Bagnath Temple, Bageshwar — the Shiva shrine at the Sarayu–Gomati confluence
What it is
The Bagnath Temple, a complex of Shiva shrines, is the ancient temple of Bageshwar, standing at the confluence of the Sarayu and Gomati rivers at about 1,004 m. Wikipedia says the town of Bageshwar is named after it, and that it is hung with bells of all sizes and carved with fine figures.
Photos: pramod nagher (CC BY 3.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
History
By Hindu legend the sage Markandeya worshipped Shiva here and Shiva appeared to him as a tiger. Some sources place the temple's origin in the 7th century, but the present nagara-style building was raised in 1450 by the Chand ruler Laxmi Chand. The images inside date from the 7th century to the 16th, and the temple is protected by the state archaeology department.
The fair
The Uttarayani fair, held in January at Makar Sankranti, is the town's great festival, with a bath at the confluence before dawn and an offering of water to Shiva.
Getting there
Bageshwar is about 38 km and 77 minutes from Kausani by road on our routing; Wikipedia says about 40 km. We have no verified opening hours; dress modestly and ask before photographing.
Combine it with
The Baijnath temples are on the way. The one-day plan puts them in order; read how to reach Kausani, when to visit and things to do in Kausani.
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Questions people ask
What is the Bagnath Temple?
An ancient Shiva shrine in Bageshwar, at the confluence of the Sarayu and Gomati rivers, at about 1,004 m. Wikipedia says the town takes its name from it. The present building in the nagara style dates from 1450, under the Chand ruler Laxmi Chand, and the carvings inside date from the 7th to the 16th century.
When is Bageshwar busiest?
At the Uttarayani fair, held in January at Makar Sankranti, when devotees bathe before daybreak at the confluence and then offer water to Shiva in the temple. Wikipedia says the town also holds fairs at Shivratri and Dussehra. Expect crowds and a very cold dawn at the fair; we have no verified opening hours.
How far is Bageshwar from Kausani?
About 38 km and 77 minutes by road on our routing, matching Wikipedia's figure of about 40 km. Bageshwar is the district headquarters, 332 km from Dehradun and 470 km from Delhi by Wikipedia's account. Baijnath lies on the road between the two, so most visitors see both on the same day.