Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple
Haridwar, Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple — commonly called Daksha Mahadev — stands in the ancient neighbourhood of Kankhal, roughly 4 km south of Haridwar's Har Ki Pauri, and is among the most storied Shiva shrines in the whole Ganga-pilgrimage region. It marks the mythological site of the Daksha-yagna, the great fire sacrifice performed by King Daksha Prajapati, father of Sati and father-in-law of Shiva. In the Puranic account, Daksha pointedly did not invite Shiva to the ceremony; Sati, unable to bear the insult to her husband, cast herself into the sacrificial fire. An enraged Shiva sent his fearsome emanation Veerbhadra, who destroyed the yagna and beheaded Daksha — later restored, in the traditional telling, with the head of a goat. The temple is understood by devotees to stand on this very ground, which lends Kankhal an unusually charged place in Shaivite sacred geography.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Temple-lane stalls at Kankhal — prasad pedas, laddoos, chai and simple pure-veg snacks; the entire neighbourhood is vegetarian by custom.
- ✦Pure-veg North Indian thali houses of the Haridwar bazaar (a short auto ride toward Har Ki Pauri) — reported reliable, confirm hours locally.
- ✦Mathura-style kachori-jalebi and chaat vendors around Kankhal market — pure-veg; freshest in the morning.
- ✦Aashram and dharamshala bhojanalayas in Kankhal — simple satvik meals, often no-onion-no-garlic; timings vary, ask on arrival.
About
Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple — commonly called Daksha Mahadev — stands in the ancient neighbourhood of Kankhal, roughly 4 km south of Haridwar's Har Ki Pauri, and is among the most storied Shiva shrines in the whole Ganga-pilgrimage region.
- It marks the mythological site of the Daksha-yagna, the great fire sacrifice performed by King Daksha Prajapati, father of Sati and father-in-law of Shiva.
- In the Puranic account, Daksha pointedly did not invite Shiva to the ceremony; Sati, unable to bear the insult to her husband, cast herself into the sacrificial fire.
- An enraged Shiva sent his fearsome emanation Veerbhadra, who destroyed the yagna and beheaded Daksha — later restored, in the traditional telling, with the head of a goat.
- The temple is understood by devotees to stand on this very ground, which lends Kankhal an unusually charged place in Shaivite sacred geography.
- The present structure is a Nagara-style temple: a single tall shikhara (spire) rising over the sanctum, ringed by smaller domes and subsidiary shrines.
- It was built by Queen Dhankaur in 1810 and substantially rebuilt in 1962, and has been maintained over generations by the Landaura estate lineage.
- Within the complex a devotee finds the Shiva sanctum with its Shivalinga, the revered yagna kund (sacrificial fire-pit) associated with the Daksha rite, a Das Mahavidya shrine dedicated to the ten aspects of the Goddess, and a small Ganga temple.
- A short walk away are Daksha Ghat on the river and the linked Sati Kund, where the self-immolation is commemorated.
- Mahashivratri is the temple's supreme occasion, when enormous crowds of kanwariyas and pilgrims converge and the Kankhal lanes fill with chanting and processions; Navratri and the month of Shravan also draw large congregations, and Mondays are the weekly day of Shiva.
- Visitors of all faiths are welcome: remove footwear before entering, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, and stay quiet during aarti.
- A note of caution around Shivratri — Haridwar and nearby Neelkanth see the intoxicant bhang appear in the crowds; families should simply steer clear of it and keep to the temple's devotional atmosphere.
- For vegetarian travellers, Kankhal could hardly be more comfortable.
- Haridwar is a holy town that is vegetarian and alcohol-free by custom and law, so every eatery in the neighbourhood is pure-veg by default; the lanes near the temple offer prasad sweets, chai, and simple satvik thalis, and the pure-veg North Indian thali houses and Mathura-style vendors of the wider Haridwar bazaar are a short auto ride away.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Kankhal, near Daksha Ghat on the Ganga, about 4 km south of Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, 249408
How to Reach: Kankhal, about 4 km south of Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar. From Har Ki Pauri an auto-rickshaw or e-rickshaw costs around ₹60–100 and takes 15–20 minutes; shared vikrams (tempos) run along the Kankhal route for a few rupees. From Haridwar Junction railway station it is roughly 5 km (₹80–120 by auto, 20 minutes). Combine easily with the nearby Sati Kund and Daksha Ghat on foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story behind Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple in Kankhal?
The temple marks the mythological site of the Daksha-yagna, a great fire sacrifice performed by King Daksha Prajapati. Because Daksha did not invite his son-in-law Lord Shiva, Sati — Daksha's daughter and Shiva's consort — self-immolated in the sacrificial fire out of grief and insult. An enraged Shiva sent his emanation Veerbhadra, who destroyed the sacrifice and beheaded Daksha (later restored with a goat's head in the traditional account). The temple is believed to stand on this very ground in Kankhal, Haridwar.
What are the timings of Daksha Mahadev Temple?
The temple is reported to open around 6:00 AM and close by about 8:00 PM daily, sometimes with a short midday break, and morning and evening aarti are held. Timings can shift on festival days, so it is best to confirm locally — Mahashivratri in particular runs on an extended schedule with all-night activity.
Is there an entry fee for Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple?
No, entry is free. Like other Ganga-pilgrimage temples in Haridwar, it is an active place of worship open to everyone regardless of faith, with no admission ticket.
How do I reach Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple from Har Ki Pauri?
Kankhal is about 4 km south of Har Ki Pauri. An auto-rickshaw or e-rickshaw costs around ₹60–100 and takes 15–20 minutes, and shared vikram tempos run the Kankhal route very cheaply. From Haridwar Junction railway station it is roughly 5 km (about ₹80–120 by auto, 20 minutes). Once there, the Sati Kund and Daksha Ghat are within an easy walk.
When is the best time to visit, and what should I keep in mind?
Mahashivratri (February/March) is the temple's grandest occasion, though it is extremely crowded; Mondays and the Shravan month are excellent for calmer Shiva worship, and October to March offers the most pleasant weather. Remove footwear before entering, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, and stay quiet during aarti. Around Shivratri the intoxicant bhang can appear in the Haridwar crowds — families are best keeping well clear of it and focusing on the temple's devotional atmosphere.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near the temple?
Very easily — Kankhal and all of Haridwar are vegetarian and alcohol-free by custom, so every eatery nearby is pure-veg. The temple lanes have prasad sweets, chai and simple satvik snacks; Mathura-style kachori-jalebi vendors sit around Kankhal market; and pure-veg thali houses of the Haridwar bazaar are a short auto ride toward Har Ki Pauri. Ashram and dharamshala kitchens in Kankhal also serve plain satvik meals, though hours vary — ask on arrival.