WANDERLUST: Meditation, rituals and pilgrimage at Jageshwar Shiva Temple in Himalaya

After two years, I was going again to Lord Jageshwar Temple, near Almora in Himalaya. This was all due to my younger brother Ami and my sis-in-law, Shweta's plan of conducting ritual (Mundan Ceremony) for their daughter Saanvi as well as celebrating her birthday, at one of the most powerful temples of Lord Shiva. For almost a week, the days were filled with moments full of Mantra Chantings, Vedic rituals and meditation. For me, the day usually started at 4-5 AM, going to temple after a really cold bath, for meditations and the aarti. Then in the afternoon or evening, going to the forest or sitting next to the river and meditating on "Om Namah Shivaya". It was an amazing experience as usual. And on the last Monday of Shravan Mas (Monsoon Month), the most auspicious day of Lord Shiva, we were able to do Puja (Rudrabhishek) for Lord Shiva, making it all the more uplifting moment for all of us.

On the other hand the journey was also about having fun, Ami's daughter's birthday, Mundan ceremony, trekking and party in the night with all 20-30 of our family and friends joining in, which packed lots of fun on its own.  And then there was trekking of 4-5 KM's uphill to the local deities as well as to the ancient and very powerful Lord Shiva's old temple "Vriddha Jageshwar". Absolutely an enlightening experience of connecting to Lord Shiva in one of the most holy places .... where each one of us connected to the cosmic energy in one's own unique way.

So here is the journey for you in images and hope that you also connect with one of the most powerful jyotirlinga's of Shiva ... Come walk with me....

To know more about Jageshwar Temple, please click here...

Rudrabhishek on the day one with my younger brother
The Shiva Linga is made of earth with Vedic rituals

Reaching Kathgodam from where we have had to travel
towards Jageshwar by road....
I hated to see the black smoke reaching out to the clouds...

As usual, Himalaya's too is not untouched by traffic Jams...

But then, the road ahead in the mountains of Himalaya is pristine...

The place where we all stayed - all 30 of us.
This is a view from the opposite hill, where I usually
ended up in the morning, after my meditations and early morning walks...

The most powerful Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva according to some...
Jageshwar Temple.

The villagers around come in groups, singing and dancing to offer
prayers to Shiva at Jageshwar

Some come in most decorated vehicles with loud speakers
blaring out chanting of Om Namah Shivaya...

View of Jageshwar town from Jageshwar temple ...

Next day was the Mundan Ceremony of my younger brother's daughter
Saanvi. We went to have a bath in cold running stream near by...
Here offering holy water to Sun God...

And the ritual and Rudrabhishek for Lord Shiva

The tallest temple of Lord Shiva - Dandeshwar

A time for meditation at Dandeshwar temple. 

On the way to a beautiful 4KM trek on the
mountains to a temple of Local deity... 

Well we all needed to catch our breath I guess.. a lovely place to sit..

And the Jhakar Saim Temple... beautifully decorated 

Rudrabhishek of  Lord Shiva on the last Monday of Monsoon
Month (Shravan). The most auspicious day for praying to Lord Shiva

On the way back, there is another famous local deity, Chitai Golu Maharaj
where people offer bells, petitions properly written on paper
for their wishes to come true...

Back to the Kathgodam Station, from where we caught train to
reach Delhi. Well Saanvi and Anumeha caught the ride on our luggage..

Rudrabhishek of Lord Shiva - After we finished on the final day.

______

ॐ नमः शिवाय

Om Namah Shivaya

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