Some 50 km from Dharamshala in Himachal, lies a fairly city named Baijnath within the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The city is generally famous for being residence to an historic temple of Lord Shiva (Baijnath Temple), after which the place is known as.

However that’s not all; are you aware, Baijnath is a uncommon place in India the place Dussehra just isn’t celebrated, and that is why.

Why is Dussehra celebrated in Baijnath?


There are a couple of fascinating tales round it however the one we’re going to discuss is extra well-known. As per the legend, Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. To achieve invincible powers, Ravana determined to worship Lord Shiva within the Kailash, the place he supplied all his ten heads within the
havan kund to make Shiva comfortable. Seeing this, Lord Shiva bestowed him with invincibility and immortality.

Quickly after getting his needs fulfilled, Ravana requested Lord Shiva to come back with him to Lanka. Subsequently, the Goa transformed himself right into a s
hivalinga and requested him to hold it to Lanka. Nevertheless, Shiva additionally warned him to not put the s
hivalinga down on the bottom on his method and, if for some purpose, he does that, Shiva will settle at that very spot endlessly.

Ravana agreed and began his journey with the s
hivalinga. After reaching Baijnath in Himachal, he acquired thirsty and noticed a shepherd who was Lord Ganesha in disguise. Ravana requested for water from him and Ganesha requested the Lord of Water/Lord of Sea (
Varuna) to fill the pot of water that he supplied to Ravana.

Quickly after quenching his thirst, Ravana felt the urge to reply nature’s name. So he requested Ganesh to carry the
shivalinga whereas he relieved himself. However, Lord Ganesha saved the
linga on the bottom and, as advised by Shiva, the
shivalinga settled on the similar spot within the type of
Ardhanarishwar (Lord Shiva within the type of half male and half feminine). The spot was within the modern-day city of Baijnath, the place Dussehra just isn’t celebrated in respect of Ravana’s devotion to Lord Shiva.

Whereas the entire nation burns the effigy of Ravana and his clan, Baijnath has no such ritual.

About Baijnath Temple

Although the historical past of the development of the temple just isn’t that clear, there are two lengthy inscriptions within the partitions of the
mandapa. As per these inscriptions, the temple was constructed by two brothers Manyuka and Ahuka, who had been the devotees of Lord Vaidyanatha,
the Lord of Physicians. The temple is visited by Shiva devotees from throughout the nation and holds immense spiritual significance.