The verdant valleys of Uttarakhand are a favourite haunt of gods. Since antiquity, many folk deities have been venerated in the Devbhoomi. Some deities such as Nagaraja, Ghandiyal, Narasimha, Bhumiyal, Bhairav, Bhadraj and Mahasu have a special place and are worshipped in different parts of Uttarakhand. Very few people know the story of mahasu devta.
Mahasu Devta belongs to the Jaunsar-Bawar region of Uttarakhand. The temple of Mahasu Devta is situated on the Tons riverbanks in the Hanol area of the Dehradun district. The name of the deity is collective, representing not one but four different forms of Lord Shiva. The word Mahasu is synonymous with Maha shiva.
Mahasu Devta is not only widely venerated in Uttarakhand, but is also held in high esteem in many parts of Himachal Pradesh. He is seen as the god of justice and his temple is thought of as a court.
Mahasu Devta Temple History
According to Hindu mythology, a demon called Mandarth lived in a village and would consume a person daily. This caused distress among the villagers, so a devotee of Lord Shiva prayed for help. Lord Shiva then requested Deolari Devi, another devotee of Shiva who lived in the same village, send her four sons to confront Mandarth. A fierce conflict ensued between four brothers and a demon, lasting several days. In the end, the brothers were able to defeat the demon. After a few years, a villager ploughing his field discovered four Shivalingas, named in honour of the four brave sons of Deolari Devi – Botha, Pavasik, Vasik, and Chalda. From then on, the villagers began to worship Lord Shiva as Mahasu Devta.
Mahasu Devta is viewed as a deity of justice and his rulings were seen as authentic by the public and local authorities. A temple for Mahasu Devta was constructed during the 9th century in the Huna architectural style. Over time, it developed a hybrid architecture. Presently, the Archaeological Survey of India is responsible for the upkeep of the temple.
Devotees are not allowed to enter the sanctorum of the Mahasu Devta temple. Only the priest of the temple can enter the temple. This thing is still a mystery. There is always a flame burning in the temple which has been burning for decades. A stream of water also emerges in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, but where it goes, from where it emerges is unknown.
Festival and Fair at Mahasu Devta Temple
Shaant festival is a three-day celebration held at Mahasu Devta Temple every year in August. This festival ceremony includes sacrifices of a large number of animals. But now this sacrifice is stopped by the pandits of the temple. And also allow the entry of ladies into the temple. This fair continued for three days and nights. Devotees from far away places attend this fair at Mahasu Devta Temple, Hanol
How to reach Mahasu Devta Temple , Hanol Uttarakhand
Location- Hanol , Dehradun district Uttarakhand
Hanol is located at 95km from chakrata via tuini, and from dehradun it is 183km via chakrata.
one can reach here by bus or taxi fron chakrata or dehradun, nearest rail head to hanol is dehradun (183km), by airways at jolly grant airport (207km). It will take around 6 hours to reach hanol freom dehradun.
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