The Baijnath temples — the Katyuri stone shrines on the Gomati near Kausani
What it is
Baijnath is a small town on the left bank of the Gomati river in the Katyur valley, in the Bageshwar district. Wikipedia says it is best known for its ancient temples, recognised as monuments of national importance. It was once called Kartikeyapura and was the capital of the Katyuri kings.
Photos: Jaiambey (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Yann (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
The temples
The group stands on the river bank and dates, tradition says, from about 1150 AD under the Katyuri kings. The main temple is dedicated to Shiva as Vaidyanatha, the lord of physicians, and the complex holds idols of Shiva, Ganesha, Parvati, Chandika, Kuber, Surya and Brahma. Hindu tradition places the wedding of Shiva and Parvati at the meeting of the Gomati and the Garur Ganga. An artificial lake beside the compound was opened in January 2016.
Getting there
By road it is about 17 km and 41 minutes from Kausani on our routing, on the road to Bageshwar. We have no verified opening hours; it is a place of worship, so dress modestly and ask before photographing.
Combine it with
The Bagnath Temple in Bageshwar is further along the same road. The one-day plan takes both; read things to do in Kausani and when to visit Kausani.
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Questions people ask
What are the Baijnath temples?
A group of ancient stone temples on the left bank of the Gomati river in the Katyur valley, built by the Katyuri kings. The main temple is to Shiva as Vaidyanatha, the lord of physicians, and Wikipedia dates it to around 1150 AD. The group has also idols of Ganesha, Parvati, Chandika, Kuber, Surya and Brahma.
What is the history of Baijnath?
It was called Kartikeyapura and was the capital of the Katyuri kings, who ruled parts of Garhwal, Kumaon and Doti from the 7th to the 13th century, by Wikipedia's account. The temples are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India as monuments of national importance, and the town is part of the state's Shiva heritage circuit.
How far is Baijnath from Kausani?
About 17 km and 41 minutes by road from Kausani on our routing, on the road towards Bageshwar, which Wikipedia places about 20 km from Baijnath. Local legend places the wedding of Shiva and Parvati here, where the Gomati meets the Garur Ganga. We have no verified opening hours; ask locally.