Tapkeshwar Temple, Dehradun: Location & History

Tapkeshwar Mahaved temple situated beside river tons, in Garhi Cantt, Dehradun is believed to have a connection from the time of Mahabharata.

How to reach Tapkeshwar temple, Garhi Cantt?

Take Shared auto no.6 from Connaught place, Dehradun. Connaught place is just walking distance away from the Clock-tower also called as GhantaGhar, in Dehradun. Get down at Garhi cantt, it would be around 15 mins of ride. After getting down at Garhi Cantt, you can either take a private auto to the Tapkeshwar temple which would cost around 30-40 rupees or walk on the shorter path, through the  street and reach the temple in 10 mins. Anyone can guide you about the Tapkeshwar temple in Garhi cantt, Dehradun. There is a big entrance gate at the entry of the temple premises. From the main gate, you will have to walk around 100 of steps to reach temple beside the river. Near the main entrance, you will flower sellers sitting and many Sadhus also sitting there. This place is safe and almost always crowded. The river is very narrow and there is also an overbridge across the river. On this side of the river, Tapkeshwar temple is there, dedicated to lord Shiva inside a cave. Across the river, Durga and Hanuman temple is there.

History of the Tapkeshwar Mahadev:

The local legend of Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple dates back to Mahabharata. It is believed that Ashwoshthama who is believed to an immortal character in the Mahabharata and the son of one of the great archers in the war of Mahabharata Dronacharya was born in the caves here. It is frequent to see caves in this area along the river tons.
However, the legend says that mother of the new born had no milk in her breasts. The new born is also believed to be very matured since his birth and he prays lord Shiva for the milk. Lord Shiva listens to the prayer of a child and grants him the wish of milk dripping from the rocks.

Water dripping through the rocks

One can still see the Lingam of lord Shiva and water dripping over it from the rocks of the cave. These caves are named after Drona, the father and the new born. You might also be Interested in the unplanned Doon valley exploration along the river tons under inhospitable circumstances which forced us to give up the exploration. Read about the scary exploration here. 

The place is lonesome and midst the nature. There is a small hilly river the water of which is cold, fresh & green in color. There are trees and greenery around. People often sit on the rocks, putting their feet into the cold water, in middle of the small rivulet type river to enjoy the serenity.

Pristine water of river tons at Tapkeshwar Mahadev

There are birds chirping around and though this temple is famous but is hardly crowded on regular days. The greenery around, the cold water and no rush make it an ideal place to enjoy the nature.

On other side of the river, there are small caves and a few temples which include Santoshi maa temple and Hanuman Jee temple. The rocks could still be seen hanging from the ceiling of the temple.

Rocks hanging from the Ceiling of the temple

In the night, the temple is decorated well and it looks more serene with so many lonely lights of the temple amid the nature.

Tapkeshwar Mahadev at Night

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