Tapkeshwar Temple, Dehradun

Tapkeshwar Temple in Dehradun, also known as Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple, is one of the most famous temples dedicated to Shiva. Situated by the forest side, the main shivalinga at the temple is inside a natural cave. Water drops from the ceiling of the cave trickle down over the shivalinga in a continuous downpour, making for an interesting spectacle.

The Tapkeshwar Mahadeva Temple owes its importance due to a natural Shiva Linga in a cave nearby. Long back the river flowed through the caves and continuous water droplets fell on the Shiv Linga. This became a place of reverence for the local people. It is also believed that this was used as a residence by Guru Dronacharya, the esteemed teacher of the Pandavas and Kauravas of the Hindu epic Mahabharata written by Ved Vyas. The cave is thus named Drona Cave after his name.

Tourists in Dehradun visit Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple located at a distance of 6 km from the main city. Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple is widely popular as a pilgrimage site in Dehradun. The beautiful temple of Lord Shiva established between the two hills attracts hundreds of tourists from inside and around Dehradun all round the year. Travellers from and around Uttarakhand pay visit to Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple for its religious significance and adventurers go there to see the water drops dripping on the Shiva ling in Drona cave, which is a spectacular sight. The water that drops down vanishes underground and can be seen few yards away in the form of a stream. In Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple, cool sulphur-water springs where devoted pilgrims take bath before entering the temple.

A large festival is held on Shivratri day around the Tapkeshwar temple. People in large numbers participate in the fair organized on the occasion of Shivratri and pay their obeisance to the deity every year. Drona Cave, surrounded by beautiful hills, is usually covered with picnickers from Dehradun and nearby districts.

Holy tree next to Tapkeshwar Temple parking lot.

An old man naps in the sun.

Entrance gate next to the temple car park.

Access ramp to the temple.

Small shrine on the left side of the temple access ramp.
On the left side we can see Nandi, Shiva bull. Inside the shrine we can see Shiva lingam.

Nandi is the bull mount (vahana) of the Hindu god Shiva. He is also the guardian deity of Kailash, the abode of Shiva. Almost all Shiva temples display stone-images of a seated Nandi, generally facing the main shrine.
The lingam (lit. "sign, symbol or mark"), sometimes referred to as linga or Shiva linga, is an abstract or aniconic representation of the Hindu god Shiva in Shaivism.
See more at Nandi (Hinduism) - Wikipedia and Lingam - Wikipedia.

At the end of the ramp, on the right side, there is an iron staircase that leads to a stone staircase.
We can see the stone staircase on the right side of the photo.

Renunciants sitting on the stone staircase.
Sannyasa, sometimes spelled Sanyasa or Sanyasi (for the person), is a life of renunciation and the fourth stage within the Hindu system of four life stages known as Ashramas, with the first three being Brahmacharya (bachelor student), Grihastha (householder) and Vanaprastha (forest dweller, retired).

Sannyasa is a form of asceticism marked by renunciation of material desires and prejudices, is represented by a state of disinterest in and detachment from material life, whose purpose is spending one's life in peaceful, spiritual pursuits.
See more at Sannyasa - Wikipedia.

Small sanctuary on the right side of the stone staircase.

Small shrine dedicated to Drona on the left side of the stone staircase.
It is believed that this was used as a residence by Dronacharya, the teacher of the Pandavas and Kauravas in the Hindu epic Mahabharata; the cave is called Drona Cave after him. Dronacharya's wife Kalyani was unable to breastfeed their newborn son Ashwatthama. As Dronacharya was unable to afford a cow or cow's milk, Ashwatthama prayed to Shiva, who then fed him milk dripping from the shivalinga in the cave.

Drona, also referred to as Dronacharya, is a major character of the Hindu epic Mahabharata.
In the epic, he serves as the royal preceptor of the Kauravas and the Pandavas. He is one of the primary counsellors and warriors featured in the epic.
The preceptor is a master of advanced military arts, including the divine weapons known as astras.
See more at Drona - Wikipedia.

Another small shrine on the left side of the stone staircase.
Small sanctuary dedicated to a Hindu sage who lived between 1934 and 1994, also on the left side of the stone staircase.

We can see the bust of the Hindu sage through the door.

Yet another small shrine on the left side of the stone staircase.
This time the small shrine is dedicated to Ganesha.

Ganesha, also spelled Ganesh, is one of the best-known and most worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon and is the Supreme God in the Ganapatya sect.
Although Ganesha has many attributes, he is readily identified by his elephant head. He is widely revered, more specifically, as the remover of obstacles and thought to bring good luck; the patron of arts and sciences; and the deva of intellect and wisdom.
See more at Ganesha - Wikipedia.

