History and Legends of the Kapileshwar Mahadev Temple
Significant historical significance is attached to the stunning Kapileshwar Mahadev temple, which was constructed by the Katyuri dynasty and is thought to be thousands of years old. It is situated where the Shakuni and Fadka rivers converge, with the former flowing from Chaykhaan and the latter from Motia Pathar.
According to legend, a snake formerly called Mauna Temple and Kapileshwar Temple home. They made the decision one day to compete to see who could destroy the other’s temple faster. To destroy the temple, the snake from Kapileshwar travelled to Mauna, and the snake from Kapileshwar travelled to Mauna. The snake of Mauna destroyed the temple there, but the snake of Kapileshwar arrived there and declared triumph just as the snake of Mauna had set up the trap to destroy the temple of Kapileshwar. Knowing that the snake of Kapileshwar had won, the snake of Mauna peacefully left the area.
Architecture of the Kapileshwar Mahadev Temple
There are more than 200 stairs to climb in order to get to the main temple. Shiva, the Sun, and the Shivalinga are depicted in relief on a rock inside the cave.
Locals revere the Swayambhu Shiva Linga in the sanctum sanctorum. A self-built Shiva linga can be found inside the main temple. The right to worship in this temple belongs to the Nath tradition Goswami families. For many years, the Goswami family has performed religious services here. The craftsmanship of this temple is similar to that of the other Uttarakhand temples created in Kumaon because it was constructed in the usual Katyuri dynasty style. Built within this temple are light brown stones that can be found nearby. Here, various incarnations of Lord Shiva and Parvati Devi are worshipped.
The Archaeological Department has taken over the protection of this temple, and construction of a museum has started. The temple provides a beautiful perspective of Mauna-Lweshal, and the attractive setting makes you feel really happy and content.
Temple Location
Due to the availability of quick motorways, this town is also conveniently reachable from any location in the country. Tanakpur has the closest rail station to Pithoragarh. Taxis and buses to Pithoragarh are easily accessible from Tanakpur. Pantnagar Airport, which is 210 kilometres from Pithoragarh, is the closest airport. Taxis to Pithoragarh can be easily accessed from the airport.
The Kapileshwar Mahadev Temple is located in Pithoragarh (Soar Valley).
How to Reach
By Air : The nearest airport of Pithoragarh is Pantnagar airport (213 km )
By Train: The nearest railway station of Pithoragarh is Tanakpur (149 km) or Kathgodam near Haldwani
By Road: Pithoragarh and Kamakhya Devi Temple are separated by only a distance of roughly 10 kilometres. Pithoragarh’s distances from Kathgodam, Nainital, Delhi, and Tanakpur are 503 km, 330 km, 212 km, and 150 km respectively.
Kapileshwar Mahadev Temple is situated at a distance of about 3 km only from Pithoragarh.
Best Time To Visit
The journey of Kapileshwar Mahadev Temple can be done throughout the year, but the best time to visit here is between the months of October to May. Travelling here in these months is the best and enjoyable. During the winter season, the weather here is cold. Due to snowfall on the surrounding hills in the winter season, the temperature here goes down very much. Due to heavy rains in the rainy season, it is a bit difficult to travel here because of heavy rains threatening landslides.
Famous Temples and Places to Visit Near Kapileshwar Mahadev Mandir
- Kamakhya Mahadev Temple
- Nakuleshwar Temple
- Thal Kedar Temple
- Arjuneswar Temple
- Pithoragarh Fort
- Dhwaj Temple
- Gurna Mata Temple
- Mostamanu Temple
What is Kapileshwar Mahadev Temple Famous For?
- On the day of Shivratri, a grand fair is organised on this temple and awakening in the night.
- This Siva Temples has archaeological and historic significance
- It is one of the very renowned Shiv Temples of Uttarakhand
- One can get their wishes fulfilled here if prayed with utter belief
Tourists Can Visit Kapileshwar Mahadev Temple During Their Char Dham Yatra
A settlement in the state of Uttarakhand called the Pithoragarh district of the Kumaon region is a portion of the Soar Valley, which is likened to Kashmir Valley. Chandak Hill, Thal Kedar, Kumdar, and Dhwaj Hills surround this location in a stunning way. This location, which serves as a northern entrance to the Himalayas, serves as a rest and recuperation hub for pilgrims making their trek to Kailash Mansarovar. During the trip to Pithoragarh, tourists visit this holy temple. Kapileshwar Mahadev Temple is one of the main religious centres of attraction in Pithoragarh.
Now, travellers and pilgrims can travel to Chardhams by way of the Kumaon road. All yatris will receive Green Cards for this purpose from the Kumaon transport offices as well as the Haldwani transport office. R.T.O. Sanath Kumar Singh claims that as a result of the government’s decision, travellers who have come to the Kumaon region for vacations now have the option of taking the Chardham Yatra rather than a trip to Rishikesh. R.T.O. Sanath Kumar Singh further pointed out that, thanks to the government’s recent decision, Chardham Yatris will now be able to obtain Green Cards from all regions of Uttarakhand, as opposed to only the Haldwani Transport Office before the 2013 disaster struck. Currently, transport offices from Udham Singh Nagar to the border district Pithoragarh will be issuing green cards to yatris.
Manaskhand Mandir Mala Yojana
Significant Kumaon temples will be developed in accordance with the Manaskhand Mandir Mala Yojana on the model of Chardham. enhancing these temples’ aesthetics and expanding their infrastructure. so that religious tourism in the Kumaon region would continue to grow. The Kumaon region’s 29 temples have been chosen. In the Almora district, there are 15 temples that are significant historically and mythologically. However, as of right today, just six temples have been chosen and added to the plan.
Jageshwar Temple, Sun Temple Katarmal, Dhankar Sam Temple, Nanda Devi Temple, Kasar Devi Temple, Chitai Golu Temple, Naithana Devi Temple, Vindhyavasini Bandi Devi, Shiva Temple Takula, Ink Devi Temple Shitlakhet, Gananath Temple, Kapileshwar Temple, and Mundeshwar Mahadev are among the temples that the tourism department has donated to the government. The temple’s name, Bamanaswal temple, was taken.