Jageshwar Dham is one of the most remarkable temple sites in the Himalaya: more than a hundred small and large stone temples of Shiva, packed together in a narrow valley of tall deodar trees beside the Jata Ganga stream. It lies about 35 km from Almora at about 1,870 m in the Kumaon hills.
Most of the temples were built between roughly the 7th and 14th centuries, in the tall, curved nagara style. The site is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, which runs a small museum of old stone sculptures beside it. Yet it is also a living temple: pujas, aartis and rudrabhishek go on all day in the main shrines, and the valley fills with pilgrims in the month of Shravan.
The story of Jageshwar
Jageshwar is linked in local tradition and in some Puranic texts with the beginning of Shiva worship in the form of the linga. Many devotees here believe it is the seat of Nageshwar, the eighth of the twelve Jyotirlingas, described in a verse as standing 'in the Daruka forest' - the deodar forest of this valley. Other places in India, such as Nageshwar near Dwarka in Gujarat, make the same claim, so it is best understood as a strongly held local belief.
Another tradition says the Adi Shankaracharya came here and restored many temples before going on to Kedarnath. Historians note that some of the temples are older than his time, but the story is still told by every priest in the valley.
Why go to Jageshwar
A whole valley of temples
More than a hundred stone shrines, from tiny ones to tall towers, in one forest complex.
Deodar forest
Some of the deodar trees around the temples are hundreds of years old; the valley is cool and quiet.
Old Himalayan art
Carved doorways and a museum of stone sculptures from about the 9th to 14th centuries.
Main things to see
Jageshwar main temple
The main Jyotirlinga shrine, with tall stone guardians at the door.
Mrityunjaya temple
One of the largest temples in the group, where many devotees perform the Mahamrityunjaya jaap.
Dandeshwar temples
A second group of about fifteen temples a little before the main complex.
ASI museum
Old stone images of gods and the metal statue of the 'Pona king'. Free entry, closed on Fridays.
Distances from Jageshwar
Timings and entry
- The temples are open from early morning to evening every day; no entry ticket is needed for darshan.
- Aarti is held in the morning and evening; ask at the temple office for the day's timing.
- The ASI museum is open roughly 10 am to 5 pm, closed on Fridays, and entry is free.
- Rudrabhishek and other pujas can be booked at the temple office.
Before you go
- Do not climb on or lean against the old temples; they are protected monuments.
- Photography inside the main sanctum is not allowed.
- Shravan (July-August) and Mahashivratri are very crowded.
- Nights are cold from November to February; carry warm clothes.
- There are a few dhabas and shops at the complex; ATMs are in Almora.
Jageshwar Dham FAQs
How many temples are there in Jageshwar?
More than a hundred in the main Jageshwar and Dandeshwar groups. Counts vary between about 125 and 150 depending on how small shrines are counted.
Is Jageshwar a Jyotirlinga?
Many devotees believe Jageshwar is the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga. Other places in India make the same claim, so it is a matter of faith rather than settled history.
How far is Jageshwar from Almora?
About 35 km by road, 1-1.5 hours.
When is the Jageshwar museum closed?
On Fridays. It is open about 10 am to 5 pm on other days, with free entry.
How old are the Jageshwar temples?
Most were built between about the 7th and 14th centuries.
