The Shailya Shikhar Malikarjun Temple: A Legendary Abode of Lord Shiva

Shailya Shikhar Malikarjun Temple

There is a legend that Lord Shailya Malikarjun Deity came to the Shailya Shikhar of Malikarjun from a place called Katyur in India. Near Malikarjun, there are also temples of Lotinath, Kailpal, and Balichan deities. The local elders say that Lotinath is the son of Malikarjun, while Kailpal is the son of Lotinath’s maternal uncle.

Introduction

The Shailya Shikhar Malikarjun Temple is located in Malikarjun Village Municipality and Shailya Shikhar Municipality of Darchula district in the Lekam area of Nepal. In 2065 BS, the Government of Nepal declared this temple as the seventh holy site (Dham) of the country. Recognized as the nation’s seventh Dham and a major religious tourist destination of the district, the Malikarjun Temple celebrates its main festival (Jatra) in the months of Kartik or Mangsir, and the Gaura festival is held in the month of Bhadau every year.

The Shri Shailya Shikhardhaam is located at an altitude of 5,000 meters from this Malikarjun Temple. The festival is particularly celebrated at the Shailya Shikhardhaam on the days of Asar Shukla Chaturdashi and Kartik Shukla Trayodashi. Only married women and men who have taken the vow of celibacy (Bratbandha) are allowed to visit the Shri Shailya Shikhardhaam for darshan.

History

During the religious riots in India in the 16th century, Nepal was divided into various states and sub-states. The Malla dynasty kings ruled over the Doti state, which was part of the Karnali region. During the religious violence in India, Hindus from various parts of India migrated from one place to another to protect their religion. Historical evidence confirms that Indian Hindus entered Nepal along with their family deities.

In the process of protecting their religion and lives, Lord Shailya Malikarjun’s Shivalinga and Shaligram were brought to Ritha Chaupata of Darchula by Abhayraj Pandey, Nimnath Yogi, Bhimraj Bhatt, Dhiradhara Pahalwan, and Surdas Oji, passing through various places in India. It is believed that Abhayraj Pandey installed the Shivalinga and worshipped Malikarjun there. During the expansion of the Doti state, it is said that the kingdom reached areas like Garhwal and Dehradun in India. During the reign of King Nagi Malla of Doti, temples, dharmashalas, and stone inscriptions were built at various power centers and Shakti Peethas.

Religious and Cultural Significance

Since Lord Shiva is considered the supreme God (Devadhi-dev Mahadev), the abode of Malikarjun is regarded as the capital of deities. It is believed that Malikarjun and Bhagashri (Shiva and Parvati) reside at the Shikhar Dhaam, known as the Shivalinga.

There is a tradition for married women and young men who have taken the vow of celibacy to remain pure and chaste for 15 days before visiting the Shailya Shikhar Dhaam, which is considered the epitome of faith for Hindus. It is believed that visiting the Shikhar Dhaam destroys all sins, brings merit, fulfills wishes, and blesses the visitor with a good progeny.

Historical and Mythological Beliefs

The festival celebrated here dates back to ancient times. It is believed that the festival began with the development of human civilization. The festival is also considered a platform for meeting and gathering with relatives, in addition to religious worship.

It is said that Lord Shailya Malikarjun resided in the hut (dhuhu) while exploring the Himalayan and mountainous regions. According to the hymns praising Malikarjun, it is mentioned that while searching for a permanent abode, Lord Malikarjun arrived and settled at the Shri Shailya Shikhar mountain.

“We lack devotion, surrender, sacrifice, penance, and spiritual practice. At the Shikhar mountain where Maharaj Malikarjun resides, worship and darshan are performed according to the rituals on the days of Ashadh Shukla Chaturdashi and Kartik Shukla Trayodashi every year since ancient times. It is firmly believed that performing the special rituals and reaching the Shri Shailya Shikhar for worship and darshan removes obstacles, brings peace to the mind, eliminates poverty, brings respect and honor, and ultimately leads to salvation.”

After Lord Malikarjun left Ritha in search of his abode, Abhayraj Pandey stayed back in Ritha, searching for the divine light (Jyotirlinga) of Malikarjun. His other companions, Bhimraj Bhatt, Nimnath Yogi, Surdas Oji, and Dhiradhara Pahalwan, wandered through various places in search of their Lord’s Jyotirlinga. However, when they could not find it anywhere, they became distressed with devotion and sorrow. In this state of immersion in the devotion of their Lord Malikarjun, Abhayraj Pandey had a vision of Maharaj Malikarjun at night, who told him that he had settled at the Shailya Shikhar mountain.

In the dream, the Lord said to Abhayraj Pandey, “Do not worry. The king of Didekot started performing animal sacrifices daily, polluting the environment and me. His fort is at a height, while I was in the depth in Ritha. Therefore, I have found a suitable and elevated place at the Shikhar mountain to reside permanently. You cannot come here alone. I will send a tiger to your house, and it will have a dagger in its right leg. Do not be afraid; remove the dagger from the tiger’s leg, and it will go its way.

Then, you follow the tiger, and it will lead you to me.” Afterward, Abhayraj Pandey’s sleep broke, and when he looked out, it was daylight. Just as in the dream, he saw a tiger with a dagger in its leg, standing in front of him.

Upon seeing the tiger, Abhayraj Pandey removed the dagger from its leg. The tiger then went straight on its path, and Abhayraj Pandey followed it. The tiger led him to the rock of the Shikhar mountain. There, Abhayraj Pandey found the actual Shivalinga. With tears of joy, he expressed his devotion to the Lord. At that moment, Abhayraj Pandey heard a voice. Maharaj Malikarjun said to Abhayraj, “O devotee, my permanent abode will be here from now on. You can come here and worship and have my darshan.” The voice then instructed him to ask other devotees to come as well, and it fell silent.

After returning from the Shikhar, Abhayraj Pandey sent word to the other devotees who had gone in search of Lord Malikarjun’s Jyotirlinga—Bhimraj Bhatt, Nimnath Yogi, Surdas Oji, and Dhiradhara—informing them that the Shivalinga was present at the Shikhar mountain, and they should perform worship there. Indeed, within the rock of the Shikhar mountain, there is an invisible cave containing such a great and non-dual power that we lack sufficient words to describe it.

Touristic Importance

The Malikarjun Temple, located at the foothills of Shailya Shikhar, is emerging as a destination for religious tourists. Malikarjun is becoming a popular destination for religious tourists due to the belief that wishes are fulfilled after visiting.

Map to malikarjun temple