Daksha Prajapati Temple is also known as Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple. This temple is situated at a place called Kankhal in Haridwar city. This ancient historical temple has been dedicated in the name of Lord Shiva. This temple was established by Rani Dhankaur in the year 1810. Dakshaprajapati Temple is located at a distance of about four kilometers from the city of Haridwar.
It is believed that Kankhal is the in-laws of Lord Shiva. Goddess Sati was the daughter of Daksheshwar Maharaj of Ju. She was married to Lord Shiva. Daksheshwar Maharaj was a resident of Kankhal, so in this way, Kankhal became the in-laws of Lord Shiva. There is a mythological story of this temple which is very famous.
It is said that Bar Daksheshwar Maharaj had organized a yagya in his palace. He had invited all the gods and goddesses in that yagya, but he did not send the invitation to Lord Shankar. Due to this, Mata Sati, the wife of Shiva and daughter of Daksheshwar, was greatly hurt, and she committed Sati in the fire of the same yagya. Enraged by this, Lord Shiva took the form of Veerabhadra and severed the head of Daksheshwar Maharaj from his torso. After many vows, Lord Shiva pacified his anger and decided to give life to Daksheshwar Maharaj. Moreover, instead of the severed head of Daksheshwar Maharaj, he put the head of a goat. And then Shiva made a promise to Daksheshwar Maharaj that this temple would always be associated with his name.
There is a small pit in the temple premises, which is believed to be where Goddess Sati sacrificed her life. On entering the temple, Nandi Maharaj, the vehicle of Lord Shiva, is seated on the main planet of the temple. It is believed that by saying the desire of one’s mind in the ear of Nandi Maharaj, that wish reaches Shiva, and that wish gets fulfilled very soon. This temple is very famous among Shiva devotees. Devotees from far and wide come here to see Shiva.