Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple
Legship, Gyalshing (West Sikkim) district, on the Rangeet river · Lord Shiva as Kirateshwar (Lord of the Kiratas), a self-manifested linga
Sikkim's oldest-revered Shiva shrine, where Shiva met Arjuna as a hunter.
Kirateshwar Mahadev at Legship, on the bank of the Rangeet river in West Sikkim, is regarded as one of the holiest and oldest Shiva temples in Sikkim. Its linga is believed to be self-formed, and the site is linked with the Mahabharata story of Shiva appearing to Arjuna as a Kirata hunter. The Kirati people call it Kirateshwar Mahadev Thaan.
Timings
- Temple open: approx. 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM (travel guide; check locally)
Darshan types and costs
- General darshan – Free
Sevas and costs
- Rudrabhishek / archana – Check locally (Temple hours)
How to book darshan
No booking needed. Indian citizens need no permit for Legship; foreign nationals need Sikkim's Restricted Area Permit.
Dress code
No published dress code; modest clothing. Remove footwear before the shrine.
Best time to visit
October to May. Bala Chaturdashi (Nov–Dec) and Maha Shivaratri (Feb/Mar) for festivals. Avoid the monsoon (June–September) when landslides and floods are common.
How to reach
- air: Pakyong (Sikkim) airport or Bagdogra (West Bengal); Bagdogra has far more flights.
- rail: New Jalpaiguri (NJP), about 4–5 hours by road.
- road: Legship is a road junction on the Rangeet linking Jorethang, Ravangla, Gyalshing, Pelling and Tashiding. Shared jeeps run from Jorethang and Gyalshing. From Siliguri, the usual route is via Melli and Jorethang.
Festivals
- Bala Chaturdashi – Nov–Dec
- Maha Shivaratri – Feb/Mar