Jageshwar Temples

Jageshwar lies in a narrow valley at about 1,870 metres under old deodar cedars, and it holds one of the densest clusters of early stone temples in the Himalaya: over a hundred shrines in the main group, mostly small, built in the north Indian nagara style between roughly the seventh and twelfth centuries under the Katyuri and Chand dynasties, with more in nearby groups at Dandeshwar and Kuber. The main Jageshwar temple is counted among the jyotirlingas in local tradition. Stone sculpture from the site is displayed in a small archaeological museum, and the deodar grove itself is protected and unusually old.

What to look for

• The temple cluster - over a hundred stone shrines in one valley group.
• The deodar grove - old protected cedars enclosing the site.
• The nagara carving - seventh to twelfth century stonework and sculpture.
• The site museum - sculpture recovered from the temples.

When to go

March to June and September to November; the Shivratri fair in spring and the monsoon month of Shravan bring pilgrims. Winter is cold and often snowy, which suits the deodars.

What to expect

Most shrines are small and closed, viewed from outside. Photography inside the main temple is restricted. The site is a drive from Almora with few facilities beyond a couple of guesthouses.

Nearby

Almora lies southwest; Binsar is west.