Kirateshwar Mahadev Mandir

Brightly scarlet colored big statue of Veer Balwaan Bajrang Bali lifting Dronachal Parvat in hand is located at the entrance of Kirateshwar Mahadev Mandir; Legship town under West Sikkim district in the Indian state of Sikkim. The temple is located at a distance of 5 kms from Pelling connected with Geyzing (also known as Gyalshing, headquarters of West Sikkim district) alongside Pemayangtse and 89 kms from the state capital city Gangtok. Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is situated on the banks of beautiful River Rangit (or Rangeet), which has many mythological episodes of the Mahabharat attached to it. A foot suspension bridge takes the devotees from the main road to the temple. The temple is also known as Kirateshwar Mahadev Thaan or simply known as Shiv Mandir by the local people.

According to the Hindu mythology, pleased with Arjun’s (3rd of the Pandava brothers) hard penance and devotion, Lord Shiva appeared before him, in the very spot where the temple lies, as a Kirat or Hunter and blessed him with success in the Mahabharat war. Kirat means hunter hence the temple named Kirateshwar meaning the Hunter God. Long time ago as the people found miraculously existed a stone manifesting Shiva Ling in another words Lord here is self-manifested or Swayambhu. The said Shiv Ling is the main effigy of worship. Belief of many that a mere visit with true devotion to this temple fulfills one’s wishes particularly a wish for son or daughter and also wishes for peace harmony and good health. According to another popular belief, whosoever worships here will earn virtues of two life times.

There is a guest house within the premises of the Kirateshwar temple and it can accommodate more than 500 people.

The main attractions of temple are the festival of Bala Chaturdesi, which is observed in November–December every year and the Shiv Ratri also known as Maha Shivaratri which falls in the month of February or March every year. There are other temples dedicated to Bhagwan Shri Ram and Durga Mata can be found here making it an important pilgrimage destination for Hindus. People from all over the state visit this holy place of eminence.

Other tourist attractions in Legship :-

(1) Lho Khando Sang Pho Cave

(2) Rangit Water World

(3) Rangit River Dam

(4) Sulphurous Hot Springs