An anecdote of Shivpuri Dham located in the Thegda area of Kota city of Rajasthan is linked to the temple of Lord Pashupatinath located in Kathmandu, Nepal. Shivpuri Dham is a grand temple of Kota that is famous for 525 idols of Lord Shiva (Shivlings) in one place. A large number of people visit this place throughout the year. There are many other magnificent structures within the temple complex, including the Lord Pashupatinath Temple and a huge black Shivling of Lord Shiva, which weighs about 16 tons.
Naga Sadhu Sanatan Puri Maharaj is the guardian of this temple. Whose Gurudev late Ranaram Puri Maharaj had established 525 Shivling here after difficult yoga, penance, and meditation 35 years ago. Sanatan Puri Maharaj says that there are 525 Shivlings in the temple. 12 comes on adding them. In such a situation, the devotees who visit and worship here get the fruit of 12 Jyotirlingas.
The main attraction of the Shivpuri Dham temple complex is the formation of a unique swastika shape by 525 small Shivlings located in one place. In the center of the shape is a shrine dedicated to Lord Pashupatinath which houses a 4-faced white idol of Lord Pashupatinath.
The main Shivling is made of black stone and weighs about 16 tons, with a height of about 15 feet, with a circumference of about 6 feet. There is holy water around this huge Shivling and some smaller Shivlings are also there.
Temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Goddess Annapurna, Lord Shiva Parivar, and a sage are also located inside the complex. The complex is also blessed with the natural beauty of trees, birds, peacocks, and a pond, which makes the place scenic and a picnic spot for people.
Shivpuri Dham Kota Rajasthan
According to sources, the late Naga Sadhu Rana Rampuri Maharaj lived at the site of Shivpuri Dham in Thegada. There was no temple here then. Around 1980, he went to visit the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal.
There they took prasad, beltpatra, incense sticks, garlands, etc. to offer to Lord Shiva. But, was not allowed to be taken to the temple. The policemen used to take away the worship material. Also, there was only one idol in every temple, for whose darshan there was a line. Because of this, the devotees could see God for a few seconds only. In such a situation, Naga Sadhu Ranaram Puri decided that he would build such a Dham, where lakhs of people would be able to worship on Mahashivratri and Mondays of Sawan.
Earlier there used to be only ancient Dhuna (small temple) in Shivpuri Dham. It is told that it is 500 to 1000 years old. The land of the Raj family was around Dhuna. He only gave this land to the temple.
In the year 1986, Naga Sadhu Rana Rampuri Maharaj started establishing 525 Shivlings by taking land from the royal family. He died in 1987. After which Sanatan Puri Maharaj took command of it and 525 Shivlings were installed in the temple. After which it became a unique abode and the faith of lakhs of devotees has been connected here.
Recently, construction work was done in the temple to further enhance the beauty of the premises. A huge white-colored tower has been erected over the main Shivling and the work of shelter in the form of a swastika has been done over the smaller Shivlings.
The temple is heavily crowded mainly during the month of Sawan or monsoon, as per the Hindi calendar. On the day of Shivratri, people from Rajasthan along with other states come here to have the darshan of Lord Shiva.
How to reach Shivpuri Dham Kota?
Kota Junction Shivpuri Dham is the nearest railway station. 10 km
The new bus stand at Dhanmandi is the nearest bus stand at a distance of 2.5 km.
My self Dev Satish. I’m an Author and Founder of tourism-rajasthan.com. I’m from Rajasthan and If I talk about my Education then I’m Law Graduate. I love doing work that makes me happy, that’s why I love traveling. you will find Rajasthan travel ideas & tips on this blog.