The union of the five elements fire, air, earth, water and sky at one place involved in the creation of the living being. The eternally burning flame and water of Manasarovar. All these are making us feel the presence of that supernatural power, by which the entire universe is operating. This supernatural power is both formless and corporeal for the devotees. This power is the guardian of all living beings, aquatic and aerial, starting from humans. This is the reason why devotees worship him as ‘Pashupati Nath’. We are talking about Shri Pashupati Nath Jagmohaneshwar Nath Temple located on Pilibhit Bypass Road in Bareilly, which is built in this ‘Nath city’ inspired by Pashupati Nath Temple located in Kathmandu, Nepal. Built in the year 2001, this temple is included in the seven Nath temples of Bareilly.
This temple has been built by 70 year old Jagmohan Singh, a Shiva devotee, who was once a big builder of the city. He tells that Lord Shiva had appeared to him in the form of ‘Jatashankar’ in his dream. During this time he also had a talk with him and he taught him the entire process of Rudrabhishek. From then till today, Rudrabhishek is being performed continuously at this temple. Narmadeshwar Shivalinga is installed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple and 108 Shivalingas are installed outside. In the south is Kalabhairava, in the north is Mount Kailash. The lake built here has been named Manasarovar. 1101 Narmadeshwar Shivalingas are installed on Mount Kailash and the idols of Mother Gauri, Lord Shankar and their sons Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya are installed on its peak. Shani Shila has been established in the east direction. Here the Yagyashala has been constructed with complete rituals, which includes the Padma Yagyakund. There is also an idol of Lord Lakshmi Narayan along with Shiva family. All the work was done under the direction of Jagat Guru Shankaracharya Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati of Badrinath Math. – Ramesh Chandra, senior journalist
People of Muslim community protect the temple
There are entryways built around the temple on the temple land itself. More than fifty percent of the population around the route belongs to the Muslim community, who are always ready to protect the temple. Latif, who started the construction of the temple, is currently in the role of caretaker of the temple. His sons also remain engaged in temple service. There are two employees deployed to prepare food in the temple, one from a traditional priest family and the other from a Jatav family.
Inspiration for temple construction came from military officer’s push
Jagmohan Singh got inspiration for the construction of this temple from the Pashupati Nath Temple of Kathmandu at a time when during the military rule, the entire arrangement of the temple there was in the hands of the military administration. Jagmehan, who had come to perform Rudrabhishek, was pushed by an army officer. During this he had fallen on the ground. However, he was not injured. That military officer later apologized to him and asked him to perform Rudrabhishek, but Jagmohan took a pledge and said that he will return to Bareilly with Bhole Nath and will build Pashupati Nath temple here on the lines of Kathmandu.
The construction of the temple was started with five hundred rupees.
This temple was started with five hundred rupees. Shiv worshiper Jagmohan had given this amount to two laborers working in his builder company, Latif Ansari and Nabi Jaan, and had asked them to bring rebar, cement and gravel with this amount. ‘Beam’ was prepared from this. The workers had advised him that at his request, crores of rupees could have been received for the construction of the temple, but he had refused to take anyone’s help. After some time, he got several crores of rupees stuck in his company’s business, and with that money the entire temple was built.
Rudrabhishek of 11 days is done on Shivratri.
Every year, 11 days long Rudrabhishek, Rudra Mahayagya, Pitambara Mahayagya, Ashtalakshmi Mahayagya are held at this temple. Devotees from Bareilly as well as nearby districts also come here. Bhandara is arranged on the second day. The annual festival of the temple is also celebrated on this day. There is also a proposal to build an ashram here, for this a letter has been written to the Chief Minister on behalf of the Minister of State for Forest and Environment, Independent Charge, Dr. Arun Kumar Saxena.