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{{Short description|Hindu temple in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Mahakal temple
| image = Temple, Observatory Hill, Darjeeling.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| map_type =
| map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|27.04774|88.26793|format=dms|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| native_name = महाकाल मन्दिर
| country = {{flag|India}}
| state = [[West Bengal]]
| district = [[Darjeeling district]]
| location = [[Darjeeling]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = [[Mahakala]]
| festivals = All major Hindu and Buddhist festivals
| architecture = Temple
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| established = 1782
| creator = Lama Dorjey Rinzing
| website =
}}
{{Hinduism small}}
[[File:Ne-Mahakal.oga|thumb|]]
The '''Mahakal temple''' or '''Mahakal mandir''' ([[Devanagari]]: महाकाल मन्दिर; {{Literal translation|The master of [[Kaal]] [time]}}) is a sacred [[Hindu temple]] located in [[Darjeeling]], [[West Bengal]], India, dedicated to the Hindu god [[Shiva]], the third god in the [[Hindu trinity|Hindu triumvirate]]. The temple was built in 1782 by Lama Dorjey Rinzing and is perched atop the [[Observatory Hill, Darjeeling|Observatory Hill]] and is an amalgamation of Hindu and Buddhist religions. It is a religious site where both religions coexist harmoniously.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/67546/mahakal-mandir-darjeeling|title=The Mahakal Mandir in Darjeeling - Outlook Traveller|website=www.outlookindia.com|language=en|access-date=2018-08-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.darjeeling-tourism.com/darj_000014.htm|title=Darjeeling Observatory Hill & Mahakal Temple|last=win7|website=www.darjeeling-tourism.com|access-date=2018-08-15}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.darjeelingonline.in/city-guide/mahakal-temple|title=Mahakal Temple Darjeeling, Mahakal Mandir in Darjeeling|website=www.darjeelingonline.in|access-date=2018-08-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.makemytrip.com/travel-guide/darjeeling/mahakal-temple-religious.html|title=Mahakal Temple in Darjeeling India - Attractions in Darjeeling MakeMyTrip.com|website=www.makemytrip.com|access-date=2018-08-15|archive-date=15 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815090945/https://www.makemytrip.com/travel-guide/darjeeling/mahakal-temple-religious.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==History==
Mahakal temple stands as a historical edifice on the spot where a [[Vihara|Buddhist Monastery]] named 'Dorje-Ling' once stood, which was built by Lama Dorjey Rinzing in 1765. Prior to that it is believed that the spot was a sacred spot of the aboriginal Lepcha folks. Later a monastery was constructed on the spot and worshipped by both [[Lepcha people|Lepcha]]s and [[Bhutia]]s.

It was after the invasion of the Gurkha Army around 1788 that the monastery was desecrated and destroyed by the invading troops and in course of time the sacred place overwhelmingly began to represent the Hindu symbolisms of the majority Nepali community. Legend has it that three [[Lingam|Shiva-Lingas]] representing [[Brahma]], [[Vishnu]] and [[Shiva|Maheshwar (Shiva)]] manifested themselves at the site in 1782. The monastery itself was plundered and destroyed in 1815 during the [[Anglo-Nepalese War|Gorkha invasion]] after which it was shifted to [[Bhutia Busty]] about a mile away and was called the [[Bhutia Busty Monastery]]. The temple is a much revered and visited religious shrine of the area.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://detechter.com/this-shiva-temple-in-darjeeling-connects-both-hindus-and-buddhists/|title=Mahakal Mandir in Darjeeling connects both Hindus and Buddhists|date=2018-06-05|work=Detechter|access-date=2018-08-15|language=en-US}}</ref>

Legend has it that the name Darjeeling was derived from the name of the monastery 'Dorje-Ling' itself.

== Temple complex ==
The main Mahakal temple is devoted to Shiva and it witness devotees from all sections of society and religions most visiting the temple for both leisure or pilgrimage. Bells and hundreds of colorful prayer flags line the up-hill walk and the shrine.

The three gold plated [[Lingam]]s inside the main temple represent Hindu Gods [[Brahma]], [[Vishnu|Bishnu]] and [[Shiva|Maheswar]]. There are idols of [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] alongside the Lingams where both a Hindu priest and a Buddhist monk perform religious rituals and offer prayers simultaneously.

Within the temple complex is a white '[[Stupa|chorten]]' (Tibetan memorial shrine) where lies the relics of Dorjey Rinzing Lama the original builder of the site. Dotted around are many other smaller shrines and temples dedicated to [[Kali|Goddess Kali]], [[Durga|Goddess Durga]], Saat Kanya Bhagavati Devi, [[Ganesha]], [[Krishna]], [[Rama]], [[Sai Baba of Shirdi|Shirdi Sai Baba]], [[Hanuman]], [[Parvati|Goddess Parvati]], [[Radha]] and other Gods and Goddesses.

=== Location ===
[[File:31a Darjeeling Tempeleingang.JPG|alt=Entrance to the Mahakal temple complex|thumb|255x255px|Entrance to the Mahakal temple complex]]
Mahakal temple is located behind the [[Chowrasta (Darjeeling)|Chowrasta]] and encircled by the Mall Road on the ridge of Darjeeling town. The approach is an uphill narrow road about 100 yards from the Mall and is accessible by foot only.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://darjeelingadventuretourism.com/mahakal-temple|title=Mahakal Temple Darjeeling, Places to visit in Darjeeling, Observatory Hill (Mahakal Mandir) Darjeeling|last=Tourism|first=Darjeeling Adventure|website=darjeelingadventuretourism.com|language=en|access-date=2018-08-15}}</ref>
[[File:Darjeeling India.jpg|alt=A Buddhist monk next to the entrance to the Mahakal temple complex. Nandi the sacred bull(Shiva's vehicle on the bottom right)|thumb|382x382px|A Buddhist monk next to the entrance to the Mahakal temple complex. Nandi the sacred bull (Shiva's vehicle on the bottom right). Colorful prayer flags behind the monk.]]

== Geographic significance ==
The Observatory Hill itself is rich in flora and fauna unique to the [[Himalayas|Himalayan range]] of mountains and the full range of third highest peak in the world mount [[Kangchenjunga|Kanchenjunga]] can be witnessed from atop the temple complex.<ref name=":0" />

== See also ==
* [[Chowrasta (Darjeeling)|Chowrasta Darjeeling]]
* [[Observatory Hill, Darjeeling]]
* [[Bhutia Busty Monastery]]
* [[Dhirdham Temple]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Hindu temples in West Bengal}}
{{Shaivism}}
{{Shiva temples}}
{{Hindu deities and texts}}
{{Darjeeling}}

[[Category:Shiva temples in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Places in Hindu worship]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Darjeeling]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Darjeeling district]]

Mahakal temple - Revision history

Nandini Gowda KL: Created location