Birthplace of Ashwathama Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple Dehradun

Birthplace of Ashwathama
Statue of Ashwathama in Tapkeshwar Temple Dehradun

Tapkeshwar Temple Dehradun is the birthplace of Ashwathama. Here people can also see Ashwathama temple, which is located at Tapkeshwar Mandir Dehradun.

Ashwathama was a very famous warrior in Mahabharata times who fought with Kauravas against the Pandavas in Mahabharat. Ashwathama was the son of great Guru Dronacharya.

Due to his father's name, Ashwathama was also known Drauni. Ashwathama cry like a running horse at birth hence he got the name Ashwathama.

Ashwathama's meaning is Horse voice. Ashwathama's mother's name was Kripi. Ashwathama was a devotee of Lord Shiv.

Ashwathama had a gem since birth on his forehead which made Ashwathama powerful than common humans.

History of Ashwathama Birth Place Tapkeshwar Dham

Dehradun Tourist Places
Tapkeshwar Temple Dehradun

Tapkeshwar Dham is a very old and historical place where Gods and many Rishis did penance of Swayambhu Shivling. At that time this temple was famous as the Tapeshwar temple.

Guru Dronacharya was come here after traveling to many places. Then a Rishi suggested him to go to Tapeshwar temple and start the penance of Lord Shiva.

Guru Dronacharya was very happy to see this very beautiful place and start living here. Guru Dronacharya did Tapasya of Lord Shiva here. 

They did twelve years Tapasya for Lord Shiva. Guru Dronacharya wants to learn archery from Lord Shiva. Lord Shiv becomes happy with Dronancharya and teaches them archery and warfare.

Guru Dronacharya's wife wanted a child and Dronacharya wants a powerful son like Lord Shiva then they again start Lord Shiv worship. Later, Guru Dronacharya's wife gives birth to a very healthy baby boy. Guru Dronacharya named the child Ashwathama.

Dronacharya was an expert in warfare and learned many arts from Lord Shiva. Although he was living a very simple life with limited money. 

As a result, Dronacharya unable to give milk to Ashwathama because they had no cow. That time Ashwathama's mother also unable to feed his milk.

Ashwathama never drunk the milk since birth that's why he did not know about the milk. Once he knows about the milk from his friend. So he demanded the milk from his mother.

Ashwathama’s mother was unable to provide him milk. Then Ashwathama goes to his father Guru Dronacharya for milk. His father was also unable to give him milk. Then Guru Dronachrya suggested to Ashwathama to do Tapasya of Lord Shiva for the milk.

Ashwathama started the Tapasya of Lord Shiva. Ashwathama did very hard penance for Lord Shiva by standing on a single leg. Lord Shiva very happy with Ashwathama Tapasya and came in front of him. 

Lord Shiva asked to Ashwathama for demanding his wish. So Ashwathama demanded milk. Then a stream of milk started from the cave and dropping on Shivling. Ashwathama drinks this milk from the Shivling's feet.

After Ashwathama's Tapasya, Lord Shiva blessed him in the Tapeshwar temple. So there was continuous milk dripping on Shivling. So that time this temple was popular as Dudheshwar. 

Later on in Kalyug due to misuse of this milk, this milk turns into water. That’s why this Shiv temple called Tapkeshwar.

Tapkeshwar temple is situated in Dehradun and now known as Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple or Tapkeshwar Dham. 

This natural cave is also famous as 'Dron Cave' because Guru Dronacharya did 'Tapasya' here. Dehradun is also popular as Drona Nagari.

Ashwathama Temple inside Tapkeshwar Temple Dehradun

Shiv Temples in Dehradun
Tapkeshwar Mahadev Mandir Ashwathama Gate

Tapkeshwar Dham is also popular as Guru Dronacharya Tapasthali and Drone Gupha. You can also see statues of Guru Dronacharya and the metallic statute of Ashwathama inside the Tapkeshwar temple.

There are clearly mention about the Ashwathama and his birth-related history. Lord Shiva devotees come to Tapkeshwar temple and also see the Ashwathama temple inside the Tapkeshwar temple. They offer flowers also on the statue of Ashwathama.

Ashwathama Story

Ashwathama was the son of Dronacharya and Kripi (sister of Kripacharya). Ashwathama was Lord Shiva devotee and also did penance of Lord Shiva. It is believed that Ashwathama was the eleventh Rudra Avatar and one of the seven immortal peoples. 

He had a mani on his forehead who made him more powerful than other humans. As per mythology, Ashwathama had the power of becoming invisible and visible as per wish.

For better care of Ashwathama Guru Dronacharya went to his friend King Drupada for help but King Drupada refused to help him and also dishonor him. Then his wife's brother Kripacharya called him to Hastinapur. 

Here Guru Dronacharya became the teacher of Kauravas and Pandavas. Ashwathama also learned all arts here with Kauravas and Pandavas. 

Ashwathama along with his father fought in the Mahabharata from the Kauravas side against the Pandavas. Ashwathama is believed to be the living survivor of the Mahabharat war.

Ashwathama Cursed by Shree Krishna

After the death of Duryodhana, Ashwathama plans to kill all Pandavas during sleeping. But unfortunately, Ashwathama killed all the 5 sleeping sons of Pandavas and burn the camp. 

When Pandavas hear this news, they search Ashwathama and found him in Vyasa Ashram. Ashwathama who swore to kill Pandavas triggered the Brahmashirsha.

Then Shree Krishna said to Arjuna to use the same Astra against Ashwathama. After seeing this situation, Vyasa Rishi asked both warriors to stop their Brahmashirsha to prevent the Earth from destroying. 

Arjuna was able to stop their weapon but Ashwathama was unable to stop. So instead to direct Brahmashirsha to the lifeless area, Ashwathama directed to the womb of Abhimanu's wife Uttara.

Lord Shree Krishna revive Uttara's son later but Shree Krishna very angry with the Ashwathama and cursed him. As punishment, Ashwathama had to give his gem to him. Shree Krishna cursed him to live 3000 years and roam in forests with wounds on his forehead.

Mythologies of Ashwathama

As per mythology, Ashwathama still comes to Asirgarh Fort Lord Shiva temple and worships Lord Shiva daily. Asirgarh Fort temple is situated in Burhanpur district in Madhya Pradesh.

Ashwathama Died or Not?

As per Shiv Mahapuran, Ashwathama is immortal and living near the holy river Ganga. But if we consider the cursed years of Ashwathama given by Shree Krishna then 3000 years completed and 2000 extra years also completed because Mahabharta is about 5000 years old. So Ashwathama should be dead.

How to Reach Tapkeshwar Temple

Tapkeshwar Dham is situated near the Garhi Cantt, Dehradun. It is about 6 km from the main city of Dehradun. You easily get a direct city bus from the ISBT bus stands for the Garhi Cantt. 

The Tapkeshwar temple is approximately 2 km far away from the city bus stoppage of Garhi Cantt. It will be a 15-20 minutes walkable distance if you are single.

The best way to go there by own vehicle. So you reach up to the temple easily. You can also book a private taxi or cab it will be a good option for going to Tapkeshwar temple from anywhere in Dehradun.

For more details please visit: Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple Dehradun

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