In this temple, an eternal fire burns from the time of Lord Shiva’s wedding

India is the land of temples, miracles, legends, and lores. And in India there are sacred places so holy and divine, that going there is a dream for many. From temples that worship white mice, to temple fairs that celebrate menstruation, and from idols and murtis that turn boiling water cold to sacred fires that have been lit up for centuries, there is something unique about every Indian temple.

A sacred fire

And in the ‘n’ number of temples, we see all around, there is a small temple in Uttarakhand where the fire that officiated Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati’s marriage is still burning bright, getting the name of ‘Akhand Dhuni’ or eternal fire.
It is said that this sacred fire witnessed and officiated their divine union and is an eternal symbol of love, devotion, and divine connection.

Where is it?

Triyuginarayan, spelled locally as ‘Trijuginarayan’, is in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand and has beautiful and breathtaking views of the Himalayas. The temple is at a quaint location, filled with peace and calm, and overtime the road to the temple has improved and bikes and cars can reach the temple easily.
The way to the temple is also scenic and beautiful with beautiful trees, flowers, and wildlife on the way.

The legend of Triyuginarayan

According to Hindu beliefs, Triyuginarayan is the site and temple where Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati tied the knot. Their wedding was not just an ordinary event but a divine ceremony that was attended by the greatest Gurus, saints, sages, and Gods.
The wedding is said to have been officiated by Lord Brahma, and Lord Vishnu played the role of Maa Parvati’s brother. It is believed that he took the responsibility of performing Maa Parvati’s kanyadaan.

A divine love story

As for the wedding of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati, it is said that Maa Parvati was an incarnation of Goddess Sati, and had to perform intense meditation and penance to win Lord Shiva’s love and companionship. After years of worship, Lord Shiva finally agreed to marry her, and their divine wedding was attended by all the Gods, the Devtas, the Asuras, the celestial beings and Apsaras, the saints and sages, and many more people.

And as common with every Indian temple where a fire is lit around which the couple circumambulates 7 times, the sacred fire lit during Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati’s wedding is burning even today, as the Akhand Dhuni, the eternal fire.
And as the 'Akhand Dhuni' has been burning for thousands of years, it is one of the highlights of the temple. It is kept alive with wood offerings by priests and devotees who visit the temple and it is said that any couple who does their ‘pheras’ around this fire stay together eternally.

Modern weddings in Triyuginarayan

Ever since the push for ‘Wed in India’ grew strong and people realised and got to know about the characteristics of the Triyuginarayan temple and how Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati got married here, there has been a trend for people to get married in the temple. Young couples are booking their space in the temple months in advance , wishing to take their ‘pheras’ where Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati did, and transform themselves into an eternal couple just like them.


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