Daksheswara Mahadev temple also known as Daksha Mahadev temple is located in Haridwar district in Uttarakhand. The temple situated in the town of Kankhal houses the idol of Lord Shiva. The temple has been named after the father of Sati, King Daksha Prajapati. He is one of the fourteen Prajapatis in Hinduism. Daksheswara Mahadev temple located on the banks of the Ganga River is at a distance of 4 kms from Haridwar.

Legend of Daksha
According to a legend once Daksha performed a yajna but he did not invite Lord Shiva, Sati's husband. Not able to bear the insult of her husband Sati went to the yajna. Upon seeing her father humiliating her husband she burnt herself at the yagya kunda. Shiva out of rage sent for the terrible demi-gods Bhadrakali, Virabhadra and also his ganas. The demi gods appeared in Daksha's assembly and while waging war on the gods beheaded Daksha. Later he was given a head of a goat at the request of Lord Brahma.

Construction of Daksheswara Mahadev Temple
Daksheswara Mahadev Temple was constructed in 1810 AD by Queen Dhankaur. It was later rebuilt in 1962. A statue of Lord Mahadev carrying the body of Sati has been constructed at the entrance of the temple. A Ganga Maa Temple dedicated to Ganga River has been constructed inside the Daksheswara Mahadev Temple complex. The compound also has a Pipal Tree worshipped by devotees. The Das Mahavidya Temple devoted to the ten aspects of Shakti stands within the complex. Close to the temple are the Daksha Ghat and the Nileshwar Mahadev Temple.

The festival of Maha Shivaratri is celebrated on a grand scale by the Daksheswara Mahadev Temple that attracts devotees from different places.

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