Introduction
Bageshwar District is a district in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. The town of Bageshwar is the district headquarters.
Location of Bageshwar District
Bageshwar District is located in the northern parts of province of Uttaranchal, now in Uttarkhand. In east lies the district of Pithoragarh bordering Tibet and in its west lies the district of Chamoli. In its North lie in the Great Himalaya Mountains. With the east and west flanked by the Bhileswar and Nileshwar mountains and surrounded by Suraj Kund in the north and Agni Kund in the south, this land of Lord Shiva is of great religious, historical and political significance.
History of Bageshwar District
As the Puranas states, this undoubtedly is a place capable of liberating one from the eternal bondage of births and deaths. Since time immemorial, this place has been the symbol of faith for the entire Uttarakhand region. Because of its spiritual magnetism, it has attracted many saintly men and numerous patriots who have always been ready to lay down everything for the sake of their revered motherland. The Nilaparvat, situated between the rivers Saryu and Gomti is inhabited by all 33 crore Gods of the Hindu pantheon, the celestial being like Siddha, Gandharva, Vidyadhar, Urvashi etc. and manu sages. Irrigated by the Saryu, the Nilaparvat is held to be more important than the Vindhyachal. Those who desire to embrace death at place between Surya Kund and Agni Kund, become equivalent to the Gods by attaining salvation at the feet of Lord Shiva himself.
During the reign of the Chands, the Shiva temple was constructed at Bageshwar. Legend has it that when repeated attempts to install a Shiva Linga proved futile, it was Shri Manorath Pandey of Palayn village who succeeded in installing the idol after performing penance on the Shivratri. From then onwards, a massive fair is held on Shivratri each year to commemorate the event.
Geography of Bageshwar District
Situated at the confluence of Saryu River and Gomti River and latent Bhagirathi River lies the district of Bageshwar; also revered as the pious land associated with Lord Sadashiva, the redeemer of all sins.
Fairs and Festivals in Bageshwar District
Fairs and festivals of Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand is an integral part of their culture. They are not only an expression of the religious, social and the cultural urges of the people but have also sustained the folk culture and have been fundamental to the economic activities of the people. The great annual fairs are known by the name of "Mela", and are always connected with religious ideas and customs. They very often center round some famous local shrine, which reaps an extensive harvest at the annual festival. Business, pleasure and religion are cheerfully combined in these festivities.
Vishuvati is observed as the day of solstice. This solstice is called Mesh (ram in form) also; but the Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Shilpkars observe a grand festival on this day with victuals fried in clarified butter, sweetmeats, betel-leaves etc. In many places fairs are also held. Pahari (hill dialect) songs are sung and people dance. This is an old festival of aboriginals of this place. On this day fairs are held in Dwarahat, Syalde, Chaugar and Lohakhai. Vat Savitri Amavasya is another festival and women fast on this day. The story of chaste Savitri and Satyavan is heard on this day. The figures of the dead Satyavan, Lord Yama and eminent jewel among chaste women Savitri are drawn under a banyan tree and they are worshipped.
Harishayani ekadashi is a famous fast. The women hold the rule of Chatursmasya (the bathing and fasting for months beginning on the eve of the rainy season) from this day. The fast ends on Haribodhini (awakening of gods). Sankasht Chaturthi is the fast and worship of Lord Ganesh on the fourth day of the dark half of Bhadra (Aug-Sep). Food is taken on the visibility of the moon after giving charity by libation in honour of the deity, moon. This fast is generally undertaken by the women. A great fair called Uttaraini is held at Bageshwar. A holy dip is taken by the masses in rivers at Bageshwar, Rameshwer, Chitrashila and other places. This festival is also called `Kale Kauwa` in Kumaon. It appears to be an old festival of this region. One of the largest festivals is the Uttraini festival of Bageshwar, which is organised in the month of January for a period of one week and is frequented by Almora traders, on barter or money lending intent, and by the Bhotiyas from the snows, as well as by a great multitude of people from the surrounding villages.
Cuisines in Bageshwar District
Cuisines in Bageshwar District are an important part of the culture of the people of Bageshwar district. Bal Mithai is a popular sweet dish of this place and it is decorated with small while sugar balls and prepared from Khoya (Condensed Milk). Singauri is a mouth watering sweet prepared from Khoya and Coconut and wrapped in leaf. Sisunak saag is a green leafy vegetable dish, prepared like any other green vegetables. The leaves are locally known as `Bichoo Ghas`, which also has a rich medicinal value. Gahat kid al. singal and jhangora ki kheer are among the other delicacies of Bageshwar district.
Temples of Bageshwar District
There are several temples in this district which attract thousands of pilgrims every year. The Baijnath temple situated here is venerated by one and all. Devotees gather here on every Monday of the holy month of Shravan to worship the Lord. Baijnath temple. There are several places in and around Bageshwar district which attracts tourists from across the map of India. Kausani, Kanda and Pandusthal are among such places of tourist delight. Adventure tourism is an inseparable part of tourism in Bageshwar district.
