Chandrasekhar Mahadev Temple, Saho, Himachal Pradesh

Chandrasekhar Mahadev Temple, Saho, Himachal Pradesh

Chandrasekhar Mahadev Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Saho Village in Chamba Tehsil in Chamba District in Himachal Pradesh, India. The temple is situated on a high plateau on the right bank of the Sal river.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/03/chandrasekhar-mahadev-temple-saho-legends.html

History

The temple is believed to be built in 10^th century CE by King Satyaki, son of Bagota as per an inscription found in Saho village and now preserved in the Chamba Museum. The temple was rebuilt after the devastating floods of 1900. 

The Temple

The temple is situated on a plateau but surrounded by the hills on three sides. The entrance of the temple has images of Lord Shiva in two forms. The first form shows an angry Lord Shiva with three heads stands on a corpse and wears a garland of skulls. The second form is of benign form of Lord Shiva holds a flower, rosary, trident and pot of water in his four arms. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Chandrashekar Mahadev in the form of Shiva Linga within a square yonipitha.

The Linga is about five feet tall. The yonipitha is encased in copper sheets. It is said that the copper is mined from the same site, where the temple is situated. An image of Nandi is carved on the yonipitha. The main shrine is in shikhara style and has a slate roof. There is a carving of Lord Nataraja on one of the pillars of the main shrine. A stone Nandi can be seen in the courtyard facing towards the sanctum. It is said that the Nandi was made out of copper but later it turned to stone.

If the throat portion of the Nandi is tapped, it produces a metallic sound (tinkle sound of a bell). The foot prints of Goddess Mekhli can be seen in the courtyard. A 25 feet tall statue of Lord Hanuman can be seen above the courtyard. The specialty of the statue is that Lord Shani Devi is tied to the waist of Lord Hanuman. Images of Vinayaga can be seen above the main door of the temple. Images of Kaal and Mahakal can be seen on either sides of the main door of the temple.

Festivals

Maha Shivaratri is the famous festival celebrated here. Devotees worship Lord Shiva in Maha Shivaratri with grains of new crop and wool. The devotees who are unable to go to Mani Mahesh, take bath in Sal river and worship Lord Shiva here. This worship is equivalent to Mani Mahesh pilgrimage. A fair is organized here during the month of Baisakh.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1 Km from Saho Bus Stop, 15 Kms from Chamba, 15 Kms from Chamba Old Bus Stand, 16 Kms from Chamba New Bus Stand, 55 Kms from Dalhousie, 74 Kms from Bharmour, 116 Kms from Pathankot Junction Railway Station and 121 Kms from Pathankot Airport. The temple is situated at about 15 Kms to the east of Chamba on Dalhousie to Bharmour route. Saho can be accessed by bus from Chamba.

Location