Haridwar Kumbh 2027 · Ghats

Bilkeshwar Mahadev Temple, Haridwar

KumbhMela.info Editorial TeamChecked on Fri 16 Oct 2026

Bilkeshwar (Bilvakeshwar) Mahadev is an old Shiva temple a short distance west of Har Ki Pauri, linked by tradition with Parvati's penance for Shiva. Gauri Kund, the sacred water that tradition ties to the same story, is a few steps from the temple.

EvergreenChecked on Fri 16 Oct 2026

The temple and its traditions do not change from year to year. No government page for the temple was found; the details here come from Aaj Tak (2014) and Amar Ujala (2026). Opening hours are not confirmed, and arrangements for the 2027 Kumbh are not announced.

Official sources say almost nothing about this temple. This page keeps to what national news reports describe, and gives the stories as tradition.

Bilkeshwar Mahadev at a glance

Question	Answer
Where	A short distance from Har Ki Pauri, to the west of Haridwar, according to a 2014 Aaj Tak report. Official sources give no location details.
Other spellings	Bilvakeshwar, Bilwakeshwar; in Hindi बिल्वकेश्वर महादेव
Deity	Shiva, worshipped as a linga beneath Sheshnag
Tradition	Where Parvati did penance for Shiva on Bilva Parvat
Gauri Kund	About 50 steps from the temple, according to Aaj Tak
Busiest times	Sawan (Shravan, July to August)
Opening hours	Not confirmed by an official source; check locally
Kumbh 2027 note	The Haridwar Kumbh runs from Thursday 14 January to Tuesday 20 April 2027 (Provisional). Its first bathing day, Makar Sankranti, has a tradition at Gauri Kund.
2027 arrangements	Not announced

The story of Parvati's penance

According to the tradition Aaj Tak reported in 2014, Parvati came to Bilva Parvat, a hill covered with bel (bilva) trees, to do hard penance to win Shiva. She is said to have eaten bel leaves to still her hunger. When she needed water, Brahma is said to have brought forth a stream of Ganga water from his kamandal, his water pot. That water is known today as Gauri Kund, about 50 steps from the temple.

Here Shiva is worshipped as Bilvakeshwar Mahadev, a linga beneath Sheshnag, the serpent.

The report places the story on Bilva Parvat. Uttarakhand Tourism gives the same name, Bilwa Parvat, to the hill of the Mansa Devi Temple.

Worship at the temple

Devotees offer bel leaves and flowers and perform a panchamrit abhishek, Aaj Tak reported.

Sawan is the temple’s busiest month. Aaj Tak described devotees coming throughout the month, and on the last Sawan Monday of 2026, 24 August, Amar Ujala reported devotees lined up from the morning to offer water and milk to the linga. Sawan falls in July and August, outside the Kumbh season.

Getting there from Har Ki Pauri

Aaj Tak describes the temple as a short distance from Har Ki Pauri, towards the west of Haridwar. We found no official route or distance, so ask locally or use a map before you set out.

No official source describes Gauri Kund or whether people bathe there. Ask at the temple. For the Kumbh bathing ghats, see the Haridwar ghats guide.

Bilkeshwar Mahadev and the Kumbh

Nothing about the temple has been announced for 2027. Two Kumbh days have a link with it.

Makar Sankranti, Thursday 14 January 2027, is the first bathing day of the Haridwar Kumbh (Provisional). Aaj Tak reported that a bath at Gauri Kund is held to be especially important on Makar Sankranti. See the Makar Sankranti guide.
Mahashivratri, Saturday 6 March 2027, is Shiva’s great night and also the first Amrit Snan of the Kumbh (Provisional). See the 6 March guide.
The Haridwar Kumbh runs from 14 January to 20 April 2027, with eleven bathing days listed on the official website; all are on the dates page. Amrit Snan days usually draw the most pilgrims to Haridwar; follow police and mela instructions on the day.

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Questions people ask

Where is Bilkeshwar Mahadev in Haridwar?

A short distance from Har Ki Pauri, towards the west of Haridwar, according to a 2014 Aaj Tak report. No official source gives a distance, so ask locally.

What is the story of Bilkeshwar Mahadev?

According to tradition, Parvati did penance for Shiva here on Bilva Parvat, living on bel leaves. Shiva is worshipped at the temple as Bilvakeshwar Mahadev.

What is Gauri Kund at Bilkeshwar?

A sacred water about 50 steps from the temple. According to tradition, Brahma brought forth this stream of Ganga water from his kamandal for Parvati during her penance.