How to reach: By road: If you are on a backpacking trip, you can take the Uttarakhand Roadways buses from ISBT in Anand Vihar in New Delhi. The journey takes about 10–12 hours via NH 24, which connects Delhi to Rampur via Hapur. At Rampur, you need to turn north on NH 87, which will take you to Almora. The Nageshwar jyotirlinga temple is located at a distance of 37 km. from Almora. You can take a cab or bus to reach the temple. Buses for Almora leave from Delhi’s ISBT Anand Vihar every 45 min between 5:30 am and 7:30 pm.
By Train: You can take a train up to Kathgodam, the nearest railway station which is located 90 km away from Almora. The best way to go forward is to hire a cab from Kathgodam to Almora.
By Air: The nearest airport is located at Pantnagar, about 110 km from Almora, which is usually a 4-hour drive. The Pantnagar Airport is less of a commercial airport and used more by private charters.
Season to Visit: The place gets good amount of rainfall during the monsoon, summers are mild and temperatures are always comfortable and pleasant & the winters are generally frosty during the peak winter season.
That’s why the jageshwar temple can be visited throughout the year. But as a prominent sightseeing and attraction the best months or season to visit there coincides with that of the destination itself - Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec are considered the best time to visit jageshwar temple.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 01: Delhi to Almora - (Approx 340.0 km/
Nageshvara Jyotirlinga tour guide – An ancient heritage spot
Nageshvara Jyotirlinga tour guide: Overview
The Nageshvara Jyotirlinga temple in Almora, Uttarakhand is commonly identified as “Jageshwar”. Nageshvara Jyotirlinga is located among a cluster of 124 large and small historical stone temples in Jageshwar, Almora district, Uttarakhand. Once the centre of Lakulish Shaivism, Jageshwar is located at an altitude of 1870 mts, in the Jataganga river valley near a Deodar forest (Cedrus deodara) starting from Artola village on Almora-Pithoragarh highway, where two streams Nandini and Surabhi flow down the hills in the narrow valley and meet near the sacred spot.
Jageshwar Temple located in the Almora district of Uttarakhand is truly a divine and religious spot for tourists. The temple is famous for its ancient Shiva Temple. The temple has great significance in Hindu mythology. The climate attracts lots of visitors round the year.
Why you must visit “Nageshvara Jyotirlinga”?
The temple city comprises a cluster of 124 large and small stone temples, dating 9th to 13th century AD,
Most Hindus believe that Jageshwar is the place of Nagesh, 8th among the Dwadasa Jyotirlingas (the twelve resplendent lingas of Shiva established by Vishnu), which is stated to exist in the forest of Deodar or daruka . An Akhand Jyoti burns in the temple and there are two Asthadhatu statues of Chand Kings Deep chand and Tripalchand in the standing posture behind the Shivlinga. Jageshwar is the 8th Jyotirling among the Twelve and has great religious value. Believed to be the site of the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, Nageshvara Jyotirlinga, Jageshwar holds the 'Jageshwar Monsoon Festival' during the Hindu calendar month of Shravan and the annual 'Maha Shivratri Mela' (Shivratri festival) during spring.
What is unique in “Nageshvara Jyotirlinga”?
Over 25 inscriptions of different periods are inscribed on the walls and pillars of the Jageshwar temples. Most of these belong to the period between of the 7th century AD to 10th century AD. The dialect of inscriptions is Sanskrit and Brahmi. These are studied by D.C. Sarkar in Epigraphica indica.
The temples architecture belongs to the Nagara style, characterized by a tall curved spire surmounted by an amalaka (capstone) and a kalasha crown. Most of the temples enshrine a stone lingam, surrounded by stone sculptures of various deities. The pilgrimage to Jageshwar was considered as sacred as the famous chardham yatra. It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya visited Jageshwar and renovated and re-established many temples before leaving for Kedarnath. The Samsan ghat of Jageshwar is also the cremation ground of the erstwhile Chand Kings.
