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Gopinath Mandir, Chamoli, Uttarakhand
| Date built: | – |
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| Deity: | – |
| Architectural style: | – |
| Major festivals | – |
| Locale: | – |
| District:: | Chamoli |
| Address: | – |
| Phone | – |
Gopinath Mandir is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva in Gopeshwar, Chamoli District, Uttarakhand, India. It is situated in Gopeshwar village now part of Gopeshwar town. The temple stands out in its architectural proficiency; it is topped by a magnificent dome and the 30 sq ft (2.8 m2) sanctum sanctorum, which is aessible by 24 doors.
The remains of broken idols found around the temple testify the existence of several more temples in ancient times. There is a trident, in the courtyard of the temple, about 5 m high, made of eight different metals, which dates back to the 12th century. It boasts the inscriptions attributed to Anekmalla, the king of Nepal who reigned in the 13th century. Four short inscriptions written in Devanagri, which dates back to a later period, are yet to be deciphered, barring one. Legend is that the trident got fixed in this spot, when Lord Shiva threw it at Lord Kama to kill him. The metal of the trident is not weathered by the elements and this is a wonder. The legend goes that the trident belonged to Shiva who threw it at Kamdeva (The God Of Love) to kill him and it got fixed in this spot. It is believed that while brute force can not move this Trident, the slightest touch by a true devotee can cause a tremor in it. The metal of the trident does not appear to have become weathered by the elements over the century.
Architecture
Legend / Local stories
The legend goes that the trident belonged to Lord Shiva who threw it at Kamadeva (The God of Love) to kill him and it got fixed at this spot. The metal of the trident is not weathered by the elements over the centuries. It is believed that while any kind of strong force cannot move this divine trident, the slightest touch by a true, honest devotee can cause a tremor in it.
Another legend says that, when Lord Shiva turned Kamdev into ashes, Rati, the wife of Kamdeva, did penance at Gopeshwar. Pleased with her devotion, Lord Shiva appeared at Gopeshwar. Shiva blessed her with a boon that her husband will reappear.
Another hearsay is that, when Shiva was annihilating the Kshatriyas, the trident of Parshuram broke into 3 parts while pacifying Lord Shiva. A part of that trident is found in Gopinath temple.
Photo Gallery
How to Reach:
By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant (258 km) which is located at Dehradun.
By Rail: The nearest railhead is Rishikesh (220 km).
By Road: Gopeshwar village is 10 km from the Chamoli and 212 km from Rishikesh. Buses and taxis are available from Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar to reach the Gopinath temple.
Contact Details
Official Address