Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple is a Hindu temple, also known as Mukesaran Temple. The temple is located near Pathankot City on Shahpur Kandi Dam Road in the Indian state of Punjab. It is a Shiva temple which is a popular temple of the man-made cave complex. The temple is situated on the banks of the Ravi River. So its beauty and conversation is incredible. The idols of Ganesha, Brahma, Vishnu, Hanuman and Mata Parvati are enshrined in this temple. Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple is considered to be one of the most sacred places around Pathankot. This temple is a cave temple and these caves are about 5500 years old, built by the Pandavas.
The temple is situated between Punjab and Jammu Kashmir. The other side of the Ravi river is in Jammu and Kashmir. The place where the temple is located falls in Punjab. The cave is led to the temple by steps. The natural beauty surrounding the temple is amazing.
According to legend, the Pandavas stayed in caves during their unknown exile (Agayatwas), and some caves are said to be of the time of the Mahabharata. The name of this temple also comes in those caves. The Pandavas established the Shivalinga and worshiped Lord Shiva in the caves they lived in during the Pandavas' unknown exile (Agayatwas).
There is a legend that Lord Shiva slaughtered a demon here and granted him mukti (liberation). The word Mukteshwar means 'The God of Refief 'or 'The God of salvation', thus it is a temple of salvation.
This place is also known as Chhota Haridwar. Those who cannot immerse the ashes of their families in Haridwar, flow it into the Ravi River at Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple.
To mark the Baisakhi festival, a fair, called Mukesran da Mela, is held every year in the month of April. Also, a big festival is organized every year on the day of Shivaratri, followed by two more celebrations, Chaitra Chodiya and Navratri. Somavati Amavasya is another big fair organized by the Temple Committee. Many pilgrims from all over Punjab and adjoining states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir come to worship here.