Small sanctuary dedicated to Shiva at the bottom of the stone stairs.
Shiva (lit. 'The Auspicious One'), also known as Mahadeva (lit. 'The Great God'), is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hinduism.

Shiva is known as The Destroyer within the Trimurti, the Hindu trinity which also includes Brahma and Vishnu.
In the Shaivite tradition, Shiva is the Supreme Lord who creates, protects and transforms the universe.
In the goddess-oriented Shakta tradition, the Supreme Goddess (Devi) is regarded as the energy and creative power (Shakti) and the equal complementary partner of Shiva.
See more at Shiva - Wikipedia.

Shiva holding the trident (Trishula) and the two-headed drum (Damaru).
Statue of Shiva inside the small sanctuary at the bottom of the stone stairs.

In this statue Shiva is represented with four arms.

Arch with two welcome sculptures.
This arch is on the left side of the stone staircase and gives access to the cave.

Detail of one of the welcome sculptures on the arch pillar.
Namaste is a customary Hindu non-contact manner of respectfully greeting and honouring a person or group, used at any time of day.

Namaste is usually spoken with a slight bow and hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointing upwards, thumbs close to the chest.
Namaste literally means "bowing to you". In Hinduism, it also has a spiritual import reflecting the belief that "the divine and self (atman, Self) is same in you and me", and connotes "I bow to the divine in you". According to sociologist Holly Oxhandler, it is a Hindu term which means "the sacred in me recognizes the sacred in you".
See more at Namaste - Wikipedia.

Giant poster of Shiva, on the left, after the arch.
Shiva is holding the trident (Trishula) and the two-headed drum (Damaru).

Giant statue of Hamunan (Hanuman Murti) and Dronagiri Cave (right).
In the distance, on the other bank of the river, we can see the giant statue of Hamunan. The Dronagiri Cave is on the right side of the statue.

Hanuman is a Hindu god and a divine companion (vanara) of the god Rama.
The Shiva Purana mentions Hanuman as an avatar of Shiva. In Shaiva traditions, Hanuman is either Shiva's avatar or son".
See more at Hanuman - Wikipedia.

Santoshi Mata Temple also on the other bank of the river.
Santoshi Mata or Santoshi Maa is a Hindu goddess, who is venerated as "the Mother of Satisfaction", the meaning of her name.

A ritual fast (vrata) called the Santoshi Maa vrata performed by women on 16 consecutive Fridays wins the goddess' favour.
The Santoshi Mata devotional fast (vrata) is to be observed on 16 successive Fridays or until one's wish is fulfilled. The devotee should perform a worship (puja) of Santoshi Mata and offer her flowers, incense and a bowl of raw sugar and roasted chickpeas (gur-chana). The devotee wakes up at early morning, remembering the Goddess. Only one meal is taken during the fast day, and devotees avoid eating bitter or sour food and serving these to others, as sour or bitter food is somewhat addictive and hinders satisfaction. When the wish is granted, a devotee must then organise a "bringing to conclusion" (udyapan) ceremony, where eight boys are to be served a festive meal.
See more at Santoshi Mata - Wikipedia.

Arch that gives access to the main cave.
After crossing the arch with the two welcome sculptures, we turn left and find this arch that gives access to the main cave.

Small cave dedicated to Kali.
After crossing the arch, while walking towards the main cave, we can see this small cave dedicated to Kali on the left side of the path.

Kali or Kalika is a major Hindu goddess associated with time, change, creation, power, destruction and death in Shaktism.
Kali's earliest appearance is when she emerged from Durga. The goddess is stated to destroy evil in order to defend the innocent.
Over time, Kali has been worshipped by devotional movements and Tantric sects variously as the Divine Mother, Mother of the Universe, Principal energy Adi Shakti. Shakta Hindu and Tantric sects additionally worship her as the ultimate reality or Brahman.
She is also seen as the divine protector and the one who bestows liberation (moksha).
See more at Kali - Wikipedia.

Small shrine dedicated to Ganesha.
Just before entering the main cave we can see on the left side this small shrine dedicated to Ganesha. On the left side below we can see a snake.

The serpent is a common feature in Ganesha iconography, and appears in many forms: around the neck, use as a sacred thread wrapped around the stomach as a belt, held in a hand, coiled at the ankles, or as a throne.
See more at Nāga - Wikipedia.

Hall with ceiling painted blue.
After entering the main cave we are inside a hall with ceiling painted blue.

Hall with white pillars.
On the right side there is a higher hall with white pillars.

Temple's main object of veneration.
In the middle of the lower level hall is the temple's main object of veneration.

Shiva lingam.
The lingam (lit. "sign, symbol or mark"), sometimes referred to as linga or Shiva linga, is an abstract or aniconic representation of the Hindu god Shiva in Shaivism. It is typically the primary devotional image (murti) in Hindu temples dedicated to Shiva.

