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Baijnath Temple (Kangra)
It is a Holy pilgrimage center of the Hindus who keep coming to pay their respect to almost 1200 years old Mahadev temple. This temple is among oldest Shiva temples in the country, believed to have been built by the Pandavas. The Lingam (known as Vidyanath), one of the twelve Joytrilingamas in India, is installed in the Adytum.
The Shivratri fair held near this remarkable monument, with the majestic backdrop of the snow covered Dhauladhar range, draws several thousand pilgrims every year. Baijnath is 16 km from Palampur and 132 km from Pathankot and also connected by narrow gauge rail line.
By the roadside on the Mandi-Palampur road, within a vast enclosure is the Baijnath Temple. Known as Kirangama, its name was changed after the temle was dedicated to Lord Shiva in his form as vaidyanath or the lord of Physicians. The temple is a good exaple of the Nagari style of architecture. The walls have the characteristic niches and the Shikhara ( tower ) has an amalaka and enshrine images of goddess Chamunda, Surya the Sun God, Kartikeya, son of Lord Shiva. A life sized stone Nandi, believed to be the carrier of Lord Shiva stands at the entrance. Also are other miniature shrines and memorial stones within the complex said to have been built around 804 A.D. The Lingam enshrined in its sanctum is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in the country. Every year during the Shivratri Fair, pilgrims descend on Baijnath for the colorful fair and festivals.
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