Discover Uttarakhand Magazine

These mythological stories and legends if Uttararakhand have been passed down through generations and continue to be an important part of Uttarakhand’s rich cultural heritage. They add to the spiritual significance of the various temples, shrines and other sacred places in Uttarakhand and are an integral part of the region’s history and identity

THE QUEST FOR SANJEEVANI

As the Ramayana goes, Lord Ram’s brother Lakshman was wounded in a battle after which Hanuman was asked to bring ‘Sanjeevani’ (an elusive all-curing herb) from the Himalayas. Hanuman lifted Dronagiri after he failed to trace ‘Sanjeevani’. Under the guidance of Maharaj Ji, this is going to be added in the Ramayana Circuit. It’s a known fact that holy rivers Ganga and Yamuna, originate from this Devbhoomi but very few know about yet another holy river that finds its mention at various times in Ramayana. Saryu originated from Nanda Kot mountain in Bageshwar district, Uttarakhand . 

RAJA DAKSH AND SATI

Kankhal, Haridwar, is considered to be Lord Shiva’s in-laws home because Daksheshwar Maharaj’s daughter (Goddess Sati) was married to Lord Shiva and Daksheshwar Maharaj used to reside in this place. Daksheshwar Maharaj had once organized a yagya and invited all the gods and goddesses to this yagya but Daksheshwar Maharaj did not invite Lord Shiva. Knowing this, Lord Shiva’s wife Sati was very sad and after coming to the same yagya, Lord Shiva’s wife Sati left her body. From this point, Virbhadra (who is considered to be the gotra form of Lord Shiva) separated Daksheshwar Maharaj from his head. But Lord Shiva donated life to Daksheshwar Maharaj and he put “goat’s head” on the severed head of Daksheshwar Maharaj and Lord Shiva promised Daksheshwar Maharaj that the name of the place he resides, will always be associated with his name, hence there is a temple named “Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple” in Haridwar.

DRONA NAGRI – GURU DRONACHARYA

Guru Dronacharya, the ace archer, the Guru of Pandavas did penance for 12 years in a cave near Dehradun in Uttarakhand. That cave is now at Tapkeshwar Temple. Apart from the cave, there is Drona Sagar lake, which is believed to have been created by Pandavas as a gurudakshina to him

PANDAVAS JOURNEY TO HEAVEN

As the legend goes, after the Pandavas defeated and killed their cousins the Kauravas in the epic Kurukshetra war (Mahabharat), they wished to atone for the sins of committing fratricide and killing of Brahmins during the war. Thus, they handed over the reigns of their kingdom to their kin and left in search of the god Shiva and to seek his blessings. But, Shiva was hurt with this war and assumed the form of a Nandi and hid in the Garhwal region to avoid Pandavas. Pandavas saw a bull grazing near Guptkashi while searching for Shiva. Bhima immediately recognized the bull to be Shiva. Bhima caught hold of the bull by its tail and hind legs. But the bull formed Shiva disappeared into the ground to later reappear in parts, with the hump raising in Kedarnath, the arms appearing in Tungnath, the nabhi and stomach surfacing in Madhyamaheshwar, the face showing up at Rudranath and the hair and head appearing in Kalpeshwar. As Pandavas were pleased by these reappearances, they built a temple over here and these are the Panch Kedar. After building the Panch Kedar temples, the Pandavas meditated at Kedarnath for salvation, performed yagna and then through the heavenly path called the Mahapanth( Swargarohini)attained heaven. It’s believed that during their final ascent toward heaven, they passed the village Mana( The last Indian village).

THE LONGEST EPIC TALE

Mahabharata, the important mythological tale was written in this land of Gods. Mana, The last Indian village has witnessed the writing of this epic tale. Vyas pothi- a cave, where Ved vyas used to reside in Mana. This place is just three km away from the Badrinath shrine . There is one more Ved Vyas cave in Kalapani Valley, where it is believed that he meditated here for some time. This valley is also referred as Vyas Valley. Pandukeshwar Temple is also one of the places in connection with Mahabharata. You will be glad to know that Maharaj Ji wants everybody to be aware about our rich treasure i.e. the epic tale, Mahabharata. To promote this, he is planning to add all these places to The Mahabharata Circuit.

These are just a very few mythological incidents. Uttarakhand has witnessed way too many mythological legends and stories. And there could be no one else beer than Shri Satpal Maharaj Ji promong Uarakhand. Everybody is well acquainted with his spiritual knowledge and interest in the spiritual side. He is not only familiar with these legendary tales but also well aware about how to make them reach to others. But wait!!! This place is just not about the mysc vibe, the mythology, the legendary tales. The charismatic beauty of Uttarakhand is not hidden. Every place in Uttarakhand will make you fall in love with it. The surreal landscape, The generous Himalayas, The stunning view, The colorful play of nature, Origin of the holiest rivers, the lip smacking traditional food, enchanting history carved in ancient stones and lastly the most important- it’s simple inhabitants; everything will draw you to this place.

Uttarakhand, also known as the “Land of the Gods,” is steeped in mythological stories and legends. Here are a few examples:

1. The story of Lord Shiva and Parvati: According to legend, Lord Shiva and Parvati got married at the Triyuginarayan Temple, located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. It is said that their wedding fire still burns at the temple, and is considered to be the eternal flame of the universe.
2. The story of Lord Vishnu and the Saptarishi: It is believed that Lord Vishnu came to the Saptarishi (seven sages) in the form of the fish incarnation and saved them from a curse. The place where this event took place is now known as the Ukhimath and is considered to be one of the four important seats of Lord Vishnu in India.
3. The story of Lord Rama: According to the Ramayana, Lord Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana, spent some time in the Panch Kedar region of Uttarakhand during their exile. It is believed that Lord Rama meditated at the Tungnath Temple, which is the highest temple of Lord Shiva in the world.
4. The story of Sage Vyasa: Sage Vyasa, who is known for composing the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita, is said to have lived in the Badrinath Temple, one of the most revered shrines in Uttarakhand.
5. The story of Lord Hanuman: Lord Hanuman is believed to have meditated at the Kedarnath Temple, one of the four sacred shrines of Lord Shiva in India, during the Treta Yuga.

6. The story of Lord Ganesha: According to legend, Lord Ganesha obtained the head of an elephant from the Kailash Parvat, which is located in the Himalayas in Uttarakhand. It is said that Lord Ganesha was created by Lord Shiva and Parvati to guard the entrance to their home in Kailash.
7. The story of Sage Agastya: Sage Agastya is said to have lived in the Badrinath Temple, and it is believed that he meditated in a cave near the temple for several years. He is also said to have created the hot springs at Tapt Kund, which are considered sacred and are believed to have healing properties.
8. The story of the Pandavas: According to the Mahabharata, the Pandavas, who were the five brothers at the center of the epic, spent a significant part of their exile in the Uttarakhand region. They are said to have built the city of Kedarnath and the Kedarnath Temple, which is one of the four sacred shrines of Lord Shiva in India.
9. The story of Lord Brahma: It is said that Lord Brahma, one of the three main deities of Hinduism, performed a yagna at the Brahma Kapal, a flat platform located on the banks of the Mandakini River, in the Kedarnath Temple.
10. The story of Lord Vishnu: It is believed that Lord Vishnu, one of the three main deities of Hinduism, appeared in the form of the Narayana avatar in the Nainital Lake, which is located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. The lake is considered sacred and is said to have healing properties.