The brilliant temple complex of Baijnath is situated in the town of Baijnath and displays a beautiful collection of 18 Hindu shrines. Situated in the district of Bageshwar the complex is perched on an elevation of 1,125 metres above sea level and along the holy Gomti River. The significance of the temples lies in the fact that it is one of those rare temples where Parvati is depicted together with lord Shiva. The intricate architecture represents the typical 9th century styles of the Katyuri rulers here. If you want to truly have an experience here then visiting the temple during the holy eve of Shivratri or Makar Sankranti is advised.
When the Katyuri rulers had shifted their capitals from Joshimath to Kartikeyapura, they were followed by a huge crowd of followers of the Shaivas sects communities like Vairagi, Jangam, Sanyasi etc. the king wanted to make them feel at home and properly rehabilitated them in a good and welcoming environment. This is why the temple complex was created and numerous inscriptions that date back to as early as 1202 AD have been found from within the temple compound. Later on the Chand dynasty also worked hard in maintaining and renovating it and preserving the legacy. You will be able to see a destroyed Shikara on the main shrine of the temple which was the result of a plunder in the temple by the Rohillas. The interesting history makes it a place of immense historical significance.
The Baijnath temple complex is considered to hold immense significance for the Shaivites community for being 1 of the 12 jyotirlingas that pan all over the country. The Shiv Lingas present inside the temple are said to have been formed on its own and naturally from earth. The idol here inside the shrine is very unique since it is carved out of a black stone along with the carvings of 32 other deities done using the same variety of stone. Some of the folk lore about the temple depict that it was once made by a Brahmin woman who had dedicated it to Lord Shiva while other speculations about the place say that lord Shiva had married goddess Parvati on the confluence of Garur Ganga and Gomati where the temple complex now stands.
Located just opposite to the main entrance of the temple complex is a small garden – like feature that contains a massive stone weighing around 3 tons in the centre. This unique looking stone is called ‘Bhim Pathar’ which according to local stories was once carried by the strongest Pandav Bhim, hence the name. the locals believe that only Bhim has the capacity to lift the stone by himself so this place witnesses a number of people trying to lift the rock on their own.
The easiest and the most convenient ways of reaching the Baijnath group of temple complex is going via Kausani which is situated at a distance of 16 kms from here. You can first of all reach Delhi and find a state run bus or a Volvo bus heading for Kausani. The closes railway station is situated in Kathgodam from where Baijnath is 148 kms away. You hire cabs or get on the bus ride for Kausani and Baijnath which will take 2 to 3 hours to reach.
Being situated at a height the best time will be to visit during the summer months of April to June and will make for an ideal summer getaway on the hills. The temperature remains at a pleasant degree and allows you to go out and explore the nature more. You must avoid travelling on the hills during the monsoon seasons since this will cause a hinderance to your plans. If you are looking to have a quieter getaway option and an offbeat experience for a holiday then you must visit this place during the winter months, and if lucky you may even get to have a snow white winter.
The town of Baijnath is a very tiny hamlet with a very limited number of stay options available. Do not expect any luxurious villas here since the accommodation facilities are made primarily for the pilgrim folks that form the majority of the tourists for the temple. You will be able to find some decent hotels at budget prices or you can even opt for a stay at the KMVN guesthouse that comes with several other facilities at the cheapest rates. However remember that people mostly visit Baijnath as a part of their excursion from Kausani so you can also choose to stay there since there are a lot more variety of hotels and accommodation options available there. When it comes to food, you will be able to get the basic north Indian and Chinese foo items at the Dhabas or road side restaurants or cafes here. You can even try the local Pahadi cuisines which are very delicious as well.
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