Lord Shiva · Himalayan pagoda
Himalayan Shiva Mandir हिमालय शिव मंदिर
A pagoda of grey stone and dark deodar on dry stone terraces that climb from a glacial river ghat, its three copper roofs edged in gold and hung with bells. Climb past the hill shrines and Nandi on his terrace, then offer water and bilva to the lingam.
Today
Today’s Bilva Shringar
The lingam covered in three leaved bilva and white flowers, beneath a brass serpent hood. The trefoil bilva leaf is the offering most closely tied to Shiva.
The tradition
About Himalayan Shiva Mandir
Himalayan pagoda temple of stone and deodar on river ghat terraces, with three tiers of copper roofs, a gilded finial, Shiva lingam, Nandi and a cluster of hill shrines
Jal abhishek
Pouring water over the lingam is a widespread form of Shiva worship, especially on Mondays and during Shravan.
Nandi
The bull Nandi faces the sanctum, ever attentive to Shiva.
Half circumambulation
In many Shiva temples, pradakshina stops at the channel carrying abhishek water (the somasutra) and turns back. Here the gutter leaves the sanctum on the north side; walk round clockwise to it, then return the way you came.
Water from the river
At hill temples, devotees often fill a copper lota at the river ghat and carry the water up for the lingam, which gives the climb its meaning.
The dhuni
Ascetics of the Shaiva tradition keep a sacred fire, the dhuni, burning; its ash is shared as prasad.
Offerings
What is offered to Lord Shiva
Bilva leaves बिल्व पत्र
Three leaved bilva is traditionally offered to Shiva.
White flowers श्वेत पुष्प
Marigold गेंदा
Inside
What you can do here
Walk the compound and the halls, leave your footwear at the steps, ring the bell, light incense and a diya, offer bilva leaves at the deity’s feet, receive prasad, sit in the meditation garden and join the aarti with devotees from around the world, five times a day. The grounds also keep 3 small secrets, each with a story of Lord Shiva, for those who explore.
Five aartis a day
Every temple keeps the hours of a temple in India, so devotees everywhere gather at the same moment. Times may differ by a few minutes from temple to temple.
- Mangala Aarti5:30 am in India5:30 am your time
- Shringar Aarti8:00 am in India8:00 am your time
- Rajbhog Aarti12:00 pm in India12:00 pm your time
- Sandhya Aarti6:30 pm in India6:30 pm your time
- Shayan Aarti9:00 pm in India9:00 pm your time
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