Mahakal Temple, Darjeeling

The Mahakal Temple or Mahakal Mandir (Nepali: महाकाल मन्दिर. Translation: The master of Kaal [time]) is a sacred Hindu temple located in Darjeeling in the state of West Bengal, India dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, the third god in the Hindu triumvirate. The Temple was built in 1782 by Lama Dorjey Rinzing and is perched atop the Observatory Hill in Darjeeling and is an amalgamation of Hindu and Buddhist religions. It is a unique religious site where both religions coexist harmoniously.[1][2][3][4]

Mahakal Temple
महाकाल मन्दिर
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
District	Darjeeling district
Deity	Shiva
Festivals	All major Hindu and Buddhist festivals
Location
Location	Darjeeling
State	West Bengal
Country	India
Architecture
Type	Temple
Creator	Lama Dorjey Rinzing
Date established	1782

History

Mahakal Temple stands as a historical edifice on the spot where a Buddhist Monastery named 'Dorje-Ling' once stood which was built by Lama Dorjey Rinzing in 1765. Prior to that it is believed that the spot was a sacred spot of the aboriginal Lepcha folks. Later a monastery was constructed on the spot and worshipped by both Lepchas and Bhutias. It was after the invasion of the Gurkha Army around 1788 that the monastery was desecrated and destroyed by the invading troops and in course of time the sacred place overwhelmingly began to represent the Hindu symbolisms of the majority Nepali community. Legend has it that three Shiva-Lingas representing Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar (Shiva) manifested themselves at the site in 1782. The monastery itself was plundered and destroyed in 1815 during the Gorkha invasion after which it was shifted to Bhutia Busty about a mile away and was called the Bhutia Busty Monastery. The Temple is a much revered and visited religious shrine of the area.[3][5]

Legend has it that the name Darjeeling was derived from the name of the monastery 'Dorje-Ling' itself.

Temple complex

The main Mahakal temple is devoted to Shiva and it witness devotees from all sections of society and religions most visiting the temple for both leisure or pilgrimage. Bells and hundreds of colorful prayer flags line the up-hill walk and the shrine.

The three gold plated Lingams inside the main temple represent Hindu Gods Brahma, Bishnu and Maheswar. There are idols of Buddha alongside the Lingams where both a Hindu priest and a Buddhist monk perform religious rituals and offer prayers simultaneously.

Within the temple complex is a white 'chorten' (Tibetan memorial shrine) where lies the relics of Dorjey Rinzing Lama the original builder of the site. Dotted around are many other smaller shrines and temples dedicated to Goddess Kali, Goddess Durga, Saat Kanya Bhagavati Devi, Ganesha, Krishna, Rama, Shirdi Sai Baba, Hanuman, Goddess Parvati, Radha and other Gods and Goddesses.

Location

Entrance to the Mahakal temple complex

Mahakal Temple is located behind the Chowrasta and encircled by the Mall Road on the ridge of Darjeeling town. The approach is an uphill narrow road about 100 yards from the Mall and is accessible by foot only.[6]

A Buddhist monk next to the entrance to the Mahakal temple complex. Nandi the sacred bull (Shiva's vehicle on the bottom right). Colorful prayer flags behind the monk.

Geographic significance

The Observatory Hill itself is rich in flora and fauna unique to the Himalayan range of mountains and the full range of third highest peak in the world mount Kanchenjunga can be witnessed from atop the temple complex.[1]

See also

• Chowrasta Darjeeling
• Observatory Hill, Darjeeling
• Bhutia Busty Monastery

References

1. "The Mahakal Mandir in Darjeeling - Outlook Traveller". www.outlookindia.com. Retrieved 2018-08-15.
2. win7. "Darjeeling Observatory Hill & Mahakal Temple". www.darjeeling-tourism.com. Retrieved 2018-08-15.
3. "Mahakal Temple Darjeeling, Mahakal Mandir in Darjeeling". www.darjeelingonline.in. Retrieved 2018-08-15.
4. "Mahakal Temple in Darjeeling India - Attractions in Darjeeling MakeMyTrip.com". www.makemytrip.com. Retrieved 2018-08-15.
5. "Mahakal Mandir in Darjeeling connects both Hindus and Buddhists". Detechter. 2018-06-05. Retrieved 2018-08-15.
6. Tourism, Darjeeling Adventure. "Mahakal Temple Darjeeling, Places to visit in Darjeeling, Observatory Hill (Mahakal Mandir) Darjeeling". darjeelingadventuretourism.com. Retrieved 2018-08-15.