HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE OF SHAIVA TEMPLES BUILT IN KUMAON REGION DURING KATYURI AND CHAND

Abstract

The state of Uttarakhand was formed on 9 November 2000. Which is divided into Garhwal and Kumaon. Kumaon (N 29° 45' 21.6", E 79° 25' 36.426"). The area shares borders with China and Nepal. In Kumaon, the belief of Shaivites is more than Vaishnav sect, due to which the construction of Shaivite temples was more here. It is not possible to tell date wise how and when the temple was built by man. But with the help of current technology, their construction date can be estimated. The construction of temples can be considered about 9 to 10 thousand years ago from today. Temples are mentioned in Ramayana and the period of Ramayana is believed to be about 7000 to 7500 years from today. Vedic period can mainly be considered as the period of contemplation and meditation. During this period, the work of composition of Vedas, Upanishads was done by sages, due to which the work of temple construction could not be done, but by the time of Gupta period, ancient Hindu temples were renovated and given grandeur to them. Shiva had become famous as a major deity since the Vedic period. In place of Shiva's idol and lingo, the construction of the temple has now gained momentum. From the time of the Gupta period, the construction of Shaivite temples increased and, in this sequence, the work of revival and new construction of grand Shaivite temples started in Kumaon as well.