Lakhamandal Temple – The Temple

Lakhamandal Temple – The Temple

The Temple was built in Nagara style architecture. The Temple is situated on the banks of Yamuna River. This Temple is the oldest Temple in the region. There is a graphite lingam in the temple which is the main attraction of this shrine. When water is poured in it, it shines and reflects its surrounding. The temple complex houses temples and shrines of Lord Shiva, the five Pandavas, Goddess Sakthi and Parshuram.

Twin statues of Danav and Manav are located beside the main shrine. The statues are the Dvarapalas of the temple. Few believe these statues are Pandava brothers Bhima and Arjuna. Other believe, they were Jaya and Vijaya, the doormen of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that if you bring someone in the brink of death or had just died, in front of this dvarapalas, returns them briefly to life before finally expiring. The power of Manav will keep the person alive, while Danav will take the person soul to Lord Vishnu's abode, Vaikunda.

The temple walls have intricately carved inscriptions. Many dilapidated sculptures are found scattered in the temple premises. All these sculptures are dated to the 8^th century AD. Some idols have been shifted to a temporary museum for safety reasons by the archaeological department. There is a natural cave, called Dhundhi Odaari, located near to this Temple. Dhundi or Dhund means misty or foggy and odaar or odaari means cave or hidden place in in the local Jaunsari language. The local people think that the Pandava took refuge in this cave to save themselves from Duryodhana.