Bhootnath Temple is an ancient temple and one of the famous temples in Himachal Pradesh. The controlling deity is the Great Lord Shiva and was built when State Capital was shifted from Bhiuli to present place. Bhootnath Temple, with an idol of a manifestation of god Shiva, is synonymous with Mandi. The idol of Nandi, the sacred bull stands to face the ornamental double arch of the sanctuary.
Shrine’s History
The Bhootnath Temple is an ancient temple and one of the famous temples in Himachal Pradesh. The controlling deity is the Great Lord Shiva and was built when State Capital was shifted from Bhiuli to present place. Bhootnath Temple, with an idol of a manifestation of god Shiva, is synonymous with Mandi. The idol of Nandi, the sacred bull stands to face the ornamental double arch of the sanctuary. The overhang, cellar and mandap are incised with delicate figures of elephants. The Nandi, Shiva’s mount, faces the deity from the ornamented double-arched entrance.
The temple built in Shikhara style of a framework, dating back to the period of 1520 and was built by Raja Ajber Sen in 1527 AD. The modern shrines that are close by are brightly painted.
Raja Ajber Sen perceive the story of a cow presenting milk on her own volition to a particular stone in a forest.Lord Shiva is said to have appeared in the Rajas dream and directed him to extract the Shiva Linga that was buried at that site.Thereafter,the Raja found the Shiva Linga at the indicated location, which he deified in a temple that he constructed in 1526, at the place it was found. He called it the “Bhootnath Temple” and started the observance of the Shivaratri festival at mandi. Concurrent with this event, the Raja shifted his capital from Bhiuli to Mandi.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By RoadBoothnath temple is accessible by road from Shimla, Chandigarh, Pathankot and Delhi. By RailThe nearest railway stations are Joginder Nagar and Shimla by narrow gauge train. It is connected to Chandigarh and Kalka by broad gauge line of the Indian RailwaysBy AirKullu-Manali airport Bhuntar is the nearest airport, it is about 45 km from Mandi town.
Shrine Timings
06:00 to 20:00
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Shivaratri
Extra Information About this Shrine
Shivratri Festival Celebration in Mandi
During the festival of Mahashivratri, the temple is decorated in a grand way, and people from Mandi and surrounding places arrive here to offer their prayers as well as some people participate in the cultural programmes conducted here. This festival has been considered as the prime event and the central point of the 7-day festival.