Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple
Pauri, Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Tarkeshwar Mahadev is one of the most atmospheric Shiva shrines in the Garhwal Himalaya — a Siddha-peeth (a place of accomplished spiritual power) set amid a thick, high-altitude forest of deodar (Himalayan cedar) and pine at roughly 1,800 metres, in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. The temple takes its name from the demon Tarkasur, who in the Puranic legend performed severe penance to Lord Shiva at this very spot; after Tarkasur was defeated by Kartikeya, he sought forgiveness, and Shiva graciously allowed his name to be joined with his own — hence Tark-eshwar, "the Lord of Tarkasur." The presiding form is a Shivalinga sheltered beneath an idol of Shiva, with an adjoining shrine to the Goddess (Shakti), so pilgrims honour both the ascetic and the divine-mother aspects of the site.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Temple prasad and festival langar – simple satvik, pure-vegetarian offerings prepared by the temple committee, especially around Shivratri; treat as devotional prasad rather than a full meal.
- ✦Small roadside dhabas around Gumkhal / Diwalikhal (on the approach) – order a freshly cooked vegetarian thali, aloo-paratha or Maggi; Pauri Garhwal is a mixed district, so confirm the kitchen is pure-veg before ordering.
- ✦Vegetarian-friendly eateries in Lansdowne town – a few cafes and bhojanalayas serve good veg thalis and snacks; ask specifically for the pure-vegetarian kitchen, as Lansdowne is a mixed hill town.
- ✦Carry your own water, fruit and packed snacks – the temple sits in remote forest with only basic tea and prasad stalls nearby, so self-catering is the safest pure-veg option.
About
Tarkeshwar Mahadev is one of the most atmospheric Shiva shrines in the Garhwal Himalaya — a Siddha-peeth (a place of accomplished spiritual power) set amid a thick, high-altitude forest of deodar (Himalayan cedar) and pine at roughly 1,800 metres, in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand.
- The temple takes its name from the demon Tarkasur, who in the Puranic legend performed severe penance to Lord Shiva at this very spot; after Tarkasur was defeated by Kartikeya, he sought forgiveness, and Shiva graciously allowed his name to be joined with his own — hence Tark-eshwar, "the Lord of Tarkasur." The presiding form is a Shivalinga sheltered beneath an idol of Shiva, with an adjoining shrine to the Goddess (Shakti), so pilgrims honour both the ascetic and the divine-mother aspects of the site.
- What lingers most in visitors' memories is the setting and the sound.
- The sanctum stands within a grove of towering deodars; local tradition holds that Goddess Parvati took the form of these evergreens to shade the meditating Shiva, and devotees point out how the oldest trees seem to trace the sacred syllable "Om." Over generations, worshippers who have had a prayer fulfilled return to tie a brass bell in gratitude, and today thousands of bells of every size hang from the temple's beams, walls and surrounding trees — a soft, continuous chiming in the mountain wind that gives the forest clearing an almost otherworldly hush.
- The temple is reached by a scenic drive north of Lansdowne (about 36–38 km, roughly 1.5–2 hours over hill roads via Gumkhal and Diwalikhal), followed by a short, gentle walk of a few hundred metres through the cedars — an easy pilgrimage that doubles as a beautiful nature ramble.
- The final stretch of forest path is cool, shaded and birdsong-rich, and the panoramas of forested ridges on the approach are superb.
- For vegetarian travellers the site is naturally suited: the temple committee traditionally offers simple satvik prasad, and on festival days a langar (community meal) is prepared in the pure-vegetarian idiom of a Shiva shrine.
- Because Pauri Garhwal is otherwise a mixed hill district, carry your own water and snacks, and choose eateries carefully on the drive.
- Mahashivratri (February/March) is the temple's great occasion, when a special all-day worship draws pilgrims and the committee's dharamshala shelters those who stay the night.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Tarkeshwar, in the deodar forest off the Lansdowne–Pauri road (via Gumkhal / Diwalikhal), Pauri Garhwal, Pauri, Uttarakhand, 246169
How to Reach: The temple lies in deodar forest north of Lansdowne in Pauri Garhwal, about 36–38 km (1.5–2 hours) via Gumkhal and Diwalikhal over winding hill roads; a taxi or self-drive is the practical way, followed by a short walk of a few hundred metres through the cedars to the shrine. From Pauri town it is roughly 35–40 km. The nearest major railhead is Kotdwar (about 100–110 km), and the nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun (about 150 km). There is no metro or public transport to the temple itself — arrange a car and confirm the route locally, as the last stretch is a narrow forest road.
