124 Ancient Stone Temples Amid Cedar Forests – Almora
Jageshwar Dham is one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand, comprising a complex of 124 ancient stone temples nestled in a dense deodar (cedar) forest in the Jataganga valley, near Almora. The temples date back to the 7th–12th centuries and are dedicated primarily to Lord Shiva.
Jageshwar is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva according to some traditions – specifically the "Nagesh" Jyotirlinga. The Nagesh (or Nagesha) shrine is the main sanctum of the Jageshwar Dham complex. The entire complex is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and is of immense historical and archaeological significance.
| Day | Route | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Kathgodam → Almora → Jageshwar | Drive 155 km. En route Almora town visit. Evening aarti at Jageshwar. |
| Day 2 | Jageshwar Darshan | Full-day temple complex exploration. Vriddha Jageshwar (9 km trek optional). |
| Day 3 | Jageshwar → Almora → Kathgodam | Sunrise puja, Almora market, return to Kathgodam. |