The short answer
Lakhamandal Temple: what visitors should know first
A good half-day stop on the way to or from Chakrata, especially if you like old temples more than viewpoints. The grounds are small and level, with a short walk from the road. Dress modestly and check the visiting hours locally.
History and context
The story behind Lakhamandal Temple
ASI notes that the stone temple in Nagara style was built between the 12th and 13th centuries CE and is popularly called Lakeswara. Inscriptions show the site is older: a eulogy of Princess Isvasra, from around the 5th–6th centuries CE, records a Shiva temple built for her late husband, Chandragupta, and brick remains from about the 5th century lie beneath the stone temple.
The site was notified for protection in 1909, according to the ASI Dehradun Circle's listing.
Useful facts
Lakhamandal Temple facts at a glance
- Location
- Lakhamandal village, on the Yamuna, Dehradun district
- Faith
- Hindu (Shaiva)
- Dedication
- Shiva, popularly Lakeswara
- Built
- Stone temple 12th–13th century CE; earlier remains 5th–6th century
- Visitor note
- Modest dress; check timings; ASI-protected site
Why it matters
Why Lakhamandal Temple is worth your time
Lakhamandal matters because it shows that this part of the Yamuna valley was a place of worship long before the modern road. An inscription records a princess named Ishvara building a Shiva temple here in the 5th–6th centuries CE, and later builders added the stone temple that visitors see today. ASI protection recognises that layered history.
It also ties the Jaunsar hills to wider Indian traditions: local legend links the site to the Pandavas' escape from the house of lac, a story from the Mahabharata that appears at several places in this region.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The graphite lingam
A dark lingam that shines when wet and is a focus of local devotion.
- 02
Scattered older remains
Carved stones, shrines and excavated foundations around the main temple tell of earlier phases of worship.
- 03
Guardian figures
Two figures near the shrine, Danav and Manav, are linked locally to the Pandava story.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Plan Lakhamandal as a stop, not a destination. The drive from Chakrata runs down towards the Yamuna valley, and quoted distances vary from about 12 to 35 km depending on the route, so allow time and ask locally for the current road. The temple stands in the village beside the river.
Walk first round the older remains, where carved stones, fragments and small shrines lie around the main temple. Archaeological clearance has revealed flat-roofed temples and brick foundations beneath the stone structure. Then go into the main shrine, where the lingam is made of graphite and is said to shine when wet. Local people often pour water over it, so you may see it glisten.
Near the main shrine, two guardian figures are called Danav and Manav, and a cave called Dhundhi Odaari is said to have sheltered the Pandavas. Treat these as local stories, not proven history, and ask a local guide for the stories they know. If you can, stay for the evening aarti, when the compound becomes busier and more atmospheric.
Plan with confidence
Visit as a guest, not a spectator.
- Dress modestly and remove shoes at the shrine
- Ask before photographing inside the temple
- Check the road and timings in Chakrata before you set out
- Carry water; shade and shops are limited
- Visit in the morning or at evening aarti for the best atmosphere
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- On the Yamuna, Jaunsar-Bawar, on the Mussoorie–Yamunotri road; roughly 35 km from Chakrata (sources differ)
- Time needed
- 45–90 minutes
- Best time
- October to March, in the morning, or at evening aarti
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The complex is small and largely level, with short walks on uneven stone. Steps and old stonework can be slippery when wet. Few places to sit in the shade, and the road journey from Chakrata is the longer effort.
- Tickets and access
- Dress modestly, remove shoes before entering the shrine and ask before photographing inside. Entry rules and timings are not fixed in sources we could confirm, so check locally.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Lakhamandal Temple
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The complex is small and largely level, with short walks on uneven stone. Steps and old stonework can be slippery when wet. Few places to sit in the shade, and the road journey from Chakrata is the longer effort.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How old is Lakhamandal?
The stone temple dates to the 12th–13th centuries CE, but inscriptions and brick remains show the site was used from about the 5th–6th centuries.
Is Lakhamandal worth visiting?
Yes for temple and history lovers; it is small, so combine it with Chakrata or a Yamuna valley drive.
What is special about the lingam?
It is made of graphite and is said to shine when wet, which is why water is often poured over it.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.