Gola Gokarnath, situated in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh, is not just a town, but a pilgrimage of eternal faith, where one remembers Shiva in every breath and experiences his presence in every particle. This holy place, known as ‘Chhoti Kashi’ for years, is now entering a new era. The construction of the Shiva Temple Corridor is not just an expansion of stones and buildings, but a divine effort to give a modern form to the age-old faith. Gola Gokarnath’s identity is not limited to its legendary Shiva temple. Many ancient centers of worship of Shiva in all four directions of the city still tell the indelible story of history and devotion. Temples like Kleshharnath located on Khutar Marg, Baba Tedhenath on Gomati bank in the south, Baba Bhootnath, Trilokgirinath and Baba Shivnath in the east make this land Shiva-like. As if the entire city was the divine circumambulation of Lord Bholenath.
The story described in the Puranas makes this land even more supernatural. It is said that inspired by the feeling of renunciation, Lord Shiva took the form of a deer and came to wander in this forest region. The natural beauty of this place attracted him so much that he stayed here. When Brahma, Vishnu and Indra arrived in search of them, they saw a huge deer resting. As soon as the gods approached, the deer started running away. As soon as he caught hold of his horn, it got divided into three parts. Lord Vishnu established the original part of the horn here, which is today worshiped as Gokarnath. The second part was taken by Brahma to Shrangaveshwar in Bihar and the third part was taken by Devraj Indra to Amravati. This is why Gokarnath Dham is considered a direct symbol of the divine presence of Shiva.
Another folk tale makes the glory of this Dham even more unique. Ravana, the king of Lanka, pleased with his penance, wanted to take Lord Shiva to Lanka. Shiva placed a condition that wherever he would be placed on the earth on the way, he would become stable. During the journey, Ravana had to stop for a short rest after reaching Gola Gokarnath. He handed over the Shivalinga to a shepherd, but after too much time the shepherd placed it on the ground. After returning, Ravana used his full force, but Shivlinga did not budge. Angered, he pressed it into the ground with his thumb. Even today devotees believe that Ravana’s thumb impression on the Shivalinga installed in the sanctum sanctorum is a witness to the same incident.
Another feature of this temple is that it gives the message of humility to the devotees. The Shivalinga located in the sanctum sanctorum is installed about nine feet below the ground level. Here devotees have to bow down for darshan, as if Mahadev himself is giving the message that the path to reach his door passes not through ego, but through humility. Gokarna Tirtha located near the temple is also a major center of faith for thousands of devotees.
Shiva temple corridor is becoming a scene of faith
Times are changing and with it the picture of Chhoti Kashi is also changing. After the announcement of the Chief Minister in the year 2022, the dream of a Shiv Temple Corridor on the lines of Kashi Vishwanath Dham started taking shape. The construction work, which started in December 2024, is progressing rapidly today. The huge entrance, ramp for the disabled, attractive park, circumambulation path, parking system and Shiva stories engraved on the grand walls are giving a new dimension of spiritual grandeur to this entire complex.
The most attractive center of the corridor is the grand statue of Shri Nandishwar Maharaj weighing 20 tonnes, whose consecration has added a new chapter to the divinity of this Dham. At the same time, the beautiful artworks of Lord Shiva family, Dashanan Ravana’s penance, Setubandha Rameshwaram, Saptarishi and Nataraja forms carved on the walls provide the devotees not only with a darshan but also with the glory of Indian culture. Gola Gokarnath today stands at that historical turning point, where mythological heritage and modern development are moving forward hand in hand. This corridor is not just a construction of bricks and stones, but an effort to further ignite the lamp of faith whose light has been illuminating this land for centuries. In the coming years, when devotees from India and abroad will reach this small Kashi, then they will see not just a temple, but a wonderful confluence of history, mythology, culture and modernity, where Shiva is there at every step, Shiva is there in every direction and Shiva is Shiva in every heart.
Special identity of Chhoti Kashi
Mythological importance: Gokarnath Dham is mentioned in Varaha Purana, Shiv Purana, Vaman Purana, Kurma Purana, Padma Purana and Skanda Purana.
Unique Shivalinga: The Shivalinga installed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is situated about nine feet below the ground level. Devotees bow down and have darshan of God.
Beliefs related to Ravana: According to folklore, Ravana’s thumb impression is still believed to be present on Shivalinga.
Shivamay Parikrama: Ancient Shiva temples like Kleshharnath, Tedhenath, Bhootnath, Trilok Girinath and Shivnath add to the religious dignity of this area.
New identity: The Shiv Temple Corridor being built on the lines of Kashi Vishwanath Dham is moving towards giving a new identity to Chhoti Kashi on the national religious tourism map.
