Baijnath Kangra

For clan see Baijnath

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (Retd.)

Baijnath (बैजनाथ) is a historical town in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Author (Laxman Burdak) visited the Baijnath temple on 15.5.1980. It has an ancient Shiva temple by the name - Baijnath Temple. It is interesting to note that a Shiva Temple is also found in Harsh (c.961-973 AD) near Sikar by the name Baijnath Temple (See Harsha Inscription). It is a matter of research to find inter-connection between these two far off temples of the same name.

Variants

Viadyanatha (वैद्यनाथ)
Kira Grama (कीर ग्राम)
Kiragrama (कीरग्राम)
Kirgrama (कीरग्राम)
Kirgram (कीरग्राम)

Location

It is about 50 kms from Dharamshala which is the district headquarters. Baijnath is located at 32.05°N 76.65°E. It has an average elevation of 1,314 metres. It is a small township in the Dhauladhar range of western Himalayas, 16 km from Palampur in the Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh. The town lies on the Pathankot-Mandi highway (National Highway No. 154) almost midway between Kangra and Mandi. The town is located on the left bank of the river Binwa, a corrupt form of ancient Binduka, a tributary of river Beas. Neighbouring towns are Palampur Kangra and Joginder Nagar in Mandi district.

Origin of name

It was Originally known as Kiragrama. ^[1] The very famous ancient temple of Lord Shiva (Baijnath) is situated here which is believed to be one of twelve jyotirlingas according to popular legends also giving the town its name . The present name Baijnath became popular after the name of the temple.

Jat clans

Following Jat clans have similarity with places shown in bold in this tahsil/block. There is need to further research this correlation.

Villages in Baijnath tahsil

1 Amarpur, 2 Aweri, 3 Babal, 4 Badod, 5 Bag, 6 Bagri, 7 Bahal, 8 Bahal, 9 Bahi Khas, 10 Bahl, 11 Baijnath, 12 Bakar, 13 Ban Bhulana, 14 Bandian, 15 Barahan, 16 Baraun, 17 Bari, 18 Barkut, 19 Barwalkar, 20 Behot, 21 Bharag, 22 Bharehr, 23 Bhattu Buhla, 24 Bhattu Uparla, 25 Bheth Jhikli, 26 Bheth Upperli, 27 Bhirdi, 28 Bhunkher, 29 Bhunkher, 30 Biling, 31 Bir Khas, 32 Bolu, 33 Chadhiar Khas, 34 Chakol, 35 Chakol Behru, 36 Chalohi, 37 Chambe Da Behru, 38 Changna, 39 Chaniara, 40 Chatar Gahr, 41 Chaubin, 42 Chauhat, 43 Chhahbah, 44 Chhamb, 45 Chogan, 46 Chogan Thati, 47 Chordu, 48 Danin, 49 Darug, 50 Deol Khas, 51 Dhandera, 52 Dhandol, 53 Dhang, 54 Dhar Bagi, 55 Dharehr, 56 Dhargerh, 57 Dharjot, 58 Doli Kalan, 59 Doli Khurd, 60 Dug Khas, 61 Duhk, 62 Duhki, 63 Duhki, 64 Gan Khetar, 65 Gandhi Gram Buhla, 66 Gandhi Gram Uparla, 67 Gangoh, 68 Ganoh, 69 Gawal, 70 Ghalot, 71 Ghanghol, 72 Gharnot, 73 Ghartholi, 74 Ghornala, 75 Ghorpith, 76 Ghumarra, 77 Gujrehra, 78 Gunehr, 79 Har, 80 Harbahi, 81 Hardi, 82 Hareher, 83 Hari, 84 Harsakri, 85 Hartara, 86 Jalgaran, 87 Jamrela, 88 Jandpur, 89 Janehar, 90 Jans Pnera, 91 Jehru, 92 Jherkar, 93 Jhikla Behru, 94 Kaliana, 95 Kand Kosri, 96 Kandral, 97 Kanjrar , 98 Karnathu, 99 Karot, 100 Kasba, 101 Kasba Paprola, 102 Kathairu , 103 Keori, 104 Khaila, 105 Khalianu, 106 Kharanal, 107 Khatrehr, 108 Kholi, 109 Khopa, 110 Khudli, 111 Khuh, 112 Kothar Thati, 113 Kothi, 114 Kothi, 115 Kotli, 116 Kudal Buhli, 117 Kudal Upperli, 118 Kukaina, 119 Kunsal Buhli, 120 Kunsal Upperli, 121 Kurang, 122 Labol, 123 Langhu, 124 Lolani, 125 Lot, 126 Madho Nagar, 127 Mahankal, 128 Mahlpat, 129 Mahlpat Katocha, 130 Majher, 131 Majheran Khas, 132 Majheran Uparla, 133 Majhoti, 134 Malehr, 135 Malghota, 136 Mandehr Kalan, 137 Mandehr Khurd, 138 Mandhol, 139 Mandreta, 140 Matial Kalan, 141 Matial Khurd, 142 Matruh, 143 Mehla, 144 Moon, 145 Nagan, 146 Nagata, 147 Nagehr Buhli, 148 Nagehr Gabli, 149 Nagehr Uparli, 150 Nain, 151 Nanwar, 152 Narghor, 153 Nauhra, 154 Nauri Jhikli, 155 Nauri Uparli, 156 Non, 157 Palhoon, 158 Pandtehr, 159 Pandtehr, 160 Panjiala Buhla, 161 Panjiala Uparla, 162 Pansoa, 163 Paprola Khas, 164 Pasa Kot, 165 Pat, 166 Patahar, 167 Patel Nagar, 168 Phaleher, 169 Raj Nagar, 170 Rajal, 171 Rajindar Nagar, 172 Rajot Buhla, 173 Rajot Uparla, 174 Rakar Bheri, 175 Ropehr, 176 Sagoor Khas, 177 Sahel, 178 Sakri Khas, 179 Salehra, 180 Samletr, 181 Sansal Khas, 182 Sarajara, 183 Simbal, 184 Sitala Devi, 185 Sokhru, 186 Suhru-I, 187 Suhru-II , 188 Suja, 189 Sukaran, 190 Sunpur, 191 Tain, 192 Taras, 193 Tarehal, 194 Thara, 195 Thatwal Thati, 196 Thehar Buhli, 197 Thehar Upperli, 198 Tikri, 199 Umrali, 200 Ustehr,