It is often represented within a disc-shaped platform, the yoni – its feminine counterpart, consisting of a flat element, horizontal compared to the vertical lingam, and designed to allow liquid offerings to drain away for collection.
See more at Lingam - Wikipedia.

Small shrine with Ganesha (left) and Hindu temple priest (right).
In the foreground is Shiva's trident (Trishula).

Shiva Abhisheka.
Abhisheka is a religious rite or method of prayer in which a devotee pours a liquid offering on an image (murti) of a deity.

Shiva Abhishekam is usually performed to a Lingam, representing his manifestation as a creator of good (by destroying evil).
In many temples, there is a vessel hung over the Lingam called thaara paathra that continuously drips water or other offerings onto the Lingam in deference to Shiva's desire for Abhisheka.
Offering Aakamda Flowers, Dhatura Flowers, Blue Lotus (or Pink Lotus/White Lotus) Flowers are auspicious.
See more at Shiva Puja, Abhishekam - Wikipedia.

Hindu temple priests (Pujari) performing rituals.
The primary responsibility of members of the priesthood class is to conduct daily prayers (puja) at the local temple and officiate Hindu rituals and ceremonies.

A pujari assumes that all visitors to their temple wish to bear witness to a darshana, an auspicious vision of the temple idol (murti) that serves as a representation of a given deity within the holy of holies (garbhagriha).
They perform daily pujas for the veneration of the deity, as well as for bestowing the deity's blessings upon the gathered devotees, where they prominently present an arti (lighted camphor upon a plate) that is ritually circled, facing the temple idol (murti).
After performing the puja by chanting the sacred mantrams, ringing the prayer bell, and sometimes by reciting the sthala purana (a regional Hindu legend that explains the significance of the temple), the pujari blesses the devotees by offering them prasadam (consecrated offerings of food), charanamritam or tirtham (water that was previously used to wash the feet of the murti), satari (a golden or silver crown that is placed upon the devotees' head, bearing an imprint of the murti's feet), and tilakam (sandalwood paste, kumkumam, vibhuti that is worn on the devotees' forehead).
See more at Hindu priest, Functions - Wikipedia.

Small lamp resting on the edge of the Yoni.

Shiva's trident (Trishula) and two-headed drum (Damaru).

Moving away from the Shiva Lingam.

Saraswati playing a veena.
Continuing forward, next to the cave wall, we find this statue of Saraswati.

Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning.
She is generally shown to have four arms, holding a book, a rosary, a water pot, and a musical instrument called the veena.
See more at Saraswati - Wikipedia.

At the bottom of the cave is a staircase that leads down to a corridor.

Corridor with figures.
The corridor has on the right side a series of windows with various figures.

In the last window, before reaching the yellow railing, we can see Vyasa's sculpture.
Krishna Dvaipayana, better known as Vyasa (lit. 'compiler') or Vedavyasa ("the one who classified the Vedas"), is a revered sage portrayed in most Hindu traditions. He is traditionally regarded as the author of the epic Mahabharata.

Vyasa is also regarded by many Hindus as a partial incarnation (amsa-avatara) of the god Vishnu and the compiler of the mantras of the Vedas into four Vedas, as well as the author of the eighteen Puranas and the Brahma Sutras.
See more at Vyasa - Wikipedia.

Exit to the river closed with a yellow railing.
In the middle of the corridor, on the right side, there is an exit to the river, but it is closed with a yellow railing.

Shiva as a child and his mother.
Very close to the yellow railing is a display case with the figures of Shiva as a child and his mother.

On the floor, in front of this window and the yellow railing, we can see two circles drawn in marble, as well as a fire pit.

The corridor continues beyond the yellow railing.

On the left side is Shiva and Parvati couple.
Parvati is the Hindu goddess of power, energy, nourishment, harmony, love, beauty, devotion, and motherhood.

Parvati is the wife of the Hindu god Shiva. She is the reincarnation of Sati, the first wife of Shiva who immolated herself during a yajna (fire-sacrifice).
See more at Parvati - Wikipedia.

Small mounds formed by drops of water.
At the end of the corridor are these three small mounds formed by drops of water dripping from the ceiling of the cave.

At the end of the corridor is a passage to another hall.

Ashwathama did penance in the cave standing on one foot.
Drona of the Mahabharata was one of the greatest archers of his era. It is believed that Dronacharya did penance for 12 years in a cave near Dehradun in Uttarakhand. The cave is today famous as the Tapkeshwar Temple.

It is said that Shiva appeared before Drona in the cave. He was pleased with the supreme skills of Dronacharya in archery and blessed him.
Several years later, Ashwathama, son of Dronacharya, did penance in the cave standing on one foot. Shiva is believed to have appeared before him and blessed him with great skills in archery.