Koteshwar Mahadev

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Koteshwar Mahadev
River Alaknanda flowing beside Koteshwar Mahadev Temple in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictRudraprayag
DeityShiva
FestivalsMahashivratri
Location
LocationKoteshwar
StateUttarakhand
CountryIndia
Koteshwar Mahadev is located in Uttarakhand
Koteshwar Mahadev
Location in Uttarakhand
Geographic coordinates30°17′N 78°59′E / 30.28°N 78.98°E / 30.28; 78.98
Architecture
TypeCave (artificial)
CreatorUnknown
CompletedUnknown
Elevation885 m (2,904 ft)
Idols of Koteshwar
Idols of Koteshwar Mahadev Temple
Koteshwar Temple Idols
Idols of Koteshwar Mahadev Temple

Koteshwar Mahadev Temple (Devanagari: कोटेश्वर महादेव) is a Hindu temple dedicated to lord Shiva, and is located approximately 3 kilometres (3,000 m) from the centre of the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, a little above the Alaknanda River.[1][2]

Legends[edit]

The location is presumed to be the spot where Lord Shiva had stopped for meditation on his way to Kedarnath. According to local mythology the temple has existed since the time of Bhasmasura.

This was the demon who turned to ashes anyone whose head he touched. Lord Shiva went into hiding to escape this threat, resting in various places before coming to the cave at Koteshwar Mahadev. Shiva rested here for some time, meditating, before confronting and defeating the demon. A similar legend is associated with Shrikhand Mahadev and Kinner Kailash in Himachal Pradesh.

Hospital[edit]

A modern 60-bed hospital is attached to the temple and serves the local population. This hospital is managed by the Jyotishpeethadheeshwar Jagatguru Shankracharya Swamy Madhavashram Charitable Trust.[3] [4]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Rudraprayag Temples – Temples in Rudraprayag
  2. ^ "Koteshwar Mahadev Temple | Koteshwar Mahadev Temple Photos | Rudraprayag Tourist Places". Archived from the original on 12 January 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  3. ^ Shankaracharya Madhvasharm Ji Maharaj Hospital Rudraprayag – YouTube
  4. ^ [1][permanent dead link]