Pandeshwar Mahadev Temple: The Grand Eleven Rudra Form of Lord Mahadev
Located in Viratnagar, Rajasthan, approximately 85 kilometers from Jaipur, the Pandeshwar Mahadev Temple is an ancient and historically significant religious site. Nestled inside a cave on the Panchkhand Mountain, this temple houses an extraordinary and majestic form of Lord Mahadev. The deity here is the sawa saat feet (about 7.25 feet) tall Ekadash Rudra (Eleven Rudras), captivating every devotee with its immense size and divine aura.
Devotees Flock from Across India and Abroad
The Pandeshwar Mahadev Temple attracts not just devotees from Rajasthan, but from all over India and even foreign countries. Especially during Mahashivratri, massive crowds of pilgrims gather here. Devotees firmly believe that merely having darshan (sight) of Lord Mahadev at this sacred spot eliminates all life’s sufferings and brings prosperity and happiness. The profound peace and divine atmosphere of the cave provide deep mental and inner tranquility to every visitor.
The 6-Ton Miraculous Shivling – Appears as if Constantly Bathed in Milk!
The Shivling here weighs around 6 tons and stands sawa saat feet tall. Skilled artisans carved it from black stone brought from Bhainslana, right within the temple premises. Looking at this Shivling gives the impression that it is continuously being bathed in milk. Alongside the Shivling, Nandi (Lord Shiva’s bull) is also enshrined in the cave. Every year on Mahashivratri, a grand three-day fair is held here, drawing saints and devotees not only from India but from abroad as well.
A Historic Mystery Linked to the Mahabharata Era
This site is connected to the Mahabharata period. The Virat Parva of the Mahabharata mentions this mountain, where the Pandavas hid their weapons in a cave during their year of incognito exile (agyatvas). The cave where Lord Mahadev now resides is formed by three massive rocks and has three entrances. Emperor Ashoka is also said to have spent 300 days on this very mountain. Even today, many sadhus and saints come here to perform penance.
Ekadash Rudra: The Unique Union of Lord Shiva’s 11, Divine Forms
Lord Shiva is believed to manifest in Eleven Rudras (Ekadash Rudra). One of Shiva’s names is ‘Rudra,’ meaning the destroyer of sorrow. In his fierce form, Rudra makes enemies weep while protecting the gods; this form is said to reside in heaven for the welfare of the deities. At Pandeshwar Mahadev Temple, devotees witness this powerful Rudra form of Lord Shiva.
Pre-Mahabharata Agyatvas and the Miracle of Bhimtalta Kund
Tradition holds that this place dates back even before the Mahabharata events. After 12 years of forest exile, the Pandavas spent one year in incognito exile in Viratnagar. After slaying Keechaka, Bhima struck the ground with his foot to bring forth water and bathed there, leading to the creation of Bhimtalta Kund. Locals say the depth of this pond remains unknown to this day, its water source is a mystery, and the water level never decreases-no matter how severe the drought. Elders and villagers have passed down the belief that the pond’s water has never diminished, even in years without rain.
The Tale of the Aghori and the Sealed Cave
According to the temple’s 13th Acharya, Swami Somendra Maharaj, hundreds of years ago, an Aghori ascetic lived in this cave on the mountain. When asked to leave the hill, a small Shivling was present in the cave. As a devotee of Lord Shiva, the Aghori sealed the cave’s entrance with stones to protect the Shivling from any harm during his absence. Viratnagar has been a land of penance for saints for thousands of years. Swami Ramchandra Veer Maharaj performed intense tapasya here for many years, and Acharya Swami Dharmendra initiated the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi movement while residing at this site.
Many Shankaracharyas and prominent leaders have visited here in the past.
Festivals and Fairs Celebrated
Throughout the Year At Pandeshwar Mahadev Temple, numerous festivals are observed year-round. These include the annual Patotsav (fair) of Shri Vajrangdev Mahaprabhu on Magh Shukla Trayodashi, the grand Mahashivratri fair in Phalgun, Hanuman Jayanti, Narsimha Jayanti, and Guru Purnima on Chaitra Purnima, among others.
This temple is not merely a center of faith but a living witness to history, mysteries, and miracles. If you ever visit Viratnagar, be sure to seek the darshan of Pandeshwar Mahadev-where Lord Bholenath himself calls devotees!