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Bineshwar Mahadev temple chardhamtour.in/blog
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In this place the presiding deity is God Shiva who is worshiped as Bineshwar. The Shiv Lingam was consecrated during the Chand dynasty - Raja Kalyan Chand is said to be builder(?). Binsar is known for its majestic views of Himalayan peaks such as Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, Trishul and Chaukhamba along with being home to a wide variety of flora and fauna at the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary.
This temple is in the middle of densely wooded areas with lots of deodar and rhododendron. The original temple structure had great archaeological significance, but it was pulled down by the authority to build a new structure. The central chamber of the temple forms the sanctum/garbagriha where there are images of gods such Ganesha, Shiva-Parvati and Mahishasuramardini. The interesting feature is the presence of God Shiva and Parvati in the same chamber. A fair is organized there on Vaikuntha Chaturdashi every year.
It is said this temple was built by Maharajah Prithu in memory of his father, Bindu in the 9th/10th century. The exact origin of this temple is not clear. The design style is that of the Katyuri. Though there are no records, it is believed that it was a contemporary of the Jageshwar and Adi Badri group of temples. Close to this temple in this area are found many rock-cut idols, shrines, and Shiva Lingams. The historians and researchers have yet to come up with the correct history of this old temple. The temple was built by the Pandavas in one night while in exile, according to one legend. The other legend says that the temple was built by a king named Bindu. Yet others believe that it may have been built by lord Vishwakarma himself and not by others.
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Way back in the past there existed a narrow circular water body, a sort of well/ reservoir in the central room forming the main shrine. Many idols were kept around it. A snake was said to dwell inside the reservoir. Presently, the well like structure is covered with flat stones. Later, water seeped out of the rocks, suggesting the existence of a reservoir underneath. It is highly a mountainous terrain with many ridges and water springs.The elevation is roughly 2480 m/8136 feet. It is likely that the temple was built on a rock formation in a terrain that is conducive to the formation of natural water springs. The main shrine of this temple, it is obvious, is on a rock formation that houses the natural spring.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binsar_Devta
https://www.chardhamtour.in/blog/temples-in-uttarakhand/
https://www.unboundstays.com/binsar-almora-travel-guide
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