Baijnath Temple

The main attraction of Baijnath is an ancient temple of Shiva. According to the legend, it is believed that during the Treta Yug, Ravana in order to have invincible powers worshiped Lord Shiva in the Kailash. In the same process, to please the almighty he offered his ten heads in the havan kund. Influenced by this extra ordinary deed of the Ravana, the Lord Shiva not only restored his heads but also bestowed him with powers of invincibility and immortality.

On attaining this incomparable boon, Ravana also requested Lord Shiva to accompany him to Lanka. Shiva consented to the request of Ravana and converted himself into Shivling. Then Lord Shiva asked him to carry the Shivling and warned him that he should not place the Shivling down on the ground on his way. Ravana started moving south towards Lanka and reached Baijnath where he felt the need to answer the nature’s call. On seeing a shepherd, Ravana handed over the Shivling to him and went away to get himself relieved. On finding the Shivling very heavy, the shepherd put the linga on the ground and thus the Shivling got established there and the same is in the form of Ardhnarishwar (God in form of Half Male & Half Female).

In the town of Baijnath, Dussehra festival in which traditionally the effigy of the Ravana is consigned to flames,celebrated all over the country is not celebrated as a mark of respect to the devotion of Ravana towards Lord Shiva. Another interesting thing about the town of Baijnath is that there are no shops of goldsmiths here .

Another version also suggests that while Ravana was descending from the Himalayas with the Shivling Lord Shiva had awarded him after years of worship which was supposed to be established at Lanka, now Sri Lanka, which would have blessed him (Ravana) with undefeatable powers even to the Gods which was not to be placed anywhere during the course of travel, even during resting, Ravana was tricked by one of the Devas (Gods), who posed as a beggar and wanted help from Ravana and promised to hold the Shivling for him while he (Ravana) could fetch some food for the beggar. The Deva posing as beggar placed the Shivling on ground, in absence of Ravana. The Shiva idol or the Shivling at Baijnath temple is the same Shivling which was placed by the Deva after tricking Ravana.