Nearby places to visit in Nageshwar Jyotirlinga temple
River: The River Sam Ganga, Jata Ganga River
Cave: Airavat Gufa, Patal Bhuvaneshwar Caves
Temples: Sri Kuber Temple, Batuk Bhairav Temple, Golu Devata at Chitai, Kot Linga Temple & Jhankar Sam temple
Kund: Brahma Kund
How to reach Nageshwar jyotirlinga Almora Uttarakhand
By road: If you are on a backpacking trip, you can take the Uttarakhand Roadways buses from ISBT in Anand Vihar in New Delhi. The journey takes about 10–12 hours via NH 24, which connects Delhi to Rampur via Hapur. At Rampur, you need to turn north on NH 87, which will take you to Almora. The Nageshwar jyotirlinga temple is located at a distance of 37 km. from Almora. You can take a cab or bus to reach the temple. Buses for Almora leave from Delhi’s ISBT Anand Vihar every 45 min between 5:30 am and 7:30 pm.
By Train: You can take a train up to Kathgodam, the nearest railway station which is located 90 km away from Almora. The best way to go forward is to hire a cab from Kathgodam to Almora.
By Air: The nearest airport is located at Pantnagar, about 110 km from Almora, which is usually a 4-hour drive. The Pantnagar Airport is less of a commercial airport and used more by private charters.
Nageshwar jyotirlinga story
The folklore in the regions around Jageshwar tells us a gripping story about building the Main temple Near Kot Linga Temple Complex. Shiva selected this place to be his abode. During the Tapasya by Shiva, Demons obstruct His penance. Then God "Sam" comes into being as Trinetra and send His Ganas to kill the demons. It is believed that Sam will come to Kot Linga temple premises to save humanity and Jageshwar in Kalyuga. Adi Shankacharya tried to build the maim temple at Kotlinga but to no avail as Sam wanted Kotlinga to be specifically reserved for the meditation of Shiva. Old ruins of a temple structure can be found near Kotlinga. Local people still believe that Sam or Lakulisha, the Lord with a stick shall come and built the real Jageshwar temple near Kotlinga and thus save the mankind from adversities of Kalyuga.
Nageshwar jyotirlinga (Jageshwar) climate
The climatic conditions in the town of Jageshwar can be classified as sub tropical
The winter season (December to February): The temperatures range from a minimum of 4°C and can go up to a maximum of around 15°C. The place experiences a cold breeze during the winter months as well. Snowfall can also be expected during the winter season.
The summer season (April to June): The maximum temperature that you can expect during the summer season is around 30°C. The lowest possible temperature is around 15°C. One can expect rainfall during the summer season as well.
The Monsoon season (July to September): The town of Jageshwar is extensive and the place gets significant rainfall from. The conditions are cool and the rainfall during this time is extremely heavy. The months of October and November are dry and the conditions are mild. This forms the post monsoon season.
When to visit Nageshwar jyotirlinga (Jageshwar)
The place gets good amount of rainfall during the monsoon, summers are mild and temperatures are always comfortable and pleasant & the winters are generally frosty during the peak winter season.
That’s why the jageshwar temple can be visited throughout the year. But as a prominent sightseeing and attraction the best months or season to visit there coincides with that of the destination itself - Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec are considered the best time to visit jageshwar temple.
Fare & festivals in Nageshwar jyotirlinga (Jageshwar)
The town folk believe that Jageshwar is the place of Nagesh among the forest of Deodar, 8th among the Dwadasa Jyotirlingas: the twelve resplendent lingas of Lord Shiva established by Lord Vishnu.
The ‘ Jageshwar Monsoon Festival ‘, held between 15 July to 15 August takes place at Jageshwar during the Hindu calendar month of Shravan, and the annual ‘Maha Shivratri Mela’ (Shivratri festival), which takes place during spring has an important place in the calendar of the entire Kumaon region.
Nageshwar jyotirlinga nearest railway station
The nearest railway station to jageshwar temple is Pirumadara Railway Station which is 43 km away from Jageshwar Temple.
