Daksha Mahadev Temple is an ancient
Shiva shrine located at
Kankhal in
Haridwar District of
Uttaranchal. Kankhal is about 4 km from
Haridwar.
This beautiful temple is an attribute to a myth related to Daksha Yagya. The central image at the temple is a shivling.
According to the myth, Shiva's father-in-law Daksha Prajapati performed a yagya. Daksha did not invite Lord Shiva and Sati felt insulted. Therefore Sati self-immolated in the yagya kund. Consequently, Daksha was killed by the followers of Lord Shiva and later he was brought to life by the Lord.
There is a pit, which is said to be the location of King Daksha's sacrificial fire, on the grounds of the temple. The temple is considered as one of the five holy places in Haridwar. A large number of people from far and near gather here on the occasion of Shivratri.
