Baijnath Temple: The Lord of Physicians

Like a jewel expertly set against the magnificent backdrop of the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas, the medieval temple of Baijnath is truly a place of sanctity and serenity. Perched on a grassy knoll and situated just off the otherwise unremarkable main street of the town of Baijnath, it is one of Himachal Pradesh’s significant shrines and pilgrim centres.

The Baijnath temple derives its name from ‘Baijnath’ as the Vaidyanath version of Lord Shiva is worshipped here. Vaidyanath is Shiva’s avatar as the ‘Lord of Physicians’ (‘vaid’ means ‘physician’) and devotees with all manner of ailments pray at this temple in search of a cure.