Tapkeshwar Mahadev is the cave temple on the bank of the Tons river in Garhi Cantt, about 6.5 km from Dehradun railway station. Water drips from the rock onto the shivling inside the cave, and that's where the name comes from: "tapak" means a drop of water.
The legend
The cave is called Drona Cave, after Dronacharya, the teacher of the Pandavas and Kauravas in the Mahabharata, who is believed to have lived and meditated here. The story people tell is about his son Ashwatthama. Drona was too poor to buy a cow, and there was no milk for the baby. Ashwatthama prayed to Shiva, and milk began to drip from the cave roof onto the shivling. Today it's water that drips, and devotees see the same story in it.
What you'll see
The main shivling is inside the natural cave, under the temple. The temple has two shivlings, both believed to be swayambhu (self-formed). Water from the cave roof drips onto the linga, flows away underground and comes out as a stream near the temple. There are cool sulphur springs nearby, and many pilgrims bathe in them before going in for darshan.
Shoes come off before darshan, so wear sandals you can slip off easily.
Timings
The temple is open roughly 6 am to 7 pm every day, according to Wikipedia. Other listings give a midday break, so if you're coming from far, go in the morning. During Shravan the temple stays open day and night.
Mahashivratri mela at Tapkeshwar
Mahashivratri is the biggest day of the year here. A mela runs for more than a week around the festival, the temple is decorated with lights and flowers, and the temple trust serves mahaprasad (a free meal) to devotees. Thousands come for darshan and for the ceremony of Shiva and Parvati's wedding.
In 2027, Mahashivratri falls on Saturday, 6 March. Expect long queues that day and the night before. If you want darshan without the crowd, go a few days earlier or after, on a weekday morning.
A local theatre group, Hamari Pehchan, also begins its yearly Holi performance at the temple.
How to get to Tapkeshwar Temple
The temple is in Garhi Cantt, on the western side of the city. An auto or cab from the Clock Tower or the railway station is the easiest way.
Nearby
Krazy For Coffee opposite the RIMC gate and two small momo places near the Garhi Cantt chowk are a short ride away if you want to eat after darshan. The Forest Research Institute is also on this side of the city, so the two can go together in one morning.
Frequently asked questions
What are Tapkeshwar Temple's timings?
Roughly 6 am to 7 pm daily. During Shravan it stays open day and night.
When is the Tapkeshwar mela in 2027?
Around Mahashivratri, which is on Saturday, 6 March 2027. The mela runs for more than a week.
Why is it called Tapkeshwar?
"Tapak" means a drop of water in Hindi. Water drips from the cave roof onto the shivling.
How far is Tapkeshwar Temple from Dehradun railway station?
About 6.5 km.
Find more on Doon Dekho
Tapkeshwar Temple has its own page on Doon Dekho with directions. Browse Explore → Places to Visit → Temples & monasteries, or read our guide to temples in Dehradun.