Baijnath– a beautiful town in Uttarakhand where burning effigies of Ravana causes death

In the lap of Katyuri valley of the Kumaon hills and 50 km from Dharamsala in Kangra district, is located in the town of Baijnath. It is 3707 above sea level at the left bank of Gomati River.
This destination is primarily favoured by the devotees of Lord Shiva for it has a very ancient temple of Lord Shiva in Kangra district, Baijnath is about 50 kilometres from Dharamshala. The shrine was constructed by the Kumaoni Katyuri king around 1150 A.D. Baijnath is supposed to be the capital of the Katyuri dynasty who ruled Uttaranchal during 12th and 13th centuries. Baijnath also called Kartikyapura. Baijnath, also known as Vaidyanath, ‘the Lord of physicians,’ is a temple bestowing remarkable spiritual benefits.

One striking aspect of Baijnath Shiva Temple is that its architecture is based on North Indian Nagara-style craftsmanship which resembles Dravidian-style architecture. For anyone who finds this strange, the answer lies in the belief that the king of Lanka, Ravana, had lived at this place for some time. In fact, the locals refrain from burning the effigies of Ravana on Dussehra because former attempt to do has resulted in death for those people.

Being a region steeped in ancient history, another legend related to Baijnath has to do with Bhim Shila. It is a round ball-shaped bounder weighing 70 kg or so in the temple premises. However, it is no ordinary boulder because none can lift it with his or her hands –it can be lifted a bit only by using 9 fingers of a single hand and chanting the number ‘9’ along with the act of lifting. How so, many of you may wonder. Well, legend has it that the Pandava prince and hero, Bhimasen, touched this boulder during his stay with his brothers in the region and somehow his powerful energies got shifted to the boulder. And voila! Baijnath got a mystical stone that is a wonder itself.

How to reach Baijnath

If you are looking forward to visit the temple, avoid Mondays. The town is accessible by roads and the nearest railway station is at Kathgodam. Air fliers, can reach by Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun and then take a taxi to reach Baijnath.