Information of Baleshwar Temple, Champawat, Uttarakhand

Baleshwar Temple is an important ancient historical temple built for Hindu God Shiva. It is divinely located at Champawat District of Uttrakhand State in India. This temple is at a height of 1610 meters from the sea level and found in the Kumaun region of the lower Himalayan Mountains. This temple is more than 800 years old well known for its temple art in its entire stone structure. This temple is a great heritage site in the Uttrakhand State and well maintained by the Archeological Survey of India.

Baleshwar Temple Religious Significance

Lord Shiva is known as the Baleshwar, since the young Shiva is called the Baleshwar here. Apart from the main deity of Lord Shiva this temple has the deities of Champawati Durga and the God Ratneshwar. A natural spring water pond is found here which is called as the Naula. Many devotees drink this spring water as holy water. This temple is temple is not only visited by the Shivaties, but also the other sects of Hindu's do come here. This is a round the year pilgrim place and seen always filled with many devotees. The daily poojas are very important part of this temple and many do participate and conducts few special poojs for getting some revelations.

Baleshwar Temple Festival Significance

Baleshwar Temple celebrates the Maha Shivarathri as its main festival. On his occasion this temple is filled with thousands of pilgrims coming from various states and get blessing for Lord Shiva. The temple surroundings are filled with many vendors and stall on this special pooja day selling various art-crafts. All peoples who take Haridwar pilgrimage will also visit these temples on the Uttrakhand Festival which lasts for 2 months, either August to September. During this festival, lakhs of devotees comes here and get blessing from Balashwar or the Divine person.

Baleshwar Temple Mythology & History

The Hindus believe that the Himalayas were the abode of Lord Shiva and he has meditated all around these ranges. This temple is also built here for such importance to honor him in his heavenly abode on earth. As per historic record the Himalayan tribal's used to pray him for their protection in the mountain valleys from avalanches. In the medieval times these were converted in the famous pilgrim places.

Baleshwar Temple Architectural Significance

Baleshwar Temple was built by the Chand Dynasty who ruled the Kumaun region from 10-12 century AD. The architecture of this temple is highly appreciable; since no other temple has such stone art works in these mountains temples. This temple is built in the Hindu temple art form of those found in the south India. This is a granite stone structure and is uniquely carved in the Hindu designs. Each and every stone has minute details in it. There are also few inscriptions found on the stones. There are three temples built in the same compound. One is the female deity and the other two are built for male deities. These temples are really looking cute with a medium heights and shapes. These are found in square shapes and have a pyramid tower on the main Garbha Graha (sanctum sanctorum). The outer and the inner parts of this temple structure have many carved sculptors from the same stone blocks and these do have many frieze arts. There are lovely motifs run along this temple structures. There are few mandapas (Porch) built here with a pediments on it. The most important stone art is its ceiling inside the main temple. The upper tower under side has a remarkable carving works. These can be done by a highly skilled artisan only. Due to such presence of architecture this temple is listed in the heritage temple list of India.