Sri Tapkeshwar Mahadev Mandir is one of the important Bhagwan Shiv Temples situated at Dehradun, Uttrakhand.
The temple is built on the banks of Tons-river. The temple is in the Cantonment area of Garhi region.
The self-manifested Shiv Ling is inside the natural cave at this temple.
As per the legend, Dronacharya, the Guru of Kauravas was living with his wife in the cave. When she begot her son Ashwathama, she could not feed her milk to him. When Dronacharya prayed to Sri Shiv, Bhagwan had given milk as the droplet above the ShivLing. The cave is known as Drona cave.
“Tapak” means “dripping droplet”. Hence the Shiv Ling is worshipped as Sri Tapkeshwar. As the natural water is still dripping from above the Shiv Ling, the cave is also called as dripping cave.
The river Tons runs as a Sulphur water spring near the temple. Some devotees take bath in the spring before entering the cave temple.
It is ardently believed that worshipping Bhagwan Shiv at this temple alleviates the problems and the wishes are fulfilled.
Maha Shivrathri is celebrated grandly at this temple. The celestial wedding of Bhagwan Shiv and Sri Parvathi Devi is remembered with devotion. A fair is also conducted at the temple during that time.
The main sanctum is that of Sri Tapkeshwar situated at Drona cave. From the main road, the devotees have to come down the stairs to reach the cave. One has to go in the clockwise manner inside the cave bending according to the height of the cave. As the roof of the cave is at short height, most of the devotees bend down or stoop to have the darshan of Sri Tapkeshwar. One can sit comfortably in front of Sri Shiv Ling.
Devotees are allowed to do abhishek to Shiv Ling even though water sprouts from above the Shiv Ling and drops on it. The Pujari offers puja and aarti.
After having the darshan of Sri Shiv, we have to go in the dedicated path to have the darshan of other Deities inside the cave. There are depictions of Sri Ram and Sri Sita Devi, Sri Durga Devi and Sri Annapurna Devi.
From the cave temple, steps lead us down to the spring. There is a foot overbridge across the river. A huge vigraha of Sri Hanumanji invites us. Across the bridge, there are other small shrines for Sri Durga Devi and other Deities.
The temple premises is near a forest area. Hence there are trekking activities as well from here.
For those who are unable to mount the stairs to reach the road, there is a lift.
The temple is open from 06.00 A.M to 07.00 P.M.
Tapkeshwar Temple is nearly 6.5 Kilometers away from the City Centre. Local buses, autos and Share-Autos (Vikram) can be taken to reach the place. Taxis can also be booked.
