Baijnath, Uttarakhand
Encyclopedia
Baijnath is a small town on the banks of the Gomti River
in the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand
, India. The place is most noted for its ancient temples.
, who ruled the area from 7th-11th century AD., then it was known as Kartikeyapura and lies in the centre of 'Katyur' valley; in 1901 it is was a small village with a population of 148.
There is a famous Baijnath Mandir (Lord Shiva) on the bank of the river which is said to have been built by the Kumaon Katyuri king in around 1150 A.D. and it was Capital of the Katyuri dynasty of kings who ruled Uttaranchal during 12th and 13th century, Baijnath was once known as Kartikyapura. One of the most important places to visit in Baijnath is the historically and religiously significant Baijnath Temple constructed in the twelfth century. The temple holds significance because, according to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva and Parvati were married at the confluence of River Gomati and Garur Ganga. Dedicated to SivaVaidyanatha, the Lord of Physicians, the Baijnath temple is actually a temples’ complex built by the Katyuri kings with the idols of Shiva, Ganesh, Parvati, Chandika, Kuber, Surya and Brahma. Also the town of Baijnath draws its name from the temple. Situated on the left bank of the Gomti River at an elevation of 1126 mts, the temples are constructed in stone. The main temple that houses a beautiful idol of Parvati is chiseled in black stone. The temple is approached from the riverside by a flight of steps made of stones constructed by the orders of a Katyuri queen. On the way to the main temple, just below the house of the Mahanta, is the temple of Bamani. Legend goes that the temple was built by a Brahmin woman and dedicated to Lord Shiva.
[edit] Commerce and tourism.
An artificial lake building near the temple compound is on the cards and soon it would be ready. Immediately outside the temple complex there lies a lake full of fishes "Golden Mahaseer" and fishing is strictly restricted at this site and is a major tourist attraction where you will find tourist offering chana to fishes.
There is good lodging and boarding facilities at Baijnath which offers good and budget accommodation at the state run Tourist Reception Centre and good rooms with all modern amenities can be availed at very cheap rates. Its booking can be done from KMVN Delhi office (Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited). It is the last recognised tourist rest house / budget accommodation in Kumaon hills prior to entering Gwaldam in Chamoli District in Garhwal.
The chief occupations of its inhabitants are agriculture, retired and serving defence personnel, petty shopkeepers and tea stall owners, teachers, fix point small scale taxi services operators.
The nearby market is Garur which is supposed to be one of the oldest in the region (since pre-independence days of the British Rule in India, but the market expanded during 1970 to 2010 with the efforts of social worker and industrialist K D Pandey. Primarily, Garur is the last recognised and biggest Kumaon market prior to entering Garhwal via Kumaon enroute to Garur Gwaldam road.
A discussion is being held on laying a railway track between Tanakpur to Bageshwar which if materialised would bring this place on national connectivity. Congress as well as ruling BJP is supporting this cause.
Gomti River
The Gomti, Gumti or Gomati River is a tributary of the Ganges River. According to Hindu mythology the river is the daughter of Sage Vashist, and bathing in the waters of the Gomati on Ekadashi can wash away one's sins...
in the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand , formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Land of Gods due to the many holy Hindu temples and cities found throughout the state, some of which are among Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious places of pilgrimage and worship...
, India. The place is most noted for its ancient temples.
History
Baijnath has remained the capital of Katyuri KingsKatyuri Kings
The Katyuri Kings were a medieval ruling clan of Uttarakhand believed to have descended from Shalivahan ruler from Ayodhya. This links them with Suryavansha...
, who ruled the area from 7th-11th century AD., then it was known as Kartikeyapura and lies in the centre of 'Katyur' valley; in 1901 it is was a small village with a population of 148.
There is a famous Baijnath Mandir (Lord Shiva) on the bank of the river which is said to have been built by the Kumaon Katyuri king in around 1150 A.D. and it was Capital of the Katyuri dynasty of kings who ruled Uttaranchal during 12th and 13th century, Baijnath was once known as Kartikyapura. One of the most important places to visit in Baijnath is the historically and religiously significant Baijnath Temple constructed in the twelfth century. The temple holds significance because, according to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva and Parvati were married at the confluence of River Gomati and Garur Ganga. Dedicated to SivaVaidyanatha, the Lord of Physicians, the Baijnath temple is actually a temples’ complex built by the Katyuri kings with the idols of Shiva, Ganesh, Parvati, Chandika, Kuber, Surya and Brahma. Also the town of Baijnath draws its name from the temple. Situated on the left bank of the Gomti River at an elevation of 1126 mts, the temples are constructed in stone. The main temple that houses a beautiful idol of Parvati is chiseled in black stone. The temple is approached from the riverside by a flight of steps made of stones constructed by the orders of a Katyuri queen. On the way to the main temple, just below the house of the Mahanta, is the temple of Bamani. Legend goes that the temple was built by a Brahmin woman and dedicated to Lord Shiva.
[edit] Commerce and tourism.
Geography
Baijnath is located at 29.92°N 79.62°E. It has an average elevation of 1,130 metres (3,707 feet).An artificial lake building near the temple compound is on the cards and soon it would be ready. Immediately outside the temple complex there lies a lake full of fishes "Golden Mahaseer" and fishing is strictly restricted at this site and is a major tourist attraction where you will find tourist offering chana to fishes.
There is good lodging and boarding facilities at Baijnath which offers good and budget accommodation at the state run Tourist Reception Centre and good rooms with all modern amenities can be availed at very cheap rates. Its booking can be done from KMVN Delhi office (Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited). It is the last recognised tourist rest house / budget accommodation in Kumaon hills prior to entering Gwaldam in Chamoli District in Garhwal.
The chief occupations of its inhabitants are agriculture, retired and serving defence personnel, petty shopkeepers and tea stall owners, teachers, fix point small scale taxi services operators.
The nearby market is Garur which is supposed to be one of the oldest in the region (since pre-independence days of the British Rule in India, but the market expanded during 1970 to 2010 with the efforts of social worker and industrialist K D Pandey. Primarily, Garur is the last recognised and biggest Kumaon market prior to entering Garhwal via Kumaon enroute to Garur Gwaldam road.
A discussion is being held on laying a railway track between Tanakpur to Bageshwar which if materialised would bring this place on national connectivity. Congress as well as ruling BJP is supporting this cause.