Daksha Mahadev Temple

Daksha Mahadev temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the town of Kankhal, about 4 km from Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India. It is named after King Daksha Prajapati, the father of Sati. Daksha is one of the fourteen Prajapatis, creator deities, who preside over procreation and are the protector of life in Hindu mythology. Daksha Mahadev temple is a center attraction in holy month of saavan as per Hindu Calender.

Daksha Mahadev Temple is one of the popular and ancient temple in Haridwar. Daksha Mahadev temple is a center attraction in holy month of saavan as per Hindu Calender. It is also known as Daksha temple or Daksha Mandir. This temple is placed in Kankhal. Millions of pilgrims come here at Maha Shivaratri festival.

Daksha Mahadev Temple History

As per mythology King Daksha Prajapati, the father of Sati, Shiva’s first wife, performed yajna at the place where the temple is situated. Although Sati felt insulted when her father did not invite Shiva to the ritual, she attended the yajna. She found that Shiva was being spurned by her father and she burnt herself in the Yajna Kunda itself. Shiva got angry and sent his Gaṇas, the terrible demi-god Virabhadra and Bhadrakali to the ritual. On the direction of Shiva, Virabhadra appeared with Shiva’s ganas in the midst of Daksha’s assembly like a storm wind and waged a fierce war with the gods and mortals present culminating in the beheading of Daksha, who was later given the head of a goat at the behest of Brahma and other gods. Much of the details of the Ashvamedha Yagna of Daksha are found in the Vayu Purana.

How To Reach Daksha Mahadev Temple

The temple is placed in Kankhal,4Km from Haridwar. One can reach at the temple by bus or taxi from Haridwar. Haridwar Railway Station is the nearest railway station is 03Km and Jolly Grant Airport is 35Km and Rishikesh is 30Km.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit in Daksha Mahadev Temple are February, March, August, September, October. Summers aren’t as hot as the rest of India, but they definitely are hot with cooler nights. Monsoons are beautiful too.