There are a number of temples in the district of Bageshwar which attracts devotees all the year round from different corners of the country. At the junction of the Gomti River and Saryu River stands a large temple with its conical tower. Here is the shrine of Bageshwar or Vyagreswar, the, "Tiger Lord", an epithet of Lord Shiva. This temple was erected by the Kumaon king, Lakhsmi Chand, about 1450 A.D., but there is an interesting Sanskrit inscription there of a far earlier date. The temple is flooded with devotees on the annual occasion of Shivratri. This place has a cluster of temples. Prominent among these temples are the Bhairav temple, Dattatrey Maharaj, Ganga Mai temple, Hanuman temple, Durga temple, Kalika temple, Thingal Bhirav temple, Panchnam Junakhara and the Vaneshwar temple.
The temples at Baijnath proper are situated on the left bank of the Gomti River. On the way to the main temple, just below the house the Mahatma is the temple of Bamani. Tradition of the place says that it was built by Brahmin widow and was dedicated by her to Lord Shiva. Another story states that a Brahmin woman who was kidnapped by a Kshatriya built the temple in favour of Lord Shiva for the expiation of her sins. There is an idol of Shiva inside the temple. It has no inscriptions.
The main temple, dedicated to Baijnath or Vaidhyanatha (a name of Shiva), which gives its name to the present village is situated near the Gomti. The temple is approached from the riverside by a flight of steps made of stones constructed by the orders of Katyuri queen. The place was and is a bathing place of the inhabitants who have now made a Kachha pond near the temple. A beautiful temple dedicated to Goddess Chandika stands at a distance of about half a kilometer from Bageshwar. Every year, the temple bustles with activity as the devout congregate here to offer Puja to the deity during the Navaratri. Another important temple is the Sriharu temple which is situated at a distance of about five kilometers from Bageshwar. Every year, a large fair is organised on the Bijaya Dashmi day following the Navaratris.
Other temples of Bageshwar district are Ramghat temple, Agnikund temple, Ramji temple, Kukudamai temple and Hanuman temple.
Tourism in Bageshwar District
Bageshwar district is flooded with tourist places in and around it. Kausani is nature`s own reserve of solitudes and greenery. Even the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi has contemplated on the beauty of this region. Several snow capped peaks stand in a stately row, over three hundred kilometers in length, shining against the azure sky making the horizon as seen from Kausani and enviable spectacle. The glory of the snow crowned Himalayan range reaches its pinnacle when the sun rays turn them into crimson and gold. Hindi poet laureate Sumitranandan Pant was born at Kausani.
Some of his early poems composed here have described nature in its myriad manifestations. There is small museum to earmark that sacred spot. Kausani is ideal for those who seek to escape from the din and dust, hustle and bustle of big cities and wish to spend a quiet holiday in the lap of nature. Indeed, Kausani is a veritable heaven of beauty to which an excursion must be made on visiting Kumaon. The wide expanse of the famous Katyur Valley lies in front of it as one wake up to experience the Kausani sunrise.
Lying in the Katyuri valley, nineteen kilometers away from Kausani and twenty kilometers away from Bageshwar, is the small but ancient town of Baijnath. It was once upon a time the capital of the Katyuri dynasty of kings and the place was then called Kartikyapura. In Kumaon socio cultural region, Baijnath is one among remote antiquity and of historical importance. The remnants of those glorious days lie at the bank of the Gomti River in the form of a group of temples. The temple is famous for its ancient and magnificent stone idol of the Hindu goddess Parvati.
This picturesque place of Kanda is a treat for nature lovers and is situated at a distance of twenty five kilometers from Bageshwar. The beautiful hill station, and home of peace, Kanda is situated at 1500-1900m above sea level. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and terraced fields it captivates the senses and imaginations of the locals and visitors alike. Both the local people and the visitors appreciate the beauty here and benefit from the pure air and healthy environment that mountain scenery presents. The hills of Kanda are very attractive to foreign visitors, and are often likened to the Swiss Alps. Visitors can learn about local food preparation techniques, which is done using specific spices and locally grown organic vegetables. Experiencing this local cuisine can be one of the highlights of life at Kanda.
According to legends, Pandusthal was the battle ground where Kauravas and Pandavas had fought. There exists a natural ground half a kilometer in breadth. The Himalaya Mountain is so near that one can get an excellent view of the ranges. To reach Pandusthal, a bus service is available from Garur to Jakheda. From Jakheda it is twenty kilometers trek through the mountains. Vijaypur is situated at a distance of thirty kilometers from Bageshwar town. One can have a panoramic view of the snow capped Himalayan range from here. Because of its high altitude the view is breath taking.
Visiting Information
Bageshwar district is connected by roadways, railways and airways. The nearest airport is at Pantnagar which is at a distance of 178 kilometers. The nearest railway station from this district is Kathgodam, at a distance of 145 kilometers. Bageshwar district is well connected with road way facilities to all the important places of the country.