The Baijnath temple has been continuously under worship ever since its construction in 1204 A.D. The two long inscriptions in the porch of the temple indicate that a temple of Shiva existed on the spot even before the present one was constructed. The present temple is a beautiful example of the early medieval north Indian Temple architecture known as Nagara style of temples. The Svayambhu form of Sivalinga is enshrined in the sanctum of the temple that has five projections on each side and is surmounted with a tall curvilinear Shikhara. The entrance to sanctum is through a vestibule that has a large square "Mandapa" in front with two massive balconies one each in north and south. There is a small porch in front of the mandapa hall that rests on four pillars in the front preceded by an idol of "Nandi", the bull, in a small pillared shrine. The whole temple is enclosed by a high wall with entrances in the south and north. The outer walls of the temple have several niches with images of gods and goddesses. Numerous images are also fixed or carved in the walls. The outer doorway in the porch as also the inner doorway leading to the sanctum of the temple are also studded with a large number of images of great beauty and iconographic importance. Some of them are very rare to be found elsewhere.

The temple attracts a large number of tourists and pilgrims from all over India and abroad throughout the year. Special prayers are offered in the morning and evening every day besides on special occasions and during festive seasons. Makara Sankranti, Maha Shivaratri, Vaisakha Sankranti, Shravana Mondays, etc. are celebrated with great zeal and splendour. A five-day state level function is held here on Maha Shivratri every year.

History

Baijnath is famous for its 13th-century temple dedicated to Shiva as Vaidyanath, ‘the Lord of physicians’. The history of the ancient Baijnath Temple is hazy and the two long inscriptions fixed in the walls of the mandapa of the temple gives us account of the temple. The temple was built in Saka 1126 (CE 1204)by two brothers Manyuka and Ahuka in devolution to Lord Vaidyanatha. The inscriptions tell us that a Sivalinga known as Vaidyanatha already existed on the spot but was without a proper house so the present temple and a porch in its front was constructed.

The history of the temple itself is given in the two long inscriptions fixed in the walls of the mandapa of the temple. Accordingly we are told that Kiragrama (modern Baijnath) situated on the bank of the river Binduka was a part of Trigarta (the territory lying between the rivers Ravi and Satluj, roughly represented by districts of Kangra and Jalandhar) under the suzerainty of king Jayachandra, the overlord of Jalandhara. Under him a Rajanaka (local chief) Lakshmanachandra, who was matrimonially related to Jayachandra from his mother’s side, was ruling over Kiragrama. Genealogy of Lakshmanachandra is given in these inscriptions. ^[2]

At Kiragrama resided two brothers, Manyuka and Ahuka, sons of a merchant named Siddha. Their genealogy up to fourth generation is also mentioned in the inscriptions. They out of their devotion to Siva Vaidyanatha constructed the temple under discussion in Saka 1126 (CE 1204). They also donated a machine for extracting oil, a shop and some land in the village called Navagrama (modern Nauri near Baijnath) to the temple. The Rajanaka Lakshmanachandra and his mother also made some donations to the temple in the form of money and land respectively. ^[3]

The inscriptions tell us that a Sivalinga known as Vaidyanatha already existed on the spot but was without a proper house so the present temple and a porch in its front was constructed. It clearly indicates that a shrine already in existed on the spot before the construction of the present temple.

What happened to the shrine in the centuries that followed is not exactly known but it appears to have continued under worship, as there is clear evidence of repairs and renovations from time to time. In the 18 th century Sansara Chandra II, the Katoch king of Kangra, carried out extensive repairs and renovations of the temple. Alexander Cunningham noticed an inscription of 1786 in the temple referring to its renovations by Sansara Chandra. An inscription on the wooden doors of the sanctum of the temple provides the date as samvat 1840 (AD 1783) that is very near to Cunningham’s date. ^[4]

The devastating earthquake that shook the entire region of Kangra on 4 th April 1905 also caused damage to the shrine, which has been reported by J. Ph. Vogel and has since been repaired. At present the temple is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India but the performance of worship and rituals are under a local board at Baijnath with SDM as its chairman. The hereditary priests continue to get a share of the offerings. ^[5]

Binwa River

Only 13 kilometres away from Chauntra is the Binwa Valley in Kangra district. It is picture postcard come alive. A place called Ghatta, with only a police post on the highway, is the boundary between Mandi and Kangra district. Here you sit on the roadside in the shade of pine trees and enjoy the sprawl and swell of the valley. The levelled fields punctuated by the hill-houses and embraced by the rising hills on sides is a sight that is joy forever. Shelley’s words echoed my ears as I was drowned in the charm of the vale: “We look before and after/ And pine for what is not”.

