to Shiva. The temple is on the bank of the Tons River, built on top of a natural cave, which holds the temple's main shivalinga.[1] [2]
The Tapkeshwar Temple is believed to be 6,000 years old.[3] It has a natural shivalinga in the cave, which became a place of reverence for the local people.
It is also believed that this was used as a residence by Dronacharya, the teacher of the Pandavas and Kauravas in the Hindu epic Mahabharata; the cave is called Drona Cave after him.[4] Dronacharya's wife Kalyani was unable to breastfeed their newborn son Ashwatthama. As Dronacharya was unable to afford a cow or cow's milk, Ashwatthama prayed to Shiva, who then fed him milk dripping from the shivalinga in the cave.
The temple is popular as both a tourist destination and a pilgrimage site in Dehradun. Pilgrims bathe in the nearby sulphur-water springs before entering the temple.
Drona Cave, surrounded by hills, is a popular site for picnickers from Dehradun and nearby districts.
The temple hold a large festival on Shivratri.[5] [6] The temple committee organizes free meals for the devotees.
Every year on Holi, a local theater group, Hamari Pehchan, begins their holiday performance at the temple.[7]