At a Glance :

Region : Himachal Pradesh, Kangra district from Palampur about sixteen kilometers

Major Attractive Feature: Shivratri fair

Comprise : Kirangam or Baijnath temple

Popular As : Hindu Pilgrimage

Baijnath temple is one of the identifiable images of Himachal Pradesh state. This pilgrimage is located in the Beas Valley; if you go towards Baijnath from Nagarkot's eastern side then you need to cover a distance of twenty three miles. This temple is very near to the Mandi border, it lies on the route of Punjab via Kulu, Kangra, Ladakh and Lahul. Baijnath pilgrimage is famous as Kirangama, but when it was committed to Lord Shiva this temple's name was replaced. This temple is committed to Lord Shiva's Vaidyanath form. If you are waiting to experience architectural work of Nagri style then your trip to Baijnath would be worthy for you. The temple contains adytum or puri, from outside its size is eighteen feet and inside it is about eight feet, prevailed through common conical shapes spire. Here you can also see the front hall or mandapa, which is about twenty feet broad from inside and it has been wrapped through a roof that has a shape of a low pyramid.

Baijnath pilgrimage has a small ancient shrine that includes a linga called as Vaidyanatha; you need to pass by a tiny anteroom to enter inside this small shrine with the help of 2 pillars. The sacred linga is stored in a sanctum; this lingam is one of the nation's twelve jyotirlingas. Mandapa's roof is patronized through 4 strong and huge pillars that are linked through lifted benches, because of these pillars a small passage is formed which takes you to the sanctum's entrance. The architecture artist has separated the temple's ceiling in 9 compartments, every compartment has been closed through corbelling slabs. On the Mandapa's front side there is a veranda that has 4 columns. The shape of Fergusson remarks and ray pillars is cylinderical with a classic look. The base portion displays that this part is different from the classical design. Baijnath temple 2 toruses, square plinth and the hollow or cavetto also come under the classical design but unfortunately it remained hidden through Hindu ornamentation. The northern and southern walls of the Mandapa are decorated through a glowing balcony window. Mandapa's 4 corners are massive due to strong buttress such as miniature sikhara temples, every corner comprise of 2 slots that includes picture slabs. You can also see the smaller slots that showcase the chapels in corner projections, balcony windows and entrance. During the rule of Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch Baijnath temple had experienced a number of reinstatement; but during the year of 1892, when Sir Aurel Stein practiced individual inspection of this temple, he had explained his view that the structure of the temple has not faced major alterations as previous describers' state.

He had also mentioned that the small shrine's doorway is still adorned through goddess river's pictures as specified in inscription. You can observe, that only the roof of the shrine is made in modern style and as per the regional clerics, this temple was repaired during Maharaja Sansar Chand II's days. At the temples entrance , you will get to see a huge stone Nandi, which is the most prevalent element that can be always seen in Lord Shiva's temple. There are also some more memorial stones and miniature shrines inside the complex of the temple that has been constructed in almost 804 century. This Baijnath temple is located at an unbelievable place; because of 4th April 1905's dangerous earthquake this temple had some light damages. The live destroyed example can be seen adjoined at Sidhnath temple, this small temple is totally destroyed. If you want to see the faith of a huge number of devotes towards this temple then you must visit the Baijnath during the Shivratri festival, the entire temple becomes colorful and holistic during this festival.

Visit :

Reaching this pilgrimage is not a difficult thing, you can easily reach here from Pathankot by coving one hundred thirty two kilometers distance and from Palampur it is only sixteen kilometers away. From Kullu and Kangra also you can travel towards Baijnath pilgrimage.

Stay :

Kangra is a very developed region that offers luxurious accommodation facilities. At Palampur also you will find hotels.