The Dhirdham Temple
AN ELGIN EXCLUSIVE FEATURE By Katyayini Kesharwani
Image by @janhamadak, Instagram
When Shiva beats his Damru- the evil shakes while the wise awakes.
Dhirdham Temple is a Hindu temple deeply inspired by Tibetan and Buddhist architectural styles. It was built by Rai Saheb Purna Bahadur Pradhan in 1939 and is believed to be a reflection of the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal. The pagoda-style architecture of this temple is inspired from the Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal. This temple was built in the year 1939, under the patronage of Purna Bahadur Pradhan, Nepal’s reigning king at that time. Pradhan was also known as Rai Saheb, a title given by the Viceroy of India in 1936.
An aerial view of the Dhirdham Temple
The man behind the beautiful structure of the shrine was Beg Raj Sakya, an eminent Gorkha architect. The intricately carved and colourful roof of this temple is attractive, and the idol of Lord Shiva exudes palpable spiritual energy. It depicts “Pancha Bakram Tri Netram” which means five different facial expressions of Lord Shiva in different moods and the third eye. The idol of Lord Shiva is placed close to the entrance facing the temple and surrounded by a short height concrete fence. Three Shiva-lingas representing Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar are believed to have been manifested here. There is also stunning scenery of hills and valleys which you can enjoy from behind the temple.
Image by @aditijain_1612, Instagram
‘Om Namah Shivaya’, meaning, I honour the divinity that resides within me.
