Address: Kirateshwar Mahadev Shiva Temple
Legship, near the Rangit River, Sikkim - 737111
Timings: 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Opening Days : Chidambaram
Nearby Airport : All days open
The Kirateshwar Mahadev temple is located in Western Sikkim near the Rangit River. The temple is connected to the main road via a foot bridge.
This temple is located at a small distance of 4 km, on the Gayzing-Pelling route from Pelling. It is easily accessible from the cities like Pemayangtse and Geyzing. From Siliguri, the temple can be accessed using air and train. A guest house for the accommodation of the devotees has also been made available.
Main God: At the temple Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of Shivaling which is the only idol here which is worshipped. Also, shrines of Goddess Durga and Ram are present at the temple.
Legend: According to scriptures, it is believed to be the place where Arjuna was blessed for the war of Mahabharata. Festivals celebrated at the Temple: Maha Shivaratri is celebrated during the month of January and during Dec-Nov another festival called Bala Chaturdasi is celebrated here at the temple. Every morning and evening is started off with Aarti and the Puja is performed as per the Vedic rituals.
Devotees Belief: Devotees who come to visit the temple believe that they will be given a boon for a perfect life for two births. They pray here at the temple for getting their wishes fulfilled and believe that visiting the temple is nothing less than the Chaaardham, the four worshipping places of Lord Shiva.
The Kirateshwar Mahadeva temple is a well-known Hindu pilgrimage which glitters amidst the emerald forest and Rangit River. People believe that praying wholeheartedly at the temple can miraculously fulfil all the desires and wishes. The premises of the temple features separate platforms to pray Lord Shiva, Lord Rama and Lord Durga. Kirateshwar templ is believed to be the oldest of all the temples in the state of Sikkim. The temple also finds a special mention in Mahabharata because of its role in the epic battle. The Bala Chaturdesi festival which is celebrated in the month of November-December is the main attraction of the temple. Also, during Maha Shivaratri people from different parts of the country come to attend the auspicious even of the festival celebration.
It is believed that pleased with the great devotion and penance of Arjuna, Shiva appeared as hunter at the very place where today the temple stands out tall and blessed him with a great success in the war of Mahabharata. The main statue is the Shiva Linga at the Kirateshwar Mahadev temple. It is particularly believed that a mere visit at the temple could miraculously bring harmony and people and also the once desire for son or daughter gets fulfilled at the temple.
Kirateshwar Mahadeva temple is dedicated to worshipping Lord Shiva witnesses a huge number of devotees visiting the temple from around the world. Those who are ardent followers of Lord Shiva must visit the temple at least once in a lifetime. It is believed that if one prays at the temple with the heart and soul can get their wishes fulfilled. The separate platforms for Goddess Durga, Lord Shiva and Lord Rama make it one of the loved destinations for the devotees.
Although the premises of the temple three deities are worshipped, Lord Shiva is the main deity. Inside the main chamber, Lord Shiva is the sole deity and also the temple has various mentions in many of the tales of Mahabharata and Lord Shiva. The God of this temple is called as the Destroyer and is also considered to be the most potent God of the Hindu trinity. One thousand eight names of the deity are known and are worshipped mainly as a lingam.
The priests of the temple follow many rituals while worshipping the deities at the temple. There are many minute details that are to be kept in mind while worshipping the main deity, Lord Shiva at the temple. And, because of which outsiders are not allowed inside the worshipping area during the ritual. The devotees are made to wait outside the temple and once the rituals are over, devotees can go inside and seek the blessing from Lord Shiva and offer Puja in their own way. Also, separate Aarti is performed for other two idols at the temple. Aarti is performed twice in the whole day, once in morning and once in the evening which is known as main aarti or Maha-aarti.
The beautiful temple is believed to be the oldest temples of the state of Sikkim and its serenity and purity of the draws devotees all over from the World. The unique Lord Shiva idol at the temple is made with stone and is in the form of lingam. And, it is a great belief that Mahadeva has emerged from that very stone.
The most apt time to visit the temple is from February to May and also you can visit the temple during the time of festivals. Two festivals including Bala Chaturdesi and Maha Shivaratri are celebrated at the temple with utmost gusto.