More places in Pauri
- Jwalpa Devi TempleA revered riverside Shakti shrine to Durga as Jwalpeshwari on the bank of the Nayar, linked to Adi Shankaracharya and thronged during Navratri.
- Danda Nagraja TempleA revered hilltop shrine roughly 34 km from Pauri where Krishna is worshipped as Nag Devta (the serpent lord), famed for its sweeping Himalayan panorama and the great Baisakhi fair.
- Sidhbali Baba Dham, KotdwarA hilltop Hanuman Siddha-peeth rising above the Khoh river at Kotdwar — the Nath-tradition 'Sidhbali Baba' shrine famed for wish-fulfilment, bell offerings, community bhandaras and a huge annual fair.
- Kandoliya Devta Mahadev TempleA hilltop Shiva shrine ringed by oak and deodar forest about 2 km above Pauri — revered as the guardian deity (kul devta) of the town, with sweeping views across the Gangwarsyun valley to the snow peaks.
- Kyunkaleshwar Mahadev TempleAn ancient stone Shiva shrine, traditionally dated to the 8th century, crowning a forested ridge above Pauri with sweeping Himalayan and Alaknanda-valley panoramas.
- Bhulla Tal LakeA tranquil pine-ringed artificial lake at Lansdowne (~1,700 m), built and maintained by the Garhwal Rifles, with gentle paddle-boating, manicured lawns and a children's park — a gentle family picnic spot.
- Nag Dev TempleA forested hilltop shrine to Nag Devta, the serpent deity, reached by a short pine-and-rhododendron walk above Pauri with a wide Himalayan panorama.
- Bhairav Garhi Temple (Langurgarh)A hilltop Kaal Bhairav shrine on the old Langurgarh (Langoor Garh) peak near Gumkhal — one of Garhwal's historic 52 garhs, reached by a short forest trek to sweeping Himalayan panoramas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple and how high is it?
Tarkeshwar Mahadev is in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, set in a dense deodar (Himalayan cedar) forest at roughly 1,800 metres, about 36–38 km north of Lansdowne. It is a Shiva Siddha-peeth reached by a scenic hill drive followed by a short walk through the cedars.
What is the story behind the name Tarkeshwar?
According to Puranic legend, the demon Tarkasur performed intense penance to Lord Shiva at this spot. After Tarkasur was defeated by Kartikeya he asked forgiveness, and Shiva allowed the demon's name to be joined with his own — giving Tark-eshwar, 'the Lord of Tarkasur.' The temple enshrines a Shivalinga with an adjoining shrine to the Goddess (Shakti).
Why are there so many bells at Tarkeshwar Mahadev?
Devotees whose prayers have been answered return to tie a brass bell at the temple as a mark of gratitude. Over generations thousands of bells of every size have accumulated on the temple's beams, walls and the surrounding deodar trees, and their gentle chiming in the forest wind is one of the shrine's most memorable features.
Is there an entry fee for Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple?
No, entry is free. As an active Shiva temple it is open to all devotees and visitors; you may wish to make a voluntary offering. There is no ticket for the temple or the short forest walk that leads to it.
How do I reach Tarkeshwar Mahadev and how difficult is the walk?
Drive north from Lansdowne (about 36–38 km, 1.5–2 hours via Gumkhal and Diwalikhal) or roughly 35–40 km from Pauri town, then walk a few hundred metres through the deodar forest to the shrine. The walk is short and gentle, suitable for most visitors, though the final road is narrow — arrange a taxi or self-drive and confirm the route locally. The nearest railhead is Kotdwar and the nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun.
Where can I find vegetarian food near Tarkeshwar Mahadev?
The temple itself offers simple satvik prasad and, on festival days, a pure-vegetarian langar. For a proper meal, small dhabas around Gumkhal and Diwalikhal on the approach serve vegetarian thalis and parathas, and Lansdowne town has vegetarian-friendly eateries — since Pauri Garhwal is a mixed district, always confirm the kitchen is pure-veg. It is wise to carry your own water and packed snacks, as the temple is in remote forest with only basic stalls nearby.
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