Tapkeshwar Temple — the cave temple of Shiva in Dehradun
What it is
Tapkeshwar, also called Tapkeshwar Mahadev, is a Shiva temple in Dehradun on the bank of a stream, beside a forest. It is built on top of a natural cave, and the cave holds the temple's main shivalinga. Water trickles down from the cave's ceiling and drops on the linga, which is why the shrine has its name.
Photos: Rajatkantib (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
The story
Tradition says the cave was once the home of Dronacharya, the Mahabharata's teacher of the Pandava and Kaurava princes, and it carries his name as Drona Cave. The story goes that his wife Kalyani could not feed their newborn son Ashwatthama, and that when Dronacharya could not afford a cow, Ashwatthama prayed to Shiva, who fed him milk dripping from the linga.
Visiting
It is about 7 km and 12 minutes from the city centre by road on our routing. Before going in, pilgrims wash in the sulphur springs close to the temple. The temple is a place of worship, so dress modestly and ask before taking photographs inside the cave.
Festivals
A fair is held for more than a week at Mahashivratri, and devotees also come in the month of Shravan. Wikipedia says the temple keeps longer hours in Shravan; check the timings before you travel.
Combine it with
Robber's Cave and the Forest Research Institute are both a short drive away; the one-day plan can be extended to include Tapkeshwar. Read things to do in Dehradun.
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Questions people ask
What is Tapkeshwar Temple?
A Shiva temple on the bank of a stream, built over a natural cave that holds the main shivalinga. Water trickles from the cave roof onto the linga. Tradition says Dronacharya, who taught the Pandava and Kaurava princes, lived in the cave, and it is named Drona Cave for him.
When is the Tapkeshwar fair?
On Mahashivratri, when a fair is held at the temple for over a week and devotees come from many places. Wikipedia says the temple is also busy in the month of Shravan, and that it is open every day, with longer hours in Shravan. Check the temple's current timings before you go.
How far is Tapkeshwar from Dehradun?
About 7 km and 12 minutes by road from the city centre on our routing. According to Wikipedia, pilgrims wash in the sulphur springs close to the temple before entering. It is an easy half-day with the Forest Research Institute or Robber's Cave, and it is crowded on Mondays and festival days.