KANKHAL

Location: 5 Kms From Haridwar (Uttranchal )
Significance: Important Hindu Pilgrimage
Major Attraction: Daksha Prajapati Mandir

Uttaranchal Guide

The Daksh Prajapati Temple, Kankhal , uttranchal , Kankhal, uttranchal Kankhal is a small town, located 5 kms from Haridwar. One of the ‘Punch Teerth’ (five Pilgrimages - Ganga, Kushwart, Bilwa Teerth, Neel Parvat and Kankhal), the Mahadev Temple and Sati Kund here are associated with the immolation of Sati, first wife of lord Shiva. This is the place where Daksha Prajapati Mandir is situated.

THE LEGEND
Legend has it that Sati, the first wife of lord Shiva immolated herself in the fire of the yagna that was being performed by her father, Daksha Prajapati. Daksha did not invite Lord Shiva and hence Sati felt insulted. Therefore she burned herself in the "yagya kund'.

This incident provoked the disciples and followers of Mahadev who killed King Daksha, but later on Lord Mahadev brought him back to life. Daksha Mahadev temple is thus, a tribute to this legend.

PRIME ATTRACTIONS

Religious Places
Daksha Mahadev Temple:
The ancient temple of Daksha Mahadev is situated in the south of the town of Kankhal.

Sati Kund:
Sati, the first wife of lord Shiva is said to have sacrificed her life by jumping into the sacrificial fire, in this place.

Nileshwar Mahadev Temple:
This is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva was, when the yagya being performed by the Sati’s father, Daksha, was abruptly terminated.
Kankhal is a major shopping centre of the Haridwar region.

HOW TO GET THERE

Air: The nearest airport from Haridwar is Jolly Grant in Dehradun.
Rail: Haridwar is a major railway station, situated justt 5-km away from Kankhal. Being a major pilgrimage center, Haridwar is well connected by trains to all the major towns of India.
Road: The National Highway No - 45 crosses through the city of Haridwar, so it is connected to other cities of the State as well as other towns in India in an efficient manner. There are buses available from Delhi to this place. The state transport has ordinary as well as deluxe and semi-deluxe buses on this route for long distance travel. There are private buses avaialable too, which will take you to nearby places and some of these private deluxe buses run on the long distance routes.

PLACES TO STAY

Kankhal is also considered an important religious place, being a neighbour to Haridwar and pilgrims as well as tourits can get quite a resonable number of accommodations over here. Still if you are looking for better options, there's always Haridwar where there are numerous Dharamshalas and hotels avaialable to stay.