Binwa is a tributary of the Beas and the name Binwa or Binoa was first used by Moorcraft and Cunningham and we have accepted it though it does not agree with the local pronunciation, which is Binnun. The District Gazetteers of Kangra (1924-25) reads: “The principal tributaries of the Beas during its course through Kangra proper descend from the lofty range which divides the district from Chamba. The first of these is the Binnun, which rises in the hills above Baijnath, a celebrated hill shrine.” According to Sharada Prashasti, the Binwa was earlier named as Binduka. The Prashasti reads: “Where that river called Binduka, leaping from the lap of the mountain,with sparkling wide waves resembling playing-balls merrily plays, like a bright maiden in the first bloom of youth.”

The modernity has accepted the river as the Binwa and the valley as the Binwa valley. The hydroelectric project on the river is also called Binwa Hydel Project and has installed capacity of 6mw. The engineering marvel of this project is that it has a 62 metre-long tunnel that connects trench weirs in Banu and Prahal khuds.

The Sharada Prashasti also discloses that Baijnath was earlier known as Kiragrama. It says: “There is in Trigarta the pleasant village of Kiragrama, the home of numerous virtues, where that river called Kandukabinduka (kanduk means a ball and kandukbinduka may be taken for ball-like jumping Binduka), leaping from the lap of the mountain, with glittering waves sportingly plays, thus resembling a bright maiden in the first bloom of youth (who jumping from the lap of the nurse gracefully sports). That (village) is protected by the strong-armed Rajanaka Lakshmana. “Rajanaka Lakshmana was none other than the 13th century Katoch king Lakshmanchandra.

Kiragram, now called Baijnath, earns its name from the temple dedicated to Sai Vaidynath (Lord of Physicians). It is said to have been built by two brothers, Manyuka and Ahuka, devout worshippers of Shiva (See photo). This temple uncharacteristically faces west and has two images of Nandi – one seated and the other standing. Enshrined in the sanctum are a stone linga and two stone sculptures of Ganesha and Vishnu-Lakshmi. This temple marked the initial phase of mature temple architecture in Himachal Pradesh. The surroundings of the temple have been developed into lawns and flowerbeds so that devotees rest here and enjoy the ambiance.

Source - Article 'Exciting Binwa Valley of Kangra' by Shriniwas Joshi in Dainik Tribune, Sunday, 27 March 2022

Nagavanshi History

Dr Naval Viyogi^[6] writes....Most probably Nagas moved from Kashmir valley and settled in different valleys of Himachal Pradesh. Still today these Nagas can be Seen in numerous temples and heard in legends throughout the modern province of Himachal Pradesh.

In the local language of this area of Himalayas, 'Kir' or 'Kiri' means serpent, and the people of above area are called 'Kirata', a word used for the people of internal part of Kashmir. in Rajtarangini. Hence Kirat is another form of kir^[7]. Varahamir also has cited this word Kir. Similarly, in the copper plate, published by Prof Kilborn, this word also occurs.^[8]

There is mention of the word Kirgrama the inscription of Baijnath temple of Kangra valley. This shows that Kirgram would have been local name of this place.^[9] In the local language, the meaning of 'Kirgram' is "The village of serpent or Naga race". Till today serpent is the most loving deity of Baijnath. Not only this, the venerable deity of people of surrounding area of Baijnath is also serpent. It means that in ancient time this town was inhabited by the Naga people. Kir is ssynonymous of Nag or serpent and it is aparent these Naga worshipping Kir people of Himalaya are near relatives of Dravidian Cher, Ker or Keral of South.

Archaeology of Baijnath temple

The antiquity of the temple and its continuous patronage and worship is attested by a number of inscriptions found within the temple complex. The most important are the two long inscriptions written in Sanskrit language and Sharada script engraved on stone slabs fixed in the northern and southern walls of the main hall (mandapa) of the temple. They provide details of the construction of this temple in Saka year 1126 (AD 1204) by two merchant brothers Manyuka and Ahuka. The genealogy of the local rulers, name of the sovereign ruler Jayachandra, names of the architects of the temple, Nayaka son of Asika and Thoduka both from Susarmapura (modern Kangra) and the genealogy of the donor merchants is mentioned in these inscriptions besides the verses in praise of the god Siva. The text and translation of the inscriptions are available on official site of the temple. ^[10]

Baijnath Shiva (Viadyanatha) temple Inscription Saka samvat 1126 (1204 AD)

File:Baijnath Inscription.pdf

Brief description of names and places appearing in text of Inscriptions is given below for ready reference of the readers. Genealogy of Lakshmanachandra is also given in these inscriptions.

1. Bainath Shiva (Viadyanatha) temple (left hand wall of porch) Inscription Saka samvat 1126 (1204 AD) tells mentions:

(V.1 L.2): Salutes Virabhadra too in addition to Shiva

(V.6 L.7): Jayachandra as the overlord of Jalandhara

(V.8 L.9): Two brothers Manyuka (मन्युक) and Ahuka (आहुक)

(V.10 L.10,11): Village Kiragrama (कीरग्राम) in Trigarta (त्रिगर्त), rivulet Binduka (बिन्दुक), Rajanaka Lakshamana (राजानक लक्ष्मण)

(V.11-18): Genealogy Rajanaka Kanda (राजानक कन्द) → Buddha (बुद्ध) → Uddhura (उदधुर ) → Vigraha (विग्रह) → Brahma (ब्रह्म) → Dombaka (डोंबक) → Bhuvana (भुवन) → Kalhana (कल्हण) → Bilhana (बिल्हण) (wife:Lakshanika D/O Hridyachandra of Trigarta) → Rama + Lakshmana

(V.22-23): When Lakshmanachandra's wife Mayatalla was protecting the village Kiragrama, there lived two sons Manyuka and Ahuka sons of merchant Siddha.

(V.28) : Four ancestors of Manyuka and Ahuka - Suhila, Pahila, Kahila and Siddha

(V.31) : Lakshna mother of Rajanaka donated land from village Pralamba to Shiva

(V.34) : Manyuka and Ahuka donated 4 hala cultivable land from village Navagrama for Shiva.

(V.37) : Bhringaka's (भृंगक) son created this eulogy, eulogy engraved by Guhaka of the region of Chabedha (चबेढ़), the land of Shiva.

2. Baijnath Shiva (Viadyanatha) temple (right hand wall of porch) Inscription Saka 1126 AD (1204 AD) of Jayachandra mentions:

V.1-20: Contain eulogy of Shiva and Parvati. No historical content.

V.21: Rajanala Lakshmanachadra

V.22: Pilgrimage to Kedaranatha by him for purifying

V.27: Merchant named Manyuka, S/O Siddha, his mother Chinna

V.28: His younger brother Ahuka, his wife Gulha

V.30: Rich merchant Manyuka

V.31: In Susharmapura lives brahman named Ralhana S/O Asuka

V.32: Donation of two dronas paddy to Shiva from village Navagrama

V.33: Ganeshvara S/O Brahman Govinda donated 2 hala land to temple

V.34: Merchant Jivaka S/O Devika and Malhika donate land to temple

V.35: Shiva temple constructed by Manyuka and Ahuka

V.36-37: Architects Nayaka S/O Asita came from Susharmapura, and so also Thodhuka S/O Sammana

V.38: Poet Rama S/O Shrangara and Bhringaka composed eulogy.

V.39: On the first Lunar Day of the bright fortnight of month Jyeshtha ,when the 80th year has been completed during the reign of Jayachandra, Eulogistic poem composed by Rama on day of Sun. Elapsed year of the Saka era 1126

Notes by Wiki editor - This inscription is important for Jat History for the following reasons:

1. Baijnath is a Jat Gotra

2. Salutes Virabhadra too in addition to Shiva. Both are ancestors of Jats.

3. Jalandhar is named after Jalandhara, a demon king who lived in water as his name suggests Jal (water) and Andhar (in). Others say Jalandhar is derived from the fact that it is located between two rivers Jal and Andhar. In fact we find Andhar as a gotra of Jats, Origin of the which was place called Attock in Sindh.^[11] This way the city was founded by Andhar Jats.

4. Trigarta gave rise to many Jat clans.

5. Rajan (राजन) is a Jat Gotra.

6. Pralamba - Pralamba (प्रलंब) is name of a place mentioned in Ramayana. It was part of Bijnor and Garhwal region. Mahabharata mentions Pralamba as an Asura who was killed by Balarama. Parlya Jat clan is derived from Pralamba.

7. Bharangar (भरंगर) is a Jat clan. Bhringaka's (भृंगक) son created this eulogy.

8. The eulogy engraved by Guhaka of the region of Chabedha (चबेढ़), the land of Shiva. Chaba (चाबा) is a Jat clan.

8. Brahma (ब्रह्म) is a Jat clan.

9. The statues at Baijnath Shiva Temple includes that of Shiva defeating Asura Andhaka. Andhaka (अंधक) was a janapda known to Panini and mentioned in Mahabharata. Various Jat clans have originated from Andhaka.

Laxman Burdak (talk) 16:53, 27 March 2022 (UTC)

Other short inscriptions at Baijnath

Besides these two inscriptions there are a number of short inscriptions engraved on the pillars in the main hall of the temple. Most of them are of late date written in Takari script and local pahari dialect. They record the names of various donors and pilgrims, such as Bhatta Durgadasa, Bhatta Prabhakara, Thakur Parmaaraka son of Thakur Karama Simha, etc. One inscription gives the name of Nagarakota i.e. Kangra. Since the purpose of these inscriptions is not recorded it is difficult to give any definite view. Of special interest is an inscription on the wooden doors of the sanctum dated in samvat 1840 (AD 1783) of the time of Sansara Chandra II, when extensive repairs were carried out to the temple. ^[12] Besides these two inscriptions there are a number of short inscriptions engraved on the pillars in the main hall of the temple. Most of them are of late date written in Takari script and local pahari dialect. They record the names of various donors and pilgrims, such as Bhatta Durgadasa, Bhatta Prabhakara, Thakur Parmaaraka son of Thakur Karama Simha, etc. One inscription gives the name of Nagarakota i.e. Kangra. Since the purpose of these inscriptions is not recorded it is difficult to give any definite view. Of special interest is an inscription on the wooden doors of the sanctum dated in samvat 1840 (AD 1783) of the time of Sansara Chandra II, when extensive repairs were carried out to the temple. ^[13]

British Archaeologist Alexander Cunningham noticed an inscription of 1786 in the temple referring to its renovations by king Sansara Chandra. An inscription on the wooden doors of the sanctum of the temple provides the date as samvat 1840 (AD 1783) that is very near to Cunningham’s date. The devastating earthquake that shook the entire region of Kangra on 4 th April 1905 also caused damage to the shrine, which has been reported by J. Ph. Vogel and has since been repaired. At present the temple is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India but the performance of worship and rituals are under a local board at Baijnath with SDM as its chairman. The hereditary priests continue to get a share of the offerings.^[14]

बैजनाथ शिव मंदिर

बैजनाथ मंदिर बैजनाथ में स्थित है जो पालमपुर शहर से 16 किमी की दूरी पर है। नागर शैली में बना यह शिव मंदिर है। इसे 1204 ईस्वी में आहुक और मन्युक नामक दो स्थानीय व्यापारियों ने बनवाया था। यह वैद्यनाथ (चिकित्सकों के प्रभु) के रूप में भगवान शिव और वीरभद्र को समर्पित है। मंदिर के गर्भगृह में शिवलिंग है। बाहरी दीवारों पर अनेकों चित्रों की नक्काशी हुई है। मंदिर के बरामदे पर शिलालेख द्वारा मंदिर के निर्माण से पहले शिव के अस्तित्व का संकेत मिलता है। बैजनाथ शिव मंदिर के शिलालेखों से हमें भारतीय इतिहास की महत्वपूर्ण अधिकृत जानकारी मिलती है।

बैजनाथ शिव मंदिर के शिलालेख : मंदिर के मुख्य कक्ष में शिला-फलक चट्टान पर नक्काशित दो लंबे शिलालेख हैं। ये शिलालेख शारदा लिपि में संस्कृत और ताकरी लिपि में स्थानीय बोली पहाड़ी का उपयोग करके लिखे गए हैं। ये शिलालेख भारतीय राष्ट्रीय पंचांग (शक संवत) वर्ष 1126 (यानी 1204 ईस्वी) में कीरग्राम (वर्तमान बैजनाथ) में रहने वाले सिद्ध नामक व्यापारी के पुत्र आहुक और मन्युक नामक दो मंदिर निर्माता व्यापारियों का विवरण देते हैं। प्रलंब नामक गाँव राजनक की माता लक्षणा द्वारा मंदिर को दान में देने का उल्लेख है। बैजनाथ के पास ही स्थित नवाग्राम (वर्तमान नौरी नामक गाँव आहुक और मन्युक द्वारा मंदिर को दान में देने का उल्लेख है। ^[15]

मंदिर के बरामदे में मंडप की दीवारों पर लगाये गए दो शिलालेख बताते हैं कि बिन्दुक नदी (वर्तमान बिनवा नदी) के किनारे स्थित कीरग्राम (वर्तमान बैजनाथ) त्रिगर्त राज्य का भाग था। त्रिगर्त राज्य राजा जयचंद्र के अधीन रवी और सतलज नदियों के बीच स्थित था जिसमें वर्तमान कांगड़ा तथा जलंधर जिले सम्मिलित थे। कीरग्राम का राजनक (सरदार/मुखिया) लक्ष्मणचन्द्र था जो राजा जयचंद्र की माता का संबंधी था। इन शिलालेखों में लक्ष्मणचन्द्र की वंशावली दी गई है। ^[16] इसमें भगवान शिव और वीरभद्र की प्रशंसा, मंदिर निर्माण के समय के शासक राजा जय चन्द्र का नाम, वास्तुकारों के नामों की सूची और दाता व्यापारियों के नाम भी शामिल हैं। अन्य शिलालेख में कांगड़ा जिले के पुराने नाम - नगरकोट का उल्लेख है।^[17]

बैजनाथ शिव मंदिर में प्रतिमाएँ: मंदिर की दीवारों पर कई प्रतिमाएँ बनाई गई हैं। इनमें से कुछ मुर्तियाँ एवं प्रतिमाएं वर्तमान मंदिर से पहले बनी हुई हैं। मंदिर में यह मुर्तियाँ एवं प्रतिमाएँ हैं: भगवान गणेश, भगवान हरिहर (आधा भगवान विष्णु और आधा भगवान शिव), कल्याणसुन्दर (भगवान शिव और देवी पार्वती की शादी) और भगवान शिव द्वारा असुर अन्धक की हार।

बैजनाथ शिव मंदिर पर विकि एडिटर नोट

बैजनाथ शिव मंदिर के शिलालेख जाट इतिहास के लिए बहुत महत्वपूर्ण हैं। विस्तृत टिप्पणी के लिए अंग्रेजी में शिलालेख के नीचे दी गई टीप देखें। हिन्दी में टिप्पणी नीचे दी गई हैं।

1. बैजनाथ एक जाट गोत्र है।

2. बैजनाथ शिव मंदिर के शिलालेख में शिव के साथ वीरभद्र की स्तुति की गई है और ये दोनों ही जाटों के पूर्वज माने गए हैं। दलीपसिंह अहलावत^[18] ने लिखा है...पुरुवंशी राजा वीरभद्र हरद्वार के निकट तलखापुर का राजा था। राजा वीरभद्र शिवजी का अनुयायी था। वीरभद्र की वंशावली राणा धौलपुर जाट नरेश के राजवंश इतिहास से ली गई है जो निम्नलिखित हैं। राजा वीरभद्र के 5 पुत्र और 2 पौत्रों से जो जाटवंश चले (जाट इतिहास पृ० 83 लेखक लेफ्टिनेंट रामसरूप जून) - नहुष → संयाति → वीरभद्र → (1) पौनभद्र (पौनिया या पूनिया गोत्र) (2) कल्हनभद्र (कल्हन गोत्र) (3) अतिसुरभद्र (अंजना गोत्र) (4) जखभद्र (जाखड़ गोत्र) (5) ब्रह्मभद्र (भिमरौलिया गोत्र) (6) दहीभद्र (दहिया गोत्र)

पौनभद्र के नाम से पौनिया (पूनिया) गोत्र चला। यह जाट गोत्र हरयाणा, राजस्थान, बृज, उत्तरप्रदेश, पंजाब तथा पाकिस्तान में फैला हुआ है।

कल्हनभद्र के नाम से कल्हन जाट गोत्र प्रचलित हुआ। इस गोत्र के जाट काठियावाड़ एवं गुजरात में हैं।
अतिसुरभद्र के नाम से अंजना जाट गोत्र प्रचलित हुआ। ये लोग मालवा, मेवाड़ और पाकिस्तान में हैं।
जखभद्र के नाम से जाखड़ जाट गोत्र चला। ये लोग हरयाणा, राजस्थान, पंजाब, कश्मीर और पाकिस्तान में फैले हुए हैं।
ब्रह्मभद्र के नाम से भिमरौलिया जाट गोत्र चला। जाट राणा धौलपुर इसी गोत्र के थे। धौलपुर की राजवंशावली में वीरभद्र से लेकर धौलपुर के नरेशों तक सब राजाओं के नाम लिखे हुए हैं। इस जाट गोत्र के लोग हरयाणा, हरद्वार क्षेत्र, पंजाब, जम्मू-कश्मीर और पाकिस्तान में हैं।
दहीभद्र से दहिया जाट गोत्र प्रचलित हुआ। दहिया जाट हरयाणा, उत्तरप्रदेश, राजस्थान, पंजाब तथा मध्य एशिया में फैले हुए हैं।

3. जलंधर में अंधर के नाम पर जाट गोत्र है।

4. त्रिगर्त राज्य से कई जाट गोत्रों की उत्पत्ति मानी गई है।

5. राजन एक जाट गोत्र है और यहाँ राजनक राजा के लिए प्रयुक्त किया गया है।

6. प्रलंब नामक गाँव राजनक की माता लक्षणा द्वारा मंदिर को दान में देने का उल्लेख है। प्रलंब का उल्लेख रामायण में किया गया है। यह बिजनोर और गढ़वाल क्षेत्रों का भाग था। प्रलंब एक असुर का नाम भी था जो बलराम द्वारा मारा गया था। प्रलंब से जाट गोत्र परल्या निकली है जिससे यह लगता है कि यह एक जाट राज्य था।

7. शिलालेख में भृंगक (Bhringaka) के पुत्र द्वारा महिमा लिखने का उल्लेख है। उल्लेखनीय है कि भरंगर एक जाट गोत्र है।

8. शिलालेख में चबेढ़ नामक भूभाग का उल्लेख है। चाबा एक जाट गोत्र है।

9. शिलालेख की वंशावली में ब्रह्म नामक एक राजा का उल्लेख है जबकि ब्रह्म एक जाट गोत्र है और बमरौलिया नामक जाट गोत्र भी है जो धोलपुर जाट महाराजा का भी गोत्र है।

10. मंदिर में अंधक नामक राजा को शिव द्वारा हराने की मूर्ति लगी है। अंधक एक जाट गोत्र है।

11. पालमपुर के समीप 5 किलोमीटर की दूरी पर चांदपुर गांव के सबसे ऊपर पहाड़ी पर प्राचीन जखणी माता मंदिर स्थित है। स्थानीय गद्दी बोली में जख शब्द का प्रयोग देवता के लिए किया जाता है। देवी के लिए श्रद्धालुओं में इस शब्द से जखणी का रूप लिया जिसका अर्थ है- देवी| इस तथ्य से वीरभद्र के पुत्र जखभद्र के इस क्षेत्र में कभी राज्य करने के प्रमाण मिलते